At last you have your very own home and the time has come to fill it with much-needed appliances. However, before blowing any budget, it is worth thinking about the items that will prove most useful for your new home; there will be certain appliances that are a must and those that can possibly wait until more budget becomes available.
To avoid going over the top, these five appliances should help you settle into your new home much easier.
5 Appliances every new home owner should own
1. Lawnmower
For homeowners with a grassed garden, a lawnmower should be top of the list when moving into a new home. And, when it comes to choosing a lawnmower - be it petrol, electrical or cordless - it is worth investing in one for the long haul. For a list of top rated lawnmowers click
here.
2. TV
The most exciting part of owning your own home is having a sanctuary - your lounge - and an impressive TV to boot! Imagine your favourite Netflix programme on wide screen with epic sound. Depending on your living room space, the world is your oyster when it comes to size and shape. It is worth remembering that smaller TV’s tend to use less energy, so if you’re not one for entertaining, then consider a smaller TV. You can find out more about television efficiency
here.
3. Washing machine / dryer
A less exciting yet crucial appliance for any home is a washing machine and, should your budget allow it, a built-in dryer or separate dryer might be something to consider as well. Before buying your washing appliance, do check that it has the option of an economy cycle so your energy bills are kept as low as possible.
A study by Which found that using a washing machine with an economy cycle can reduce both energy and water usage by an average of 18%, so when it comes to buying these appliances, be sure to check their efficiency value.
4. Kettle
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that can make your day a little bit easier, and a good brew is one of them. Whether you’re a tea or coffee lover, or perhaps you’re partial to a mug of hot chocolate, the kettle is the go to morning, noon and night for many. Consider investing in an ECO kettle and only boil what you need.
The average UK household boils the kettle 1,500 times a year (approx. 4 times a day), so do take some time to get the right kettle, as you’re going to be using it a lot in your new home - there’s a good chance that boiling the kettle will be the first thing you will do in your new home.
5. Fridge - freezer
There are of course a long list of fridge and freezers to choose from and, before buying any, it is worth considering what your use for them is first. For instance, if you are likely to use your fridge more than your freezer then a fridge freezer combo could be an option. Alternatively, a side-by-side fridge freezer might prove better or a separate fridge and freezer entirely.
As your fridge - freezer is always on, it can prove to be a real drain on your electricity, albeit an important one. Do your research and find energy efficient refrigeration appliances that will help to reduce your energy usage. While there may be more of an initial outlay here, long term, you can expect to make decent energy savings. Check out this report from Which to find out more about the best energy efficient fridge – freezers on the market.
What are your favourite household appliances?
Investing in eco-friendly and energy efficient appliances can be a great way to live smarter around your home. Let us know your favourite household appliances over on the Electric Ireland NI Facebook and Twitter pages using #SmarterLiving.