by David Morrison
Shopping for appliances for us means shopping for our two family residence. We usually look first at Home Depot and Sears to see what is out there. It is confusing. Whoever imagined candy apple red washer and dryer sets, stainless steel side by side refrigerators the size of bookcases or in black?
We wanted to shop Energy Star rated appliances. Even so the ratings are based on 2007 costs of eleven cents a KWH. We pay nineteen cents. We ended up at Walcott where we usually buy our appliances.
Size was the deciding factor for the upstairs refrigerator. Space was limited by an overhead cabinet. We opted for the deluxe interior with glass shelves and a vanilla exterior instead of the black model with stainless steel front and plastic shelves. Downstairs we went with a familiar layout and freezer on top.
The clothes washer was another matter. I have wanted a front loader for years believing it would save water. But even sales people were reluctant or had switched back from front loaders. The new top loaders have a sixth sense. They weigh your clothes, use just enough water and almost spin clothes dry. In the end I selected the most economical “high efficiency top load model” because it had control knobs. As a person with low vision the selection came down to the one I could use. We did not pay double for the flight control panel model with a one thousand rpm spin. As Martha says “David helps with the laundry”. That says it all.
The good choice must not be the enemy of the best…or “it depends”.
Life is too short. Next time shop with us for replacement toilets. Our water bills dictate action.
Regrets: The dishwasher purchased with a plastic control panel. Plastic push levers do not hold up.
The stainless steel model with touch screen does. I simply use a locator dot to identify the wash cycle and Wash On. Martha is happy. So it took three years. Who is counting.
Another regret: We delayed sending in the paperwork on one rebate item. It expired three weeks after the purchase date. I am told, in general, ninety percent of mail in store rebate forms are not mailed in.
Why Walcott? Fewer choices helped us. They have good quality appliances and an excellent repair referral service that keeps us coming back.
Join me in tea and conversation any time to continue the dialogue.
How about you? What works for you? What stories do you have to share on the road to a simpler life?
Green Sanctuary Committee
The Green Sanctuary Committee is charged with informing the members about environmental issues and helping to transform individual lives and the church’s building and programs so that we can all reduce our carbon footprint and avert greater environmental desecration.