This post is the latest in the series “How long do appliances last?” They’re written in a style I learned in journalism, called “By The Numbers,” which was often just another way to say “I need to take up space and do something visual.” Voila.
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The number of years in an average washing machine’s life span, according to data published by Appliance Magazine in 2010. The life span reflects how long the first owner of a washer used it, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it broke down, but it still offers a fair estimate for today’s shoppers.
392
The number of loads washed annually by the average washer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s about seven and a half loads per week.
$750
Average price of an Energy Star washer, according to national retail data from 2009.
$492
Average price of a standard washing maching in 2009.
4.7
Amount of years it takes for the lower operations costs of an Energy Star washer to make up, or “pay back,” for the initial sticker price difference.
30%
Overall savings of an Energy Star washer over its expected lifetime.
Dramatization. Warners' Stellian responsibly recycles all replaced appliances.
Replacing a broken down appliance ranks among our least favorite situations as a retailer, because our customers might not be so excited to getting a new refrigerator as we would hope. Instead, these shoppers meet us in many points along the appliance mourning spectrum (denial, anger, bargaining, depression).
I recall countless conversations consoling those bereaved, especially, of more “recent” appliance purchases — which, though a bit longer than 10 years ago, struck owners as not lasting as long as they should. Or certainly, not as long as “the old one.”
“They just don’t make ‘em like they used to,” I offer, and most agree and move into the last stage of appliance grief: acceptance.
What we didn’t generally get into was how they make ‘em today. Specifically, how long should your appliances last?
Over the next few (indeterminate unit of time), I will get into that. And I will throw in some other fun number factoids (bonus!).
OK, so maybe we didn’t exactly star, but the past two mornings, Warners’ Stellian has been working with crews shooting footage that will air in two episodes of DIY Network’s “Rehab Addict,” which airs Thursday nights at 9 with new episodes beginning Jan. 20. (See our photos on Facebook.)
Joe Warner and Nicole discuss steam laundry. It's a big deal.
The rehab addict herself, Nicole Curtis, is fixing up a big old house in the Tangletown neighborhood of Minneapolis, for which she came and picked out some appliances at Warners’ Stellian-Edina on Tuesday.
The production crew films Dave and Brian placing the Frigidaire 36" gas range in the kitchen.
Our crews delivered her selections Wednesday to a beautiful custom kitchen of white, solid-wood cabinetry, marble countertops, an apron front sink (etc., etc., etc.).
Our delivery guys Dave and Brian truly enjoyed being in front of the cameras and shared some laughs with the production crew, as well.
Nicole will be holding an educational-type event at a Warners’ Stellian showroom in the next couple months, so stand by!
Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota “Trade-in & Save” Appliance Rebate Program. Currently, all rebate funds for this program have been reserved. However, you may choose to add your name to a waiting list. In the event additional funds become available, wait listed rebate applications will be processed in the order they are received. To add your name to the waiting list, complete the online reservation, print your confirmation page and follow the instructions listed on the confirmation page. Qualifying purchases made on or after March 1, 2010 are eligible for a rebate. Please note that you must make the appliance purchase before applying for the rebate.
That’s all she wrote.
I hope our customers got the lion’s share of these rebates. And being that they’re smart enough to buy from us, I’m confident that they did
Did any of you get one this morning? How did you find out about the relaunch?
To get your rebate, go to www.mnappliancerebate.com or call 1-877-230-9119. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, but you cannot apply for a rebate until you have made an eligible purchase. So you better hurry, before you miss out for the second time! (At the time of this blog, more than $500,000 in rebate funds remained, with about one-quarter being used.)
Despite an early winter storm with record-breaking snowfall of nearly 8 inches, determined deal-hunters turned out in droves to save hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars.
Shoppers lined up Saturday before 6 a.m. — in the falling snow — drinking coffee served by president Jeff Warner and his niece Meg. After the doors opened at 7, people slapped SOLD tags on anything from a replacement microwave to a full, pro-style kitchen with steam laundry.
Still, the weather slowed our traffic a bit from normal warehouse sale levels, which meant two things:
Fewer cookies eaten by customers and more cookies eaten by those of us working as cashiers (oops!)
A bunch of discount appliances still need good homes
Even if you were deterred by the weather (or the Vikes) and couldn’t make it out to us this time, you can still help these lonely appliances by taking advantage of the low prices on our leftover inventory. Appliances will be making their way back to our stores, especially our Minneapolis appliance outlet.
Thanks to everyone who made this another successful sale. Everyone in our company pitched in for this, so the appreciation ran deep from our employees to our customers.
On a personal note, I realized once again why this sale is my absolute favorite day to work all year. I met so many of our great customers, who shared their stories and excitement with me — it’s really a treat for me, so thank you
We’ll have thousands of appliance deals on hand for Warners’ Stellian’s (now-famous) Extreme Warehouse Sale, taking place 7 a.m. to 5 :30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14.
No matter how many people come to our warehouse sale door this week and call our sales line, there’s absolutely no early shopping allowed. But…I can give you a sneak peek of the deals smart shoppers will be snapping up at our St. Paul appliance warehouse (550 Atwater Circle, 1 miles north of I-94 & Dale).
All prices are good only while quantities last. Prices shown for electric dryers; gas dryers extra.
Save $300 on this Energy Star Frigidaire front-load washer (3.5 cu. ft) and dryer (7 cu. ft with moisture sensor). $799.
Save $400 on this Energy Star LG washer (4.2 cu. ft) and dryer (7.3 cu. ft) for $1,999.
Save $700 on this Energy Star rated Whirlpool steam washer and dryer for $1,299.
Save $150 on this Energy Star GE dishwasher in stainless steel for $349
Save $300 on this Maytag dishwasher with stainless steel interior and exterior finish for $499
Save $200 on this stainless steel Frigidaire gas range with electronic oven controls for $399.
Save $200 on this stainless steel Frigidaire refrigerator for $499. Model #FRT18IS6JS features: 18.2 cu. ft capacity, glass shelves and icemaker. 66 1/8" H, 29 5/8" W, 29 7/8" D
Save $300 on this Energy Star LG refrigerator for $899 (white/black) or $1,099 (stainless steel). Features a 19.7 cu. ft. capacity with glass shelves and an icemaker. 68 7/16" H, 29 7/8" W, 31 3/4" D
More deals
Save $1,000 on Electrolux steam laundry pairs
Up to 80% off professional built-in cooking
Only $999 for LG 4-door refrigerators
Bosch dishwasher truckload sale
Save $150 on Dyson refurbished vacuums, only $299
Up to 30% off Frigidaire blemished freezers
Plus, additional rebates and factory warranties apply
With the official start of hot dish season Thursday, the migration of cooks inside from their grills to their ranges commences.
At least that’s what I’m cooking. Sure, a couple times a year, we clear out the racks to accommodate a turkey and ham. Or you might be a bread-baker. (I’m more of a meatloaf-maker, myself.)
But I’d venture that most of you most the time need the height of just one rack.
So why do you need to use such a big oven all time? You don’t, which is we’re seeing more kitchens with double oven ranges and more brands making them. Using the smaller oven means you preheat faster, use less energy and, best of all, don’t have to bend down so far to put in/pull out your pans.
Here’s a roundup:
Maytag Gemini Gas Double Oven Range
Jenn-Air Dual Fuel Double Oven Convection Range
Jenn-Air Electric Double Oven Range
Frigidaire Gallery Gas Double Oven Range FGGF304DLF
So easy, a baby could fix it! (I know, cheap excuse to indulge my "photos of babies playing in appliances" habit.)
I won’t necessarily admit that I hate my dishwasher lately, but I will project some anxieties onto blog readers via a dishwasher troubleshooting roundup (!!!).
Whether your dishwasher leaves you with cloudy dishes, wet dishes or still-dirty dishes, my top 4 blogs about dishwasher problems should contain your remedy.
Note: Tell me why you’d like to go to AIA-MN’s Homes By Architects Tour in the comments by 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 for a chance to score a pair of tickets. I’ll probably choose at random, unless someone writes a super good comment.
The article talks about how the homeowners worked with Nguyen Architects to open up their fixer-upper Lake Minnetonka home, including adding priceless views to their “cave-like kitchen”:
The most dramatic improvement is that Jen can look at the lake through massive picture windows while she chops veggies.
I guess that’s the benefit of working with an architect (and living on Lake Minnetonka) — changing a sore spot into a functional, thoughtful and of course, beautiful, space.
We supplied the appliances for this gorgeous project, as well as those in the kitchen of the No. 9 home.
Get a video sneak peak of this European-inspired kitchen from Carla Warner and architect Rosemary McMonigal, AIA, of McMonigal Architects LLC:
Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door. Plus, we’re giving you several chances to win a pair of tickets (see note above and our Twitter and Facebook) prior to this weekend.
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