When is the best time to buy appliances?

Refrigerators

When your fridge starts to fail, you run the risk of mold, milk spoilage and freezer overdrive. This essential piece of equipment keeps your kitchen going, and finding a new one can put a major dent in your pocket. Plan ahead for this purchase; don’t let necessity force you into a pricey purchase. With some research, you can find the best deals on refrigerators.

How to know when it's dying

• It’s warmer than usual
• Your food spoils quickly
• The fridge gathers condensation on the inside surfaces
• The freezer is running too cold and freezing food
• The fridge is over 15 years old

When to buy it

May. This month is when new refrigerator models start showing up in appliance stores. In order to make room for these new models, stores often have a refrigerator sale on their year-old fridges.

Quick tip: Two things to know before you go to the store: which side your fridge’s door swings on and how large the unit is. Use your measuring tape to get the exact measurements: depth, height and width. Check out our refrigerators guide for more ideas

Ovens, ranges and stoves

Wherever there’s baking, frying, sauteing or boiling, you’ll find an oven or a stove. These powerful appliances are built to distribute large amounts of high heat, and this puts them at huge risk for failure when that heat gets out of hand. If you have to replace a stove or oven out of pocket, you’ll want to keep an eye out for good deals.

How to know when they’re dying

• Items do not cook or bake in the amount of time they should
• Electric stove shows error codes on the display screen
• Gas stove fails to ignite the burners
• Glass on the oven door is cracked
• The range is over 15 years old

When to buy it

January. At the beginning of the year, stores offload their old models of large appliances to make room for new products. This will help you get the best prices for appliances.

Quick tip: Consider whether a gas or electric range would be best for your needs. Switching heat sources might be a good way to save money on your utility bill. Check out our ranges, ovens and stoves guide for more ideas.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers were once thought to be a luxury but now they are pretty much a household necessity. This time-saving kitchen appliance can be pricey, but you can find the best deal on a dishwasher if you know what you’re looking for.

How to know when it's dying

• The door doesn’t latch
• Water pools after a wash
• Dishes aren’t clean or aren’t hot after a wash
• It’s starting to rust or crack
• The appliance is over 10 years old

When to buy it

November. As Black Friday approaches, appliance stores will start marking down their appliances. Dishwasher sales will often be advertised before Black Friday so you don’t have to fight the crowds.

Quick tip: Know what dishwasher capacity you need and the dimensions of your kitchen before heading to the store. Energy Star dishwashers are a great way to save energy and money. Check out our dishwasher guide for more ideas.

Small kitchen appliances

When your microwave, blender, toaster oven, coffee maker or juicer starts to break down, your kitchen loses a small, but essential, piece of functioning power. If you do your research and make these purchases at the right time, you could save 20 to 30 percent off the listed price.

How to know when they’re dying

• Microwave: The unit emits sparks, smoke or unusual noise, doesn’t cook food properly
• Blender: The blade doesn’t turn or turns slowly, the engine whines or smokes when turned on
• Toaster oven: The unit doesn’t heat up, emits smoke or makes an unusual noise
• Coffee maker: The unit only makes steam, doesn’t heat water before it drips
• Juicer: The unit doesn’t turn on, the unit turns on but doesn’t produce juice

When to buy it

November and December. Stores often have small kitchen appliance sales during the holiday season to sell product off in large numbers before new models arrive.

Quick tip: Don’t just consider your budget when you make these purchases. Do research on the appliances you need to see which appliances fit your kitchens in terms of size, power, convenience and fashion. Check out our appliances guide for more ideas.

Washers and dryers

Few mishaps slow down a busy household quite like a broken washing machine. If you’re not able to budget “run to the laundromat every hour” into your day planner, you’ll want to invest in a quality machine at the right time.

How to know when they’re dying

• Washer leaks or rattles excessively
• Washer won’t fill up with water
• Dryer failure to heat up enough to dry clothes
• Dryer gets excessively hot
• Units are more than 10 years old

When to buy it

September and October. This is the best time to find washer and dryer deals. Stores will discount their older washers and dryers to make room for new models.

Quick tip: Find Energy Star labeled appliances to keep utility costs down, and consider purchasing high-capacity units to consolidate your laundry cycles. Check out our washers and dryers guide for more ideas.

Vacuums

Vacuum cleaners are a huge help when they’re working well, but they’re a nightmare when they’re not. You probably don’t want to sweep your carpet with a broom for the rest of your life, so find the best vacuum cleaner deal, and weigh your options carefully.

How to know when it's dying

• The vacuum won’t switch on
• The engine overheats and shuts itself off
• A mess is left behind while cleaning
• The vacuum emits a harsh smell after replacing filters
• The vacuum is over 20 years old

When to buy it

March and April. The concept of “spring cleaning” brings many consumers to appliance stores, and these stores lower prices on vacuums anywhere from 20 to 40 percent to move more product.

Quick tip: Be sure to try the vacuum out in the store, using it as you would in your own home. Check the weight to make sure you can comfortably lift the unit. Check out our vacuums guide for more ideas.

Seasonal appliances

Appliances that are used during certain times of the year have long off-seasons. If you catch a store while the demand for a certain appliances is low, you can usually find savings of more than $100 on high-priced items.

How to know when they’re dying

• Air conditioners: The unit can’t keep your home cool or is over 10 years old
• Space heaters: The unit is overheating, not heating up or emits smoke
• Gas grills: Heat or flames are uneven, ignitor button fails to create heat

When to buy it

• Air conditioners and heaters: Spring or fall. When houses in your area aren’t using either their air conditioner or their heater, HVAC companies don’t have as much business as usual. Look for units during this time to find a air conditioner sale.
• Gas grills: September or October. Stores will slowly lower their prices on gas grills as the summer comes to a close. Look for advertised gas grill sales at your local appliance stores.

Quick tips: Make sure these items have a long-lasting warranty when you purchase them. Check out our grills guide and our air conditioners guide for more ideas.

Quick tips for buying appliances

Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to try to knock the price down a few notches. Price points on large appliances are, like the prices of cars and houses, subject to change. Bring in competitor’s ads and ask if they can match the price.

Shop during the week
Show up during the week instead of a weekend, when businesses are packed. On a weekday, you’re more likely to get good service, which can put you in a better position to do some price negotiating.

Shop at the end of the month
Often the employees of these stores work on commission. The end of the month is a good time to hunt down deals, as employees are trying to fill sales quotas.

Shop around holidays
Most large stores hold appliance sales during major holiday weekends like President’s Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving. Do your research and, if you can handle the crowds, you’ll find great prices around these times.

Bottom line

Your house is too important to make split-second purchasing decisions on these necessary items. Thinking ahead and knowing the best time to buy appliances can secure your home’s future, as well as your finances, for years to come.