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Buying Guide - Microwave Ovens

Inside the oven, a magnetron tube produces microwaves, which are radio waves. The waves enter the oven through an opening in the oven cavity. Since microwaves move in a straight line, many ovens employ turntables to rotate food so that it cooks evenly. When buying a microwave, consider: The number of people for whom you normally cook and whether the microwave oven will be your primary cooking source. You will need a larger and more powerful unit for a family than you will for just one person. The size of your cookware. Will it fit in the oven? And if you are planning more advanced cooking, do you need defrost, cook, and keep-warm options...
Choosing A Cooktop

Many models of both gas and electric cooktops have the exact same countertop cutout, so planning and designing your new kitchen has never been easier: Cooktops today are easier to clean, better looking and offer more cooking flexibility (more precise temperature control, for example) versus the cooktops from only a few years ago. Ceramic cooktops are available in gas and electric. The edge of the cooktop is frameless, so it won't trap food and be difficult to clean. Cooktops have available accessories, such as interchangeable burners and grids for grilling. Downdraft exhaust is available on some electric and gas models. A downdraft cooktop is perfect for a kitchen island with no overhead exhaust...
Choosing A Range

Three styles of ranges are available. To select a range style best for your kitchen will depend on the kitchen's design: Freestanding ranges have finished sides and controls on the backsplash. Slide-In ranges have a seamless built-in look with controls on the front of the range. Drop-In ranges have unfinished sides and may require cabinet modification for a tight fit. Controls are on the front of the range. Choose a Range Top: Electric or Gas? If you are replacing a range, you will more than likely replace it with the same type of range. If you are choosing a range in new construction, here is some additional information to consider when choosing between electric and gas.Electric Ranges. Electric ranges are available in coil element and smoothtop designs. Sizes range from 20" to 36"...
Choosing Your ENERGY STAR® Appliance

In 1992, the CEPA introduced ENERGY STAR® as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce pollution. ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 66 percent less energy and/or water than standard models without sacrificing the features and quality you expect. All major home appliances must meet minimum energy conservation standards set by the Canadian Department of Energy (CDOE). ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances beat the standard and use even less energy and cost less to operate. According to the CEPA and Canadian Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances can save 20 to 30 percent in energy costs over the course of one year...
Guide To Buying A Clothes Washer

The biggest trend in washers today is the front-load machine (also known as H-axis). These washers open from the front, like a commercial washer in a Laundromat. In contrast, a traditional washer (V-axis) opens from the top. How to buy the best washer depends on your space and needs. For buying a clothes washer, keep in mind each type has specific features: Can be stacked with a dryer on top to conserve space. Spins clothes faster than a top-load, extracting more water. This saves energy (and money), because it allows you to dry a load of clothes in a shorter amount of time. Uses a wash process that is more gentle on clothing. Requires a special type of detergent made for front-load machines. These detergents are becoming more common on grocery store shelves, but they might not be available everywhere. They also might cost a little more...
How To Buy A Freezer

Lowe's carries freezers that range from 5.5 cubic feet up to 25 cubic feet. To determine the needs of your household, consider the following: How big is your family? The more folks you feed, the more food you need. Multiple the number of people in the family by 1.5 cubic feet. What are your food shopping habits? Do you buy food, especially meat, in bulk packages to save money? A cubic foot of freezer space holds about 35 pounds of food. Does your family pre-prepare food in bulk? Farmers, gardeners and hunters may have more need for a freezer than city apartment dwellers. How much space do you have for a freezer...
How To Select A Dryer

All dryers spin clothes around and blow hot air on them. How to select a dryer depends on your needs. The details are what drive the choice of a machine: Energy source: Whether you choose a gas dryer or an electric one will be based largely on what kind of hookup is available at the new dryer's location. Gas appliances usually cost slightly more initially, but tend to be more energy- efficient. A leading consumer affairs magazine estimates that a gas dryer costs 30 cents less per load to operate. Capacity: Since manufacturers define capacity differently, one "extra large" dryer might not be the same as another.When choosing what dryer to buy, compare capacity using the cubic foot measurement...
Lowe's Guide To Buying A Dishwasher

The key to getting dishes clean is using very hot water. Some dishwashers have a device that raises the temperature of the water coming out of your water heater. Another feature you'll like is a built-in food disposer. It grinds up food particles and flushes them out with the waste water. So they won't end up re-deposited on your dishes. Check the size of the spray holes on the wash arms. The smaller the holes are, the more scrubbing power they provide your dishwasher. Check to be certain the dishwasher offers the cycles you need for the types of dishes you have. From pots and pans to fine china and crystal there's a cycle for just about anything...
Lowe's Refrigerator Buying Guide

Perhaps the most important consideration when buying a refrigerator is the capacity. Two people generally need eight to ten cubic feet of fresh food storage, and you should add an extra cubic foot for each additional person in your family. Buying a refrigerator that is the right size is important. If you buy a refrigerator that is too big and don't keep it filled, it wastes energy and costs more to operate. Avoid buying a refrigerator that's too small, you waste time constantly rearranging food in the refrigerator, trying to make it all fit. Another important factor to consider is how much space you have available in your kitchen to match the size of the refrigerator you buy. You need to measure the width and depth of the refrigerator with the doors open....
Water Heater Buying Guide

Storage tank water heaters are the most common type and the best water heater to buy. These units have an insulated tank where water is heated and stored until it is needed. They are available in electric, liquid propane (LP) and natural gas models. Natural gas and LP water heaters normally use less energy and are less expensive to operate than electric models of the same size. Storage tank water heaters are designated by the amount of water they hold, in gallons. Tank size is one of the major considerations when purchasing one of these water heaters. If you intend to use a storage tank water heater, use our chart as a guide to finding the size you need.Another consideration for storage tank water heaters is recovery rate...