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Written By Ally Sabatina
Buying a new appliance shouldn’t be a spur of the moment decision, especially if your household relies on it every day. As such, it’s important to plan ahead, do your research, and purchase a home warranty plan if you’re looking to save as much money as possible when you have to buy or replace an appliance.
Believe it or not, it’s better to buy certain appliances during specific months. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all best time to buy for all appliances, so spreading out your purchases strategically can protect your budget and give you the best deal.
In the spring, you’ll generally find the best deal on refrigerators and large electronics, whereas the fall is better for large appliances. In the winter, you may see more promotions for ranges and ovens. It can also be a good time to buy an air conditioner, as it’s the off season and some retailers may run promotions to attract new clients.
Time of Year | Appliance |
May–June | Refrigerators and other large electronics |
September–November | Washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters |
December–February | Ranges/ovens, air conditioners |
The worst time to buy a new appliance is when you’re desperate and don’t have the luxury of waiting for a sale or shopping around. It can also be bad to buy a new appliance during its first release, as it won’t have customer reviews to back up its marketing claims. To avoid surprises later, we recommend keeping track of all your appliances’ ages. .
Even the best-made appliances have a finite lifespan, so it can be a good idea to maintain a sinking fund for approximately the cost of replacing each appliance as its lifespan nears the end.
System or appliance | Lifespan (in years) |
Air conditioner | 10–13 |
Dishwasher | 9 |
Electric boiler | 13 |
Electric furnace | 15 |
Electric oven | 13 |
Electric range | 13 |
Gas boiler | 21 |
Gas furnace | 18 |
Refrigerator | 12 |
Washer-dryer set | 10–13 |
It’s no secret that retail stores launch significant sale events on holiday weekends. Black Friday is often considered the best time to shop for appliances, but deals can be had on several holiday weekends. Some notable sales holidays include:
However, consumers should still pay careful attention to the sticker price, even when retailers advertise low prices. Some sellers markup the price at a sale event but slap on a sticker that advertises 25% off. You may think you’re getting a steal, but you’ve been misled.
Pro Tip: If you anticipate a purchase, keep tabs on appliance prices throughout the year. Pick a few models and retailers. Note the MSRP or the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and compare it to each retailer’s sticker price. Then, when the item goes on sale during a holiday weekend, you’ll have a good idea of whether or not the advertised price is a good deal.
While holiday weekends and sales events can offer competitive prices, many experts say the deals start around July and get better until they peak a few weeks before Black Friday, when new releases hit the market.
If you are expecting a big-ticket appliance purchase in the next calendar year, start your research now, begin saving, and prepare to purchase two to four weeks after Labor Day weekend for the best deals. Similarly, you can subscribe to manufacturers’ and Big Box newsletters. You may get a great deal on the last model year after the new one debuts.
Small appliances, like toasters, coffee makers, and microwaves, tend to go on sale right after the holidays as Americans begin their home improvement and organization projects. If you anticipate one of your appliances malfunctioning later in the year or you’ve held out on purchasing until now, buying at the end of the year can preempt more expensive purchases.
One of the best ways you can protect your budget––and your sanity––is with a home warranty. While home warranties aren’t free, purchasing an annual plan can spread your payments into reasonable monthly installments. When you file a claim, you’ll have to pay a service call fee, but after that, many of the costs to repair or replace your appliance will be covered up to the limit outlined in your policy. Our Appliance Guard and Total Home Guard plans cover up to $2,000 per item, significantly reducing your costs and stress when an unexpected breakdown happens due to normal wear and tear.
Request a custom quote to learn more about our coverage options.