I wrote the first draft of this blog post during winter - and despite my longing for blue skies and sun, I knew that, come summertime, I'd be knocked flat by the heat and humidity! If you're as heat intolerant as I am, you might be desperately researching air conditioners to get you through the summer months. (Check out our air conditioner buying guide if you want even more information!)

I'm here to help you decide between portable AC vs window AC units. The short answer is: portable ACs don't work as well, but sometimes they're the only option. Now, let's dig into the details...

Is your old air conditioner getting noisy, or are you sick of how much electricity it guzzles down every summer? Today's energy efficient air conditioner options can help cut down on these costs. Once you know what size air conditioner you need, it's not too hard to figure out what models offer the best energy efficiency.

Which model is the most efficient depends greatly on the size of air conditioner you need, so we won't be making product recommendations in this article. We recommend that you use the Energy Star calculators linked below to sort through products that meet your BTU capacity needs and other must-have features. (For more info on choosing a new AC, check out our air conditioner buying guide.)

There are a lot of things we look forward to in the summer, like the sun setting at 8PM instead of 5PM, but on hot, muggy days you might catch yourself wishing for November! Keeping comfortable with an air conditioner helps us appreciate summer with a little less sweat. Although it can be tempting to grab the closest (and cheapest) air conditioner you can find, figuring out what size air conditioner you need can help you spend your money wisely and get great results.

If you have an old coil top range and are seeking to upgrade it, you should definitely consider one of the many smooth top ranges available. Smooth top ranges have been around for many years now and they offer a great alternative to old coil top models. On the other hand, if you're looking for a cheap electric range that will be easy to repair, a coil top model may still be your best bet.

In this article, we'll go over the pros and cons of a smooth top electric range compared to a coil top range. Check out our range buying guide for more information on buying a new gas or electric kitchen range!

Most of us rely on microwave ovens to quickly reheat and cook foods and beverages throughout our busy day. Whether we're cooking full meals or simply reheating our coffee, we depend on their quick response! If you're looking for a new over the range microwave, Frigidaire and Whirlpool offer nicely featured basic models at reasonable prices. 

Let's take a look at microwave reviews for two top sellers from these famous manufacturers retailing at under $400! (For more info on choosing a new microwave, check out our microwave buying guide!)

Before you head out shopping for a new dishwasher, you probably want to give some consideration to the racks. Dishwasher racks are not something people think about very often but they are something you interact with almost every day! A little education and thought before buying can make your day-to-day experience with your dishwasher much more convenient and enjoyable.

You'll want to consider the materials, configuration, number and style of racks and take into account what you really need. For more info on choosing a new dishwasher, check out our dishwasher buying guide!

People often ask our sales staff - "How quiet is this model?" We try to give the most precise answer that we can by using the decibel (dB) rating. The quietness of a dishwasher wasn't an issue when dishwashers became a staple household appliance in the 1970s, but today consumers are willing to pay more for appliances that operate quietly. Bosch was the first to offer quieter models in the early 2000s, and other brands were quick to follow as demand rose.

We once had a salesman who I heard telling customers many times that the washer he was selling was the "Laundromat Model." Although he was talking about Speed Queen, which is a commercial grade top load washer, this could also be said about the front load washers of today because many of us remember only seeing them in the laundromat for many years before they hit the consumer appliance market.

Grilling has become more popular these days as families and friends find comfort in cooking outdoors for one another and some find it a relaxing change in routine from the daily grind. But a grill that's seen better days can stress you out even more - Won't ignite? Burner knobs broken? Cooking grates rusted? Lid falls off? 

Even though you don’t want to part with your trusty old friend, there are new grills out there that will provide much more enjoyment for you and your family and friends. Go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to a grill of your dreams - one that won’t need to be bandaged up before you can make dinner.

In this blog we will talk about the features and differences of two industry-leading grills from Napoleon and Weber. These are top-of-the-line models with a ton of great features and grilling power!

Even if an energy efficient model isn't at the top of your list of features when buying a new appliance, appliances that operate more efficiently can be a great deal for your wallet by reducing utility costs. We've all seen those blue Energy Star stickers on various appliances, from refrigerators to washing machines - but what do they actually mean? We'll explore the different meanings of Energy Star ratings on different appliances so you can see if the benefits are worth considering for your next appliance buying adventure.