Whether you are setting up your first home or you are looking to freshen things up, choosing the right appliances is as important for your comfort and safety as everything else.  Appliances and furniture share an almost interdependent relationship – one can’t go without the other.

But after spending however much money on a deposit, signing documents, house hunting and closing the deal itself, you might be tight on money and tempted to dip into your savings to buy the necessary appliances. But you do not necessarily have to do that, as there are companies such as Aaron’s Rental Services that allow clients to rent furniture and appliances. Here a is a quick guide on how to properly equip your home with appliances.

Write Down a List of What You Will Need

The first step is writing down any appliance, whether major or not, that you think you will need on a day to day basis. While you could just buy them by memory, we all know how easy it is to misremember things. You can check an in-depth online aarons rental services guide to get a clearer picture about how to comprise a list of essentials before renting or buying the required appliances. But in the hopes of making your choice easier, here is a brief list of all the major, as well as secondary appliances that every home should have.

For the kitchen, you will need the following things:

• Major Appliances – microwave oven, refrigerator with freezer, clothes washer and dryer, range and cooktop oven, dishwasher (entirely optional), freezer (also optional).
• Accessories and countertop appliances – toaster, toaster oven, electric kettle, coffeemaker, blender, mixer.
• Cooking implements – while you will not need anything fancy, it is a good idea to have a few basic items such as frying pans, roasting pans, stockpots, saucepans, and steamers.
• Kitchen utensils – spice racks, silicone spatulas, canister sets, wooden spoons, spider skimmers, whisk, strainers.
• Serving and dishware – forks, spoons, dishes, small and big bowls, coffee mugs, teacups, serving platters to accommodate guests

For basic house care and maintenance, it is a good idea to have a vacuum cleaner, broom, dustpan, brush, as well as a bucket and a couple of mops. Finally, make sure you have enough bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, bed sheets, blankets, and tablecloths to accommodate the needs of your family and potential guests.

Determine Your Budget How Much Space You Have

The next big step is determining how much space you have in your house. The majority of appliances, especially refrigerators and dishwaters, will take a lot of your space, and you do not want to cram them all together, especially if you are facing spatial constraints. Therefore, for convenience’s sake, do not bother considering appliances that will not fit. You can find out more about how to improve the workflow of your kitchen here.

After doing the proper measurements and having a broad idea of what appliances you will need to serve your day to day needs, it is time to set a budget. As we have mentioned in the introduction of this guide, assuming you are a new homeowner, the whole house buying process has probably taken a large part of your finances. Naturally, the best thing you could do is abstaining yourself from picking any fancy appliances and focus on those with day to day utility.

Another thing to consider is the fact that a high price is not necessarily correlated 

 

with high quality. Thankfully, in this day and age, it is quite easy to find guides and reviews for every single product on the internet.

Going further with the budget issue, while it might be tempting to just buy the appliances, there are a few companies on the market that allow clients to rent (or lease) their products for a predetermined period of time. For example, Aaron’s Rental has one of the best business models in this respect. After the leasing period ends, the product, regardless of the type, is yours to own permanently.

As for the renting prices, they vary according to your location and the availability of said products on the local market. To give a brief example, if you live in and around the city of New York and want to purchase a portable dishwasher, the monthly payment will range around 120 dollars over the span of 12 months.

Figure out The Logistics

The next, and final step, is to figure out the logistics of equipping the house with appliances. The logistics include factors such as transportation, installation, testing, setup, the associated costs, whether or not you will need to rent a truck or move the appliances using your personal car, and so on and so forth.

Fortunately, Aaron’s Rental Services will help you avoid this entire process altogether. The leasing contract includes free transportation, testing, and installation of any type of product, whether we are talking about a refrigerator or something as simple to set up as a microwave. The employees are trained to assist clients with these things, except setting up water and gas connections, a task which you will have to handle on your own. By doing this, you could save the money that you would have spent on transportation and invest it in other things, like better furniture.

Conclusion

After purchasing or moving into a new house, the next big step is choosing and installing appliances to serve your day to day needs. Although some might deem this process as being quite stressful and arduous, with patience and careful planning, it could turn into an exciting activity. Make sure to read through this brief guide, and you will get a clear idea of what you need to do.

Buying a new mattress involves determining the level of firmness you need, the kind and size of mattress you want and even scrutinizing the quality of construction. Consumers are also advised to check the warranty. But what’s in a mattress warranty, anyway?

You’ve got manufacturers selling products with warranties up to 30 years. That’s surely impressive and would make one whip out their payment card right away and purchase a mattress right then and there. According to the National Sleep Foundation however, most mattresses have a lifespan of 8 years, which means that you may have to replace your mattress way before the warranty expires.

Does this mean that a mattress with a 10-year warranty is enough? Let’s delve into what a mattress warranty really is about.

Mattress Warranties

Written warranties are not required by law but they do come with most major purchases like a mattress. With written warranties, the Federal Trade Commission recommends checking the following:

• Length and coverage of the warranty – when does it begin and expire, and just what does the warranty cover? What are the conditions that may make the coverage void?
• Warranty contact information – if you need your mattress repaired or replaced,a or have any questions about the warranty, who do you need to contact, the manufacturer or the seller?
• Action in case of product problems – will your mattress be repaired or replaced, or will you get a refund instead? What do you need to do to have it done? Will the company shoulder the cost of transporting the mattress for replacement or repair?

There are also implied warranties, which are created by state law and is required in all states. According to the FTC, if there are issues in your mattress that are not covered by the written warranty, you may investigate the protection provided by the implied warranty. An implied warranty means that the manufacturer or seller guarantees that a product does what it is supposed to.

Warranty and Life Expectancy

The length of the warranty validity doesn’t equate with the lifespan of the mattress. Most written warranties are valid for at least five years but a 30-year warranty doesn’t mean your mattress will last that long in the same condition you bought it – unless you never use it.

The life expectancy of your mattress will depend on several factors such as its original quality and usage. A mattress that is used regularly, even if properly maintained, will still wear out before the warranty expires.

Usual coverage

A standard mattress warranty usually covers manufacturing defects, not damage from use or the normal wear and tear. A typical warranty may cover body indentations or premature sagging (up to a depth of 1.5 inches), which is often the result of faulty inner springs or other manufacturing defect. Other physical defects covered under warranty may include broken or protruding coils or wires, irregular bunching, torn handles and seams that come undone.

The terms and conditions of a mattress warranty would vary among different mattress companies. You need to check and understand the conditions of a warranty before purchase. If something needs clarification, it’s best to ask the manufacturer directly and have it explained in writing.

Furnaces are usually turned on high during colder months. Changing the furnace filters on time is necessary to keep the heating system running in good condition. Here are some of the benefits of timely replacement of the furnace filters:

• Cleaner, healthier air

 

A clean filter allows conditioned air to flow into your home. Filters also trap already existing pollutants from indoor air.

• Optimum air temperature

A clogged filter restricts proper airflow. An insufficient flow of clean air can make indoor air to become stuffy. This can be a huge problem especially when you have guests over at your house.

• Furnace performance

Poorly maintained filters cause unwanted particles to build up on the heater’s components. This interferes with the overall performance of the heating system. Replacement of furnace filters at the right time ensures that the heater will last longer and with lower maintenance.

Signs that your filter needs replacement

The following signs indicate that your furnace filter needs replacement:

• A change in color
• Indoor Stuffiness
• Dustier indoors

Factors that might influence the frequency of furnace filter replacement

The frequency at which furnace filters might need to be replaced can vary in different homes due to these factors:

Type of the filter

• The thickness of your filter

Filters come with different thicknesses. Keeping the other factors discussed below in mind, thicker filters last for a longer time without needing replacement.

• Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value(MERV)

Filters with higher MERV ratings trap more dust particles from the air. They need more frequent replacement than those with a lower rating.  

How dusty is your area

Some locations are dustier than others. If your home is more prevalent to dust from the immediate environment, then you might need to change the filter more often.

• Time to change the filter: In an area with dusty conditions, one or two-inch filters must not exceed a period of one month without replacement. Thicker filters of about four or five inches can be replaced after three months. The thicker filters can last up to a year without replacement in less dusty areas.

Furry pets

That’s right! Your furry friend can influence how often you need to change the furnace filter. This is because fur may sometimes clog the furnace filters thus damaging them.

• Time to change the filter: People with pets should go for the thicker filters and replace them after every three months. If you have one pet can, you can replace the filter after six months.

Indoor smoking

As mentioned earlier, filters trap pollutants from the air. Indoor smoking means that the furnace filters will block faster. Most people also keep the door or windows open when smoking. This let’s additional dirt and dust inside the house.

• Time to change the filter: a higher frequency of indoor smoking reduces the lifespan of your filter.  A thick filter can last for up to twelve months in a household with no smoker. This same filter will need replacement after three months in a household with smokers.

 

Allergies and respiratory conditions

People with allergies and respiratory conditions might need to replace their filters more often.

It’s no secret that being a homeowner is one of the most satisfying accomplishment’s in one’s life. But being the master of your own domain isn’t always a walk in the park. While having residential security and stability is a relaxing thought, you also have additional responsibilities. Therefore, taking care of issues such as plumbing comes with the territory.

Plumbing from A to Z

If you were thinking about attempting a DYI project or two in your household, then it’s essential to possess the adequate amount of knowledge to guide your steps. Here are some of the essential plumb terms to know from A to Z, or rather from A to Y as there is no structure in the field pertaining to the alphabet’s last letter.

ABS

According to ThePlumbingInfo, ABS stands for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, and it is used to construct rigid plastic pipes for drains, vents and waste removal. However, the code of most metropolitan areas no longer approves of it, so make sure to consult the one for your area.

Ballcock

The ballcock is an essential valve in the construction of a toilet tank because it controls its refill. A metal arm connects it to the float. Thus, once the water level gets high enough, the valve is shut off to prevent overflooding.

Cleanout

Sometimes vents, drains, or pipes get all sorts of debris caught inside of them, which creates an obstruction. The cleanout is a plug that is built into them so that clearing said clog becomes accessible, quick and easy.

Downpipe

The downpipe conveys storm water for the gutter and roof. In order to achieve this, it is built in a vertical manner so that it allows for proper drainage to ensue. It is also known as a downspout, and it’s indispensable for the structural integrity of a home.

Elbow

 

Also known as an ell, an elbow is a fitting with two openings that is used for changing the direction of a pipe line. Its angles vary from 22 ½° all the way to 90°, allowing for the construction intricacies of a building to be followed specifically.

Flange

The flange of a pipe is the curved end of the shaft which allows for two segments to be connected to one another. It can also be used to anchor them to the floor. It is a crucial term to be aware of when attempting to construct a pipe system.

Gasket

Creating a watertight seal between the joints of an installation is something that you should always focus on. A gasket comes in handy here because it is a rubber or flat fiber component which allows for two metal sections to be fastened together.

Interceptor

Our sewage can sometimes be riddled with undesirable or even hazardous materials. This is where the interceptor comes in. This device is specifically designed to retain such toxic discharge so that normal liquid waste can be disposed of.

Overflow Tube

The overflow tube is a toilet’s safety system for when the ballcock fails. This vertical component directs the water straight from the tank to the bowl so that external leakage is avoided. When it is activated, the toilet will sound like it’s constantly running.

Sump Pump

Usually located in a home’s basement, the sump pump collects the water around the foundation and redirects it as far away from it as possible. Thus, it is essential for the structural integrity of any living space.

Trap

A drain line’s trap consists of a curved section that retains a small amount of water in it called a trap seal. Its purpose is to prevent sewage odors from permeating one’s home. Fixtures with drains usually have a P-trap installed, while toilets have an S-trap.

Union

Always used with steel pipes that are non-DMV, the union allows for two sections to be disconnected without having to cut the tube. Thus, they are joined and maintain their wholeness, yet separate at the same time.

WYE

More intricate piping systems require fittings that handle their creation with ease. For such purposes, components like the WYE fitting exist. It is Y-shaped, thus having three openings that allow for branch lines to be put together.

Yoke Vent

When waste stacks and vent stacks meet, compression can be created between them. This is because odors and gases escape through the top. A yoke vent is thus placed at the junction so that pressure changes are avoided in the area, thus preventing serious damage.  

The Bottom Line

These are but a few of the plumbing terms that you need to be familiar with in order to understand how water enters and exits your home. Being able to see the bigger picture in this is an important first step towards finding solutions on our own. As it is the case with many other fields, knowledge is power when it comes to home repairs.