DirectBuy Articles - Direct Buy Home Remodeling & Decorating » Refrigerators

Home Appliances: Considering Designs and Energy Efficiency

Home Pro — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:41:46 +0000

Most consumers struggle to narrow down their choices when shopping for household appliances. Before entering a store, it is a good idea to make a choice based on style and energy efficiency.

Different Types of Appliance Styles

Nearly every major household appliance is available in different styles and designs that reflect appeal and function. For example, refrigerators are available in French Door, Side by Side, Top Freezer and Bottom Freezer designs. Each type has a different combination of total capacity and overall layout of shelves and storage space.

Similarly, a laundry room appliance such as a washer or dryer could be top or front loading, or even a stackable combination. Each design reflects personal preference for loading and unloading laundry or saving floor space.

Smart Homeowners Go For Energy Efficiency

The best appliances have Energy Star ratings which could save homeowners plenty of money on monthly energy bills. The yellow Energy Guide label shows a rough estimate of the yearly savings on electricity, gas, and water. Speaking of energy, it is also important to choose between an appliance that is powered by electricity or gas, such as ovens and drying machines.

At the end of the day, an appliance should reflect a household’s need, budget on utility bills, and personal preference of aesthetic appeal. DirectBuy offers a wide selection of kitchen appliances, kitchen furniture, kitchen cabinets, and many other brand-name kitchen remodeling products from leading manufacturers at confidential insider prices.

Remodel a Green Kitchen

Home Pro — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:05:33 +0000

Thinking about kitchen remodeling? You are about to embark upon one of the most expensive remodeling projects in any home. Extensive planning beforehand can not only save money, it can also lead up to a kitchen that you will be proud to share with family and friends and where you will enjoy preparing meals.

Think Green

A green kitchen works for you and the environment by reducing maintenance and utility bills and by utilizing renewable or recycled materials. Cork and bamboo are renewable resources for flooring materials. Bamboo is also a beautiful wood for cabinets. Cork is harvested from the bark of trees every seven years without harming the trees. Bamboo stands benefit from being thinned allowing more bamboo to grow.

Green Appliances

Cook tops and ovens are available that save up to half the energy used by conventional models. Air conditioners typically use more energy than any appliance in the house, refrigerators come in second. Energy Star-rated refrigerators consume from 10 to 50 percent less energy than conventional models. Energy Star dishwashers can use less water than hand washing.

Your kitchen remodeling will last for a long time, why not make it green and save on utility bills? DirectBuy offers a wide range of brand-name products to help you create a comfortable and environmentally-friendly home. You can purchase appliances , furniture , flooring and more at wholesale prices that will save up to 50% off retail.

Upgrade Your Kitchen With New Appliances

Home Pro — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:28:18 +0000

Rather than remodel your entire kitchen, which can be a costly and time consuming project, consider purchasing a few new key items than can drastically change the look, feel, and flow of your kitchen. New appliances can give your kitchen an updated appearance.

Appliances to Upgrade the Look

Many people consider their cupboards and kitchen tools to be permanent fixtures in their kitchen. However, it can be quite simple to slide out old items, and slide in new ones. Switching your fridge, oven, and microwave from an outdated white to a modern stainless steel look gives the entire kitchen an instant makeover. This can be cheaper than redoing the floors, cupboards, and painting the walls, but makes the whole room look brighter and more up to date.

Improve the Flow of Your Kitchen

A few new appliances can really make life simpler in the kitchen. Consider upgrading a refrigerator to a new one with larger doors, greater freezer space, and an ice dispenser for those hot summer days. An induction stovemight be just the thing to cut down your energy bills, as each burner is more efficient and uses less energy to heat food.Purchasing just a few new key items can quickly and easily revamp the look of your entire kitchen!

Kitchen remodeling is easier when you shop at DirectBuy where you will find brand-name products –appliances, flooring, countertops, kitchen cabinets and more – all at savings of up to 50% off retail.

Adding the Right Refrigerator

Home Pro — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:34:54 +0000

A refrigerator is arguably the most important household appliance because it operates continuously and is opened and closed dozens of times a day. Since it is the most used home appliance, it is worth having one that is durable and energy efficient, but also stylish.

Considering Energy Efficiency

Installing new appliances is a major part of home remodeling as well as kitchen remodeling. A new refrigerator will most likely be the most expensive appliance investment, but it is worth it in the long term. Given that a refrigerator uses electricity 24 hours a day, it is important to get one that is energy-efficient.

An Energy Star rating will guarantee that an appliance uses minimum power and therefore reduces utility costs. The most energy efficient refrigerators are those that have separate cooling systems in the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Additionally, there could be low power modes when a fridge is not used often such as at night.

Other Important Features

The capacity of a refrigerator is perhaps the major factor that determines whether a homeowner will buy it. Some of the largest capacities available today are up to 29 cubic feet, enough for a family of at least five people. Spill-proof glass shelves, ice makers, water filters, and humidity controls are some other important features of modern refrigerators.

The Best Choice

So as you can see, there is a lot that goes into making a decision to ensure you get the right refrigerator for your home. Add one that is durable enough to last many years and stylish enough to accentuate your kitchen decor.

DirectBuy offers a wide selection of kitchen appliances, kitchen furniture, kitchen cabinets, and many other brand-name kitchen remodeling products from leading manufacturers at confidential insider prices.

Home Remodeling With New Appliances

Home Pro — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:02:58 +0000

Home remodeling does not necessarily mean renovations or structural changes. Adding new appliances can have a major impact in a home, enough to be considered a remodeling job.

It’s All About Energy Efficiency

A true 21st century home should be energy efficient. Homeowners could join the green revolution by replacing old appliances with more efficient ones. The energy star rating is the most important indicator of the energy efficiency of an appliance. Buyers should pay close attention to the technical specifications of the wattage usage of an appliance. Another way to be energy smart is to use an appliance that requires the minimum household needs.

For example, it would be wasteful to buy a 27 cubic feet capacity refrigerator for a family of three. Similarly, homeowners should consider the capacities of washing machines and dryers. Also, these laundry room machines use the latest technology for quicker cycles and better results than older types.

Interior Design

An appliance can be integrated into the interior design of a home. In the kitchen, some popular color themes for contemporary interior designs include stainless steel, white, and black. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, stoves, and ranges are widely available in these popular colors. A French door refrigerator can add a completely different appeal than a traditional top mount fridge. For the laundry room, washers and dryers are available in unique bright colors such as blue and red. Energy savings and improved interior appeal are the major benefits of such home remodeling.

When you need home appliances and other home accessories, DirectBuy has a wonderful selection for you to choose from. You can purchase most everything you need for home improvement at prices that can save up to 50% off retail.

How to Clean Behind Your Refrigerator

Home Pro — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:32:29 +0000

It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it: clean behind the refrigerator. While it’s not the easiest and most pleasant household task, it’s a good idea to do it occasionally to prevent build-up. Just the follow the steps outlined below and you’ll be done in no time!

Pull the refrigerator out so you can really clean the areas you can’t frequently get to.
Wipe the sides of the refrigerator down with a gentle cleaning solution.
Sweep behind the refrigerator to get rid of any dust bunnies and crumbs.
Mop behind the refrigerator, especially if you have had spills around the fridge.
Wipe down the wall behind the refrigerator then let it dry.
Put the refrigerator back in its place.

Cleaning behind your refrigerator on a routine basis can prevent dust and grime from building-up behind one of the most important kitchen appliances in your home and makes for a more sanitary environment.

DirectBuy carries a large selection of brand-name kitchen stoves, ovens and appliances at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. A one-stop shop for all your home building, furnishing and remodeling needs, DirectBuy has virtually everything – including the kitchen sink – for in and around your home

Complete Your Kitchen Project With The Right Appliances

Directpro — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:00:25 +0000

Kitchen remodeling projects take time and planning to complete successfully, but many homeowners forget an important component — kitchen appliances. Just as much time and thought should be spent on kitchen appliances, because they are the workhorse of the kitchen: They refrigerate, prepare and cook food.

DirectBuy carries a large selection of brand-name kitchen appliances direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. A one-stop shop for all your furnishing, home building and remodeling needs, DirectBuy has virtually everything – including the kitchen sink – for in and around your home.

Refrigerators: Make sure the new refrigerators fits your new kitchen measurements. The refrigerators must be in proper scale with the rest of the kitchen, and it must fit under new cabinets.

Dishwashers: New models offer many more options than ever, and come in many finishes to complement the new kitchen.

Ovens: There are many choices to choose from, such as wall ovens that are separate from cooktops and give cooks many cooking areas instead of just one. Double ovens save space and deliver more baking capacity. Two-oven stoves with ovens below the cooking surface and at cabinet height provide plenty of extra cooking room.

How To Pick The Right Refrigerator For Your New Kitchen

Directpro — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:58:57 +0000

Today’s kitchen refrigerators come with many different options: 18-cubic foot with freezers on top, side-by-side refrigerators with water and ice dispensers built into the door and commercial, stainless steel models.

Determine the right type of refrigerator for your needs.

Make sure the refrigerator fits the size of your family. Plan on 12 cubic feet for two people and 2 additional cubic feet for each household member. For large households, kitchen refrigerators with a lot of room may be the best choice because they are large enough for storage.

Consider the Options

Some models have pull-out, roll-out bins and with individually-controlled shelves for meat and vegetables that make food storage easier and more convenient. Customize your refrigerator with features that will make your choice the most convenient for your family.

DirectBuy carries a large selection of kitchen appliances at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. The product specialists at DirectBuy can help you find unique solutions for your kitchen whether it’s appliances or other remodeling needs.