Buying Guides & Articles:Major Appliances

Washers have become more energy-efficient over the last 10 years. Recently, some manufacturers took shortcuts to meet the federal energy standards-they lowered the water... Read more

Low prices and high efficiency make room air conditioners an inexpensive alternative to central air for cooling one or two rooms... Read more

If you choose a cooktop and wall oven combination, you can choose between two types of cooktops: electric or a gas... Read more

Keep high-tech in perspective. Wall oven models with special baking modes don't necessarily outperform more basic models... Read more

Dryers are pretty basic and differ mostly in size and features. Your space constraints will probably dictate the types of clothes dryers you can consider... Read more

Stand-alone ranges are best for kitchens where you're simply replacing a range or where the range is the centerpiece, as with professional-style ranges... Read more

Generally, the more you spend, the more features you can expect. But some aren't worth the extra expense... Read more

Flexibility is the biggest reason to trade the usual range for a cooktop and wall oven... Read more

Most room models are designed to fit double-hung windows. Some fit casement and slider windows, and some are made for through-the-wall installation... Read more

Dishwashers are using less water as manufacturers strive to meet tougher federal energy standards... Read more