Uncovering New Trends in Appliances

No time is better than the New Year to look ahead and uncover new trends in appliance design and technology. As technology continues to advance, so do the features that will make our lives easier. Here’s a preview of what’s to come in 2009.

What to look for

We’ll see more electronics and computers incorporated into appliance design than ever before. Better control systems will help you maximize appliance features while saving time and money.

Refrigerators
Look for refrigerators with door and temperature alarms, digital readouts and multiple sensor controls. More sophisticated insulation systems will help alleviate energy loss and improve overall performance. Updated water filtration systems in refrigerator door dispensers are on-trend in 2009.

Convection ovens
Convection ovens not only cook more quickly, they also use less energy than traditional ovens. One of my favorite new appliances is a microwave with a convection oven option. Instead of heating your conventional oven (and your kitchen), you can cook a smaller portion in the microwave without sacrificing crispness on the outside and juiciness on the inside.

Laundry
Advanced controls and cycles are changing the way you'll do laundry. These changes will save you money and energy, and will improve overall performance and efficiency. Cycles are more adaptable to different types of clothes, the size of the loads and different types of soils. They dispense detergent and softening agents at just the right time, limiting unnecessary use of water, detergent and energy.

Dryer controls continue to improve; sensors stop the drying process and don't waste energy once clothes are dry or ready to hang.

Ventilation systems
Old, noisy bath exhaust fans will be replaced with quieter versions that circulate air to the outside of the home. These systems will help limit moisture that can be trapped in homes throughout the winter months, thus improving your indoor home environment.

Heat pumps
A new technology utilizes air, water and the ground to generate energy for homes, creating a more efficient heating system and comfortable living space for homeowners.

Thermostats
Digital programmable thermostats will become more common and easier to use in American households in 2009.

Lighting
Compact fluorescent lighting is now replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs. LED technology – the future of lighting – will soon be used indoors in new homes. LED uses one tenth the energy of an incandescent and lasts 10 times longer.

Where to look

With the challenging economy, we need to carefully consider any major purchases. Do your research to make the most of your investment. I subscribe to many trade journals to stay on top of the latest trends. For my clients, I recommend skimming these articles a few times a year to learn more about the products they are considering. Try Consumer Reports, Family Handyman, Popular Science, and Fine Homebuilding.

Also, do research online by looking at appliance-related websites that have reviews and ratings, so you can make the best purchase decision for your home and family. Check on Kenmore.com, Sears.com and other appliance sites.

Tom's Top Tip: Read your appliance guide thoroughly after purchasing. I continue to learn new and exciting things about my appliances and their features that I didn't know when I first bought them.