Tips for buying smart appliances - Carolina Country

Smart Insights About Buying Smart Appliances

Six tips to help you decide on the smart appliance that’s right for you

By  Scott Flood

Smart Insights About Buying Smart Appliances

The holidays always usher in a spate of sales, but retailers often continue running discounts on home appliances at year-end. If a smart appliance has caught your eye, keep these tips in mind when checking out features.

Assessing needs

Begin with an honest look at how you live and consider the role your current appliances play in your daily routine. Would the capabilities of a smart appliance make your life easier? For example, if you frequently forget to start the laundry or your dishwasher, Wi-Fi enabled appliances with remote start capabilities may save you time and trouble. But if you’re thinking about stepping up to a smart appliance because it has a cool feature you might use once a year, ask yourself if it’s worth the extra cost.

Next, think about any smart devices you already use in your home. Make sure they’re compatible with the smart appliance’s operating system, so you can get all the benefits you expect. For example, many of these appliances are engineered to work with familiar voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri. Incompatible systems might limit your ability to use the features that are most important to you.

Smart appliance demands

Is your home’s infrastructure ready to handle the demands of a smart appliance? Depending upon the model you choose, it might require anything from a basic internet connection to a home Wi-Fi network to provide the operation you expect. Some smart appliances may require Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave or other systems for connectivity. Others have the ability to receive software updates via Wi-Fi. Having access to the right technology ensures your system will function correctly and be able to handle updates as they become available.

Smart appliances that are Energy Star® certified meet or exceed federal energy efficiency standards and some may use only half as much energy as standard appliances.

It’s always important to consider energy efficiency when purchasing a new appliance. Most smart appliances are designed to reduce energy consumption, with operating modes that deliver the performance you want while making more efficient use of energy. Smart appliances that are Energy Star® certified meet or exceed federal energy efficiency standards and some may use only half as much energy as standard appliances. Many let you schedule operations during times of day when energy rates are lower. That’s particularly beneficial with high-energy appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and clothes dryers.

Repairs to smart appliances can be expensive, so be sure to consider the warranty. Generous manufacturer warranties demonstrate the company’s confidence in the quality of its products.

Staying safe and secure

Finally, because most smart appliances are connected to the internet, make sure you think about privacy and security. Research the manufacturer’s privacy policies and security features to ensure that data like your voice commands and shopping habits don’t fall into the wrong hands. Making sure the manufacturer takes your privacy and online safety as seriously as you do is a smart strategy.

For most homeowners, the biggest downside to smart appliances is that they carry a higher price tag than their not-so-smart counterparts. However, price is just one factor in the cost of any appliance. When you also consider the long-term value smart appliances deliver — whether that’s in energy savings, helpful conveniences or improved reliability — most will save you money over their service life. In addition, smart appliances may be eligible for rebates and tax incentives, so ask your retailer what’s available.

There was a time when appliances changed little from decade to decade. Today, products advance more quickly than ever before, and we can expect to see more big changes ahead. Fortunately, today’s smart appliances give you a way to start using the technology that will make you the envy of your neighbors as it makes your life easier.

About the Author

 Scott Flood, for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

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