Ovens - When shopping for an oven, your first decision should be whether you want a gas oven or an electric. This decision is based on your cooking preferences. Also, consider the type of cleaning process it uses. Standard ovens will have to be cleaned manually, but there are now self-cleaning ovens with programmable settings, which use high temperatures to clean off any residue. You can also get continuous cleaning ovens that absorb or burn off splatters, making it even more convenient.

Refrigerators - As a rule of thumb, plan on purchasing 8-10 cubic feet of space for a family of two, then add an additional cubic foot of space for each family member. Remember that refrigerators with freezers on top are generally more energy-efficient than those with side-freezers.

Dishwashers - Always find out the amount of water a dishwasher uses for every different cycle. Features that reduce water usage are very important. The new stainless-steel models can improve energy efficiency during drying cycles and allows for higher water temperatures as well.

Ventilation Hoods - The fan will be the most important factor here. Axial fans are inexpensive but not as powerful as centrifugal fans. Also, tempered glass light lenses in a ventilation hood is essential. They are tougher than plastic lenses, so they will last longer. You should also consider buying one with a low sone number. Sones measure the noise level created by air-moving appliances, and the lower the sone number, the quieter it is.

Garbage Disposal Systems - There are a few things to consider when you want to buy a garbage disposal. Think of how many meals per week are prepared in your kitchen, how often you entertain, and the importance of quiet operation and long product life. Find out also if your kitchen is hooked up to a septic or water system.

Air Conditioners - Check the energy tag attached to the unit and consider the energy efficiency. The EER numbers range from a minimum of eight to a maximum of 12. You'll want to look for high EER numbers. After this, you also need to consider the space of the room you'll be putting the air conditioner in, as well as your budget. Do you need to cool the whole room? Does the weather change a lot where I'm located? The answers will help you find a suitable model that will fit your needs. Try to match the unit's cooling capacity with the size of the room. According to the Department of Energy, air conditioner size should be determined by multiplying the room's square feet by 20.

Water Heaters - Again, energy efficiency is the important factor here. The EnergyGuide label gives you two important pieces of information when you're comparing different brands and models: estimated energy consumption and estimated yearly operating costs. Use this information to determine which models are the most energy efficient. As for tank size, it refers to the number of gallons of water that the water heater can hold. The more gallons you need per hour, the larger the tank must be. Of course there are also tank-less systems which heat water as you need it. Tankless water systems are powered by either electricity or gas and turn off when not in use. However, they cannot be expected to supply you with large amounts of hot water at any given time.

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