Consider first what features you need as well as the size and capacity that your home can accommodate. A refrigerator with an ice maker or reversible door, a washer or dryer with sensors for blocked lint filters and humidity changes – these are great to have, but do you really need those features? Remember that the price goes higher as you go up a model and more features are added.

It is always better to measure the space where you plan to put the appliance before going to the store. After all, the time to know that you need a 33-inch-wide refrigerator between the countertop and wall is before the store delivers a 36-inch model. If you are going for a built-in look for your laundry area, getting the dimensions of the cabinet that will house the washer and dryer will save you the effort and cost of replacing a wrong purchase.

Capacity is another major consideration, and depends on the use that the appliance will get. For instance, a couple with no children can get away with an appliance with smaller capacity, unlike couples with a growing family, who would most likely need a bigger space. Efficiency and energy costs are related to capacity and needs to be considered also.

For instance, getting a refrigerator that is too big or too small wastes energy and effort on your part. Not being able to keep it filled and wasted space is just as bad as having to keep rearranging things to make them fit the limited space. On the other hand, a dryer should have twice the capacity of the matching washer so that you don’t have to split a single load of wash into several batches when it is time to dry the clothes.

Aside from the price, ease of use and maintenance is another selling point for an appliance. Read the manual – it should be available from floor models – and decide if you can live with that brand or model, considering how it operates and how it should be cared for. An authorized factory service that is readily available in your area for that appliance is a plus.

You should also know and understand the terms of the warranty before making the purchase. Determine if it covers the whole appliance or just certain parts, and if it includes labor costs. The period covered by the warranty also differs by brand or model.

It also helps to ask your dealer about promotions or discounts. Buying a washer dryer combo of the same brand might be less expensive than if you bought them separately or if you bought different brands. Sometimes, appliances bought online come with mail-in rebates that gives you bigger savings than if you purchased them at a store.

Ty Hammell is a dispenser of home appliances and electronics including refrigerators and blue ray DVD players. He also knows a lot about fashionable washer and dryer combos and provides information about what to look for when buying these items.