Tips for buying household appliances

The bigger the appliance, the bigger the investment - this also applies to household appliances. What to look out for and why used appliances can be good for the balance sheet in two ways.

They make our lives easier, as long as they are not broken: Coffee machines, dishwashers, blenders - we all use electrical household appliances every day, and kitchen gadgets are often given as gifts, especially at Christmas.

A new appliance is not always necessary: around 60 percent of electrical appliances that are handed in at recycling centers are actually fully functional, says Philip Heldt, resource protection officer at the NRW consumer advice center. "This means that a lot is sorted out even though it's not even broken. That's a huge waste."

If you want to buy a new household appliance, you can pay attention to these points:

Repairability:

For quite a few appliances such as fridges, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, televisions, vacuum cleaners, repairability is a requirement under the EU Ecodesign Directive. However, not all of them can be repaired equally well. This is because "the business models of most manufacturers are geared towards making profits by selling new goods rather than durable and repairable products", according to the Federal Environment Agency.

"If appliances don't last long or are quickly replaced because they don't work properly, this is of course the opposite of sustainability," says Michael Morys from Stiftung Warentest.

If you want to buy a new appliance that conserves resources - ideally also your own finances - you should therefore check whether it is easy to repair when you buy it. Tests by Stiftung Warentest, for example, in which repairability is a criterion, can help here. This also includes whether the supplier has affordable spare parts available in the long term.

Energy efficiency:

Another important factor is energy efficiency. "It is often the case that very energy-efficient appliances are slightly more expensive," says Philip Heldt. "But if you do the math, it's clear that the cost savings from the energy savings are higher than the slightly higher purchase price, at least for large appliances." So when it comes to refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., it pays to buy the more energy-efficient appliance.

Consumer advocate Heldt advises giving preference to appliances with a power cable, even for smaller household appliances. "A rechargeable battery is always a weak point. This means that this appliance will automatically fail after three to four years because the battery is broken." Especially in the kitchen, there are usually enough sockets for operation.

Price:

Special offers and promotional goods are tempting, especially when an appliance is broken and expensive to repair. Philip Heldt advises caution here: the really cheap appliances are also cheaply made. "There is a lack of eco-design or components are not made as robust." Such cheap goods usually break down more quickly.

Buying second-hand and refurbished devices:

If you still need or want to save money, you can still do so. "Used household appliances are often much cheaper to buy than new ones. In addition to saving money, buying second-hand also benefits the environment," says product tester Michael Morys. "If one less appliance is produced for a second-hand purchase, this saves resources."

It makes a difference whether you buy from a retailer or a private individual. Morys: "Unlike private second-hand purchases, refurbished providers promise that they have professionally checked and refurbished the devices."

You can therefore assume that they will work well and last a while, says Philip Heldt. You usually have to pay for the extra security, as the devices are generally more expensive than those sold privately. Private sellers can exclude any warranty, dealers are bound by the warranty obligation.

Used and tested goods are not only offered by specialist companies, but also by second-hand department stores such as waste disposal companies or charities.

What else is important:

"Well-known brands and the price level may be indicators of value and durability, but the handling and use of the device during ongoing operation is still crucial for its long service life," says the German Electrical and Digital Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI).

"As a consumer, I can also extend the service life of my appliance in part by maintaining it well and using it in accordance with the supplier's recommendations," says Michael Morys. White goods, i.e. dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators, last between 12 and 15 years, according to consumer advocate Heldt. Some designs, especially in the premium segment, last even longer. And even a mixer can last 30 years.

When something breaks:

If an appliance no longer works or has a visible defect, the rule is: repair it. To stay with the blender: Especially with smaller appliances, you can go to so-called repair cafés, says Philip Heldt. These are initiatives where people repair things together under the guidance of volunteers. You usually pay a donation and, if necessary, the cost of spare parts.

And: you can also repair some things yourself, for example with the help of YouTube videos or instructions on Ifixit, says the expert.

A tip for larger machines could also be to use independent repair workshops rather than the factory customer service, says Heldt. These are usually cheaper.

This also shows again why the repairability factor is important: "The worse an appliance has been planned in terms of repairability, the more expensive the repair will be: if you can simply unscrew an appliance, it is easier to repair than if it is glued. Then it is more complex and takes longer."

If you decide against a repair, for example because it is not possible, it is important to dispose of the old appliances properly. According to the ZVEI, this is the only way to disassemble the appliances into their individual parts and return them to the economic cycle. In this way, valuable raw materials, materials and components can be recycled.