A house wouldn’t be a home without a kitchen. And the kitchen wouldn’t be a kitchen without the home appliances in it, which is why protecting the kitchen—and the investments of kitchen appliances—matters.

When it comes to kitchen appliances and protecting them from high repair costs later on, what is important to know?

Is it better to buy a refrigerator from Costco or Home Depot?

French doors. Side-by-side. Bottom freezers. Top freezers. Fingerprint resistant stainless steel. These days, refrigerator options are endless—and so is the research on the best places to buy one.

Buying a refrigerator from Home Depot comes with a warranty service from the authorized appliance provider. The warranty of, say, the 36 in. W 21 cu. ft. Side-By-Side Whirlpool Refrigerator in Fingerprint Resistant Stainless-Steel offers warranty coverage for one year from the date of purchase.

Though shopping at Costco requires members to pay an annual membership fee, refrigerator costs at Costco are more affordable. Plus, Costco extends a similar provider-authorized appliance warranty, from one-year to up to two years. With savings and increased warranty protection, Costco members score the better deal.

What is the best home appliance brand?

According to the J.D. Power 2017 Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Study, LG and Samsung rank as the highest home appliance brands on the market. Factors like performance, reliability, ease of use, features, styling and appearance, price and warranty were all taken into consideration.

J.D. Power 2017 Award Recipients are as follows:

• French Door Refrigerator: LG


• Side-by-Side Refrigerator: Samsung


• Top Mount Freezer, Two Door Refrigerator: LG


• Freestanding Range: LG


• Dishwasher: LG

Is Whirlpool Appliances a good brand?

Homeowners want appliances that can withstand daily usage, year after year. So, do Whirlpool appliances hold up to high performance and efficiency standards sought after by today’s homeowner?

Whirlpool, an American company, is one of the world’s largest home appliance manufacturers and marketers. In both style and performance, Whirlpool receives high marks for reliability—especially when it comes to refrigerators. Even ice makers, known by homeowners to be a finicky and troublesome subsystem within the refrigerator, built by Whirlpool garner high praise.

Which is the best kitchen appliance and why?

Obviously, North Americans love their kitchen appliances. Household appliance consumption in the United States and Canada is forecasted to jump from $84.43 billion (U.S. dollars) in 2014 to nearly $115 billion (U.S. dollars) by 2020.

Refrigerators are necessities, while dishwashers and microwaves are convenient, but which popular appliances do homeowners love most? Blenders, slow cookers, stand mixers, espresso machines, food processors, toaster ovens, wine coolers and soda makers add simplicity and convenience, making these the latest must-have countertop appliances.

Of course, depending on your love (or addiction!) to a daily cup of java, coffee makers may be on the list of non-negotiable appliance must-haves for certain households.

What does a home warranty cover?

As mentioned in the 2017 Compare Home Warranty Quotes Homeowner’s Guide, fewer things are more important than protecting your family and your investments. After all, your home is the biggest investment you make.

Home warranties, also known as home service contracts, allow homeowners to prepare for unplanned repair costs. When the refrigerator stops working and when the washing machine breaks, do you have $1,000 in the bank to buy a new one?

This can be a major setback for any home budget.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans do not have enough in their savings to cover the cost of these unplanned expenses.

A home service contract offers coverage for appliances that almost all homeowners will eventually need to repair or replace, due to daily and frequent use. Home service contracts also include service call visits for contracted repair work.

*What else does a home warranty cover? Watch this short YouTube video to learn more, and decide if a home warranty is worth it for you and your home. *

What factors should be considered when purchasing an appliance?

New appliances come with warranties (true manufacturer warranties, as well as service contracts that retailers offer at the checkout counter), but homeowners who choose to hold onto aging appliances can decrease their exposure to high repair costs by finding a home warranty that covers these possible (and probable) expenses related to home appliances.

A viable way to know if you as a homeowner need home warranty coverage or not is to check your appliances and home systems in the Home Maintenance Calculator. It helps you know with certainty if investing in a home warranty is a great option based on the age of your specific home appliances.

When buying appliances, homeowners should act strategically. Be clear on which warranties cover the appliance, proactively maintain the appliance throughout the years to extend the shelf life, and decide if a home warranty is the right choice for you for extended appliance warranty coverage.

*There’s more to learn! For additional information on how to choose a home warranty, watch this short YouTube video. *