In every family, the kitchen is a prime gathering spot. It truly is the heart of the home. Investing in your kitchen is without a doubt a wise decision. Here are a few things to consider to make it a welcoming meeting spot.

A guide to buying the best home appliances | Multi-Prêts Mortgages

For a refrigerator

  • Temperature accuracy, for both the refrigerator and the freezer
  • The colour and the finish
  • Thermal insulation in case of a power outage
  • Low noise emissions
  • Size, especially depth
  • The ergonomics to put away your food
  • The water dispenser and ice machine, if applicable
  • The freezer’s location:
    ・ A top drawer offers better access to the frozen food and usually has adjustable shelves.
    ・ A lower drawer is more energy-efficient given its proximity to the appliance’s compressor. It is, however, not as easy to put away your food.
    ・ A freezer paired with a double-door refrigerator offers more storage space, but takes up a lot of room because of its width. It’s ideal for large families and spacious kitchens.

Looking for eco-friendly spring cleaning tips? Click here.

A guide to buying the best home appliances | Multi-Prêts Mortgages

For a stove

  • The stove’s heat accuracy and distribution
  • The speed with which the oven and the elements heat up
  • The power source and energy consumption:
    ・ The electric stove is the most eco-friendly option.
    ・ Gas isn’t quite as eco-friendly, as it doesn’t qualify for the EnerGuide rating. It is, however, appreciated for the quality of the cooking it provides.
    ・ The stoves that are currently being sold are all quite eco-friendly. For additional assurance, rely on the EnerGuide rating.
  • The type of surface and its efficiency:
    ・ The induction surface is the most recommended, both for its energy efficiency and its heating speed
    ・ Glass ceramic surfaces are the top sellers, but are not as efficient as an induction surface
    ・ Coil stoves are the least efficient, but the most affordable.
  • Stove options, their performance and ease of use (cooking, convection, grill, self-cleaning)
A guide to buying the best home appliances | Multi-Prêts Mortgages

For the dishwasher

  • Cleaning efficiency:
    ・ Ability to remove tough stains
    ・ Drying cycle that eliminates any trace of water on the dishes
  • Washing capacity and different cycles available
  • Low noise emissions
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Consumption, both water and energy

For a kitchen with a harmonious decor, read our article on kitchen countertops.

Also considering giving your laundry room a little makeover? Here’s how to make smart purchases when shopping for your next appliances.

A guide to buying the best home appliances | Multi-Prêts Mortgages

For the washing machine

  • Choose a high-efficiency (HE) model. Not only are they eco-friendly, they also don’t damage fabrics
  • Spin cycle efficiency
  • Low noise emissions
  • Load capacity
  • Front or top loading:
    ・ Front-loading washers are more expensive, but have a superior load capacity and are more eco-friendly than top-loading washers.
    ・ Top-loading washers are more affordable than front-loading ones. They allow you to add in clothing even once the cycle has started.

For the dryer

  • Load capacity
  • Number of cycles available
    ・ Delicate, fast and anti-wrinkle cycles have all proven to be useful.
    ・ Pay special attention to the temperature for each cycle. Generally speaking, the faster the cycle, the higher the temperature.
  • The hygrometer
    ・ Appliances that track the humidity level rather than the temperature can be interesting.
    ・ They end the cycle as soon as the clothes are dry, which reduces the wear on clothing and prevents static electricity.
  • Use of steam
    ・ Useful to reduce odours, wrinkles and static electricity.

Buying high-performance appliances seriously improves a house’s energy efficiency. This will definitely please the environmental conscience of the next generation of future buyers.

Do you think about renovating your home? Contact a Multi-Prets broker and learn more about our refinancing solutions for home improvements.