Tax holiday 2024

 

First, a disclaimer:  This blog really is only going to be interesting to Massachusetts customers!  (Sorry VT, NH, CT, RI shoppers.)

Of course, I'm sure our customers who live in the Granite State couldn't care less about a sales tax holiday, right?

Now, if you live in one of the great states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Vermont this blog is going to be of little help to you (unless you are willing to drive to your nearest Massachusetts Manny's, in which you will be able to save our sales tax.)

But -- if you reside in the Bay State, there's a good chance you are aware of our state's annual no-sales-tax weekend, this year occuring on August 10th and 11th!

If you'd like to see some of the sales and discounts you can take advantage of in addition to the tax savings, a link to our circular can be found on our website.  Just click on the link immediately to the left of the blog link you just clicked.  

Massachusetts is one of 19 states that implemented a sales tax holiday in recent years.  The intent is to help consumers with their back to school purchases.  It also has the added benefit of helping to generate business at what is normally a slow time of year for some businesses. 

(In case you were wondering, this is the breakout of the tax holidays throughout the country:)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2024/07/19/back-to-school-shopping-sales-tax-holidays-2024/74411623007/

If you look at the list, you will see what makes the Massachusetts sales tax holiday different from other states -- It's the dollar cap!!  

In Massachusetts, you can save the entire 6.25% sales tax on any purchase up to $2500! (Do note - over $2500, and you pay the full tax.)

Keep in mind: The cap is $2500 per product, NOT on the entire purchase.  So, go ahead and add a new dryer to your washer, or upgrade your kitchen while saving a couple of hundred dollars! 

As far as our neighboring states are concerned, only Connecticut has any sort of program, and it is far more restrictive:  Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are tax-exempt from the state sales tax of 6.35%.

The result (perhaps unintended) of the unusually high limit in Mass is that sales in certain businesses (such as the household appliance business) spike - dramatically!  Most, but not all, of our products fall neatly into the under-$2500 category.  As a result, many customers time their appliance purchases to take advantage of the extra savings the tax holiday offers (plus, let's be honest... who doesn't want to find a way to pay less tax, yes?)

Have you ever shopped in a mall or big box store on a tax holiday weekend?  If you have,  you might have been frustrated by the huge crowds of shoppers, which makes getting the attention of salespeople challenging! (Personally, I haven't had the pleasure of shopping the tax holiday - I've always been on the other end, doing my best to at least try to take care of our customers.  The experience can be stressful for employees as well as customers!)

We have developed a plan over the years, and we strongly encourage customers to consider this plan:

Come in between now and Friday August 9th.  We will be busy, but not overwhelmed.  We can work with you and help you with your purchase. Whether it's a basic washer for an apartment you're renting, a new range to replace the old coil top unit you've been nursing along, all the way up to putting together an appliance suite for a remodel or kitchen upgrade, we can help!

Here's the procedure we've developed:

1. You come in ahead of time and speak with one of our experienced salespeople, so we can assist you in picking out your appliances.
2. We put together on paper a "quote", outlining your purchase.
3. On the 12th and 13th Manny's dedicated staff gets up early and drives to work, robust cup of black coffee in hand, and begins processing these payments.  

One important stipulation to note: Your purchase must be paid in full on August 10-11. (That means no deposits or layaways.  Sorry --

state rules!)   

Now, we ask that you keep the two following thoughts in mind:  

1. This tidal wave of business is going to stress inventory levels.  There will be temporary stockouts - we just don't know which pieces will be affected yet.
2. Our delivery and warehouse teams will be working their tails off, but - there are only so many deliveries we can perform each day. Delivery turnaround will be longer the first few weeks after the holiday weekend.

So, as in past years, please be patient with us!  We will do our best to get your tax-free appliances to you as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, you can always reach out to any of our staff at our eleven locations.  Store numbers and addresses can be found on our web page.

And finally...Happy Shopping!!

Top ten appliance model list - updated for 2024

Last autumn (10-28-23 to be exact) I posted a list of the top selling model Skus, both overall and by category.  That post has proven to be one of the most frequently "hit" posts on my modest blog, so I thought that mid-year would be a good time to revisit and update the list.  

(In case you're interested, here's a link to that article: https://www.mannystv.com/Blog.html)

As I assembled the list below, I was frankly surprised by how much the list changed in a relatively short period of time.  I was also surprised that three of the models (the Speed Queen washer and the two Bosch dishwashers) are what we consider upper-end models and premium brands.  It does look like while our customers are demanding quality and performance for their hard-earned dollars, many are willing to pay a little more for this quality - more than I honestly expected!  

So without further ado, here's the list.  Note -These numbers are based on sales through our distributor (the New England Appliance Group) which services just about every independent retailer in the northeast.

1)  Maytag washer MV4505MW   No surprise here.  This mid-level top-load washer offers all the essential cycles, has a generous 4.5 cubic foot capacity tub, and uses a traditional auger type agitator to help move clothes around for more thorough cleaning.  A fine mid-level choice!

2) GE Over-range micro JVM3160RFSSS  Once again, the top selling over-the-range microwave oven, and this time even closer to the number one selling appliance overall!   A perfectly useful, albeit basic by today's expectations  (no convection oven, smart features, or moisture sensor for examples) micro-vent combo.

3)  Maytag electric dryer MED4500MW   The companion dryer to the #1 selling washer above.  four temperatures (by the way - in "dryer language, air fluff/no heat counts as a temperature), timed and auto dry, end of cycle signal... as with the "4505" washer, all the essential features.  No steam or smart features, but a perfectly dependable and useful machine.

4)  Speed Queen washer TC5003WN

Have you ever found something you buy didn't hold up as long as you expected?  It could be a lawn mower, a t-shirt, or even a clothes washer.  Have you ever exclaimed in frustration something along the lines of "I'd pay more money for a product that lasts longer!)?

Well, when it comes to laundry you have the opportunity to do just that: behold the Speed Queen washer!   

Five to seven year parts AND labor warranties.  Short cycle times.  In the case of the listed model, (cue the cornets!) no lid lock!   Oh yes, and made in the USA.  The only downside is the price, approximately double the average washer.  If the Speed Queen is within your budget however, I feel it's well worth the investment (my wife agrees; we've had this machine in our house for almost five years now.)

5)  GE electric range JB256DMWW  

I love it!! Again, this coil top electric range made the top ten last time, and has actually moved up to #5 on the overall list!  For rentals, starter homes, and other applications where price is important, this GE range (and its predecessors) has been our "go-to" coil range for over a decade,

(BTW if you're wondering what happened to coil top ranges in general, I talk about that in my 2-28-24 blog.)

6) Bosch dishwasher  SHP65CM5N   This dishwasher, and its next-step-up "sister model" at #10, are both newcomers to this list.

Back around 1997, when I was still pretty new to the major appliance industry. a sales rep visited our store in Wilbraham.  He was attempting to convince us that consumers would be willing to pay a premium price tag for a dishwasher that cleaned better, and was quieter than the relatively noisy models of that era.  This brand, Bosch was unknown to me and most Americans at the time.

Today, Bosch dishwashers are much more known, and have become our go-to upper end line.  Bosch has a loyal and satisfied following that is willing to spend $999 on a dishwasher that cleans well, holds up over time, and offers "brag to your friends" quiet.

7)  Maytag dishwasher MDB4949SKZ  

This not overly-fancy, reasonably quiet, energy-star qualified, USA assembled dishwasher offers performance and capacity at a reasonable price.  In addition to a full set of cycles, this Maytag model features a fingerprint-resistant finish on the door, and a ten year parts (not labor!) warranty on the motor and basket.  A very safe choice in the mid-range category.

8)  LG front load washer WM4000HWA

9)  L G front load washer WM3400HW

LG hits the top ten list for the first time with these two front load washers!

I'm going to talk about both the "4000"series and the "3400" series model together. Both machines give solid cleaning performance, a generous 4.5 cubic foot capacity, and a ten year part warranty on the motor and drum.  The 4000 washer adds a turbo wash option, and a steam option to assist with the cleaning of heavily soiled garments.  The 4000 also has "smart" capability, using an app that can be easily downloaded to your smartphone.

10) Bosch dishwasher SHP78CM5N.   The step-up, 800 series version of the dishwasher discussed at #7.  The biggest complaint I get about Bosch dishwashers: the lack of a heating element for quick drying.  Well, the 800 series dishwashers employs a CrystalDry feature to address this, transforming moisture into heat.   Also, at 42db, the machine is barely audible!

As I mentioned before, some of the models making the top ten list pleasantly surprised me.  

Now, in case you are trying to decide what to buy in a specific category, I'm including the best selling models for each popular segment below.

Top "top-loading" washer: Maytag MVW4505MW  see #1 above!

Top "front loading" washer:  LG WM4000HWA  see #8 above.  

Top electric range:  GE GRF600AVSS  The successor to the JB750 range that made the top ten list last time.  Except for some availability issues this past spring, I'm sure this popular stove would have made the list this time as well.

Top gas range GE JGB735SPSS  This model was on the top ten overall list last time, and most likely would be this time around as well except for some availability issues in the spring.

Top electric slide in GE Profile PGS930SYGS  A "fully-loaded" gas range, which is outselling lower priced alternatives.

For refrigeration I'm breaking this category down into styles:

Top "Topfreezer" fridge GE GTS17DTNRWW  (a basic but reliable small unit that is very popular in apartments.)

Top "Bottom freezer" fridge Whirlpool WRB322DMBM (out of stock for a long long time due to Covid-19, but finally available again!)

Top "French-door" fridge GE GNE27JYMFS (internal ice and water, energy star qualified, and now with a fingerprint resistant front.)

Top "counter depth" fridge  LG LRFLC2706S  (actually considered by LG to be "counter-depth max", giving more capacity than the typical counter depth model while still keeping the refrigerator case cabinet roughly flush with a typical kitchen cabinet.) 

Specs on all the above models can be found on the website (just copy and paste the model number into the search box on the front page.)

If you're looking for an appliance, but don't know where to begin your search process, these models above may be a great place to start!

Independence Day Sales Are Now Here!!

Fourth of July sale!!  Black Friday in June sale!! Christmas in Summer sale!! 

I've seen exclamations like these through the years promoting major discounts and promotions on Major Appliances (and other products) over the years.  The truth is - YES! - there are major discounts and promotions on appliances right now, promos that rival the deals we've all come to expect on Black Friday (although "Black Friday" has morphed in recent years to "Black November"!)

Why is this? 

 The simple answer:  In the last decade or so, manufacturers have tended to bunch their discount programs around major holidays.  While sales continually happen in any retail business, the steepest and most exciting appliance discounts now occur around Presidents' Day, Memorial Day/Independence Day, and then November.

How much should you expect to save? 

 There's no across-the-board flat discount on appliances (in other words, not every item is exactly 10% off.)  Undoubtedly that would be simpler for both you the consumer and me as the salesperson, but like so many facets of life, nothing is "that simple."  Simply put: the manufacturers decide what product to put on sale, and they decide how much of a discount they want to give retailers (no, we're not the only retailer having a sale right now!).  These discounts vary in amount, length of time, and in some cases which color of a particular model get discounted (as a general rule, expect deeper discounts on the newer colors (stainless steel and its alternatives such as slate and black stainless) than the traditional white and black.

For example, take a look at this GE refrigerator, the very popluar GNE27JYMFS:

This 27 cubic foot, American made French Door refrigerator is one of our most popular models. 

Note the spacious interior, all the storage options, and the Energy Star tag!

Let's say you decide this is the right fridge for your kitchen, and you decide to take advantage of the promos being offered.   How much can you expect to save?

Well, the savings depends very much on the color:

As you can see from our product tag, the sale price will vary considerably, depending on the color you want:

• Stainless steel - $1399
• Slate- also $1399
• Black or White - $2069!  

I know.  This doesn't seem fair, especially if you prefer black or white. However, our pricing is based on what the manufacturers (GE, in this case) choose to promote.  For some time now it looks like GE and other manufacturers are definitely trying to "encourage" consumers to go with the newer colors! 

This may seem like an extreme case, but I can quote numerous similar examples.  Letting your salesperson know what you're looking for as far as features, size, price, color, etc., can allow us to better help you navigate your way to the best deal that fits your wants or needs.

Why buy at at Manny's?  

So now that you've decided to take advantage of one or more of these tremendous deals, it's fair to ask why you should trust Manny's to not only help you through the purchase, but also make sure your product arrives at your home properly and swiftly. 

These are important questions to ask.  Let me try to give you some good reasons:

1. Our salespeople are professionals, and specialists!  Selling appliances to consumers is why we're here!  It's all that we do.  Let's face it - helping you choose the right appliance is what we do for a living!
2. We can usually deliver in a timely manner.  Inventory is not quite where it was pre-Covid (and I doubt it ever will be!), but most product is available for delivery within 2-3 business days.
3. We have our own service department.  No, we do not want you to have a problem!  But... if you do, at least you can have the reassurance of knowing that the same people you've trusted enough to purchase your new refrigerator or washer are going to be there if something goes wrong.  No third-party service clearinghouses that have no vested interest in keeping you happy.
4. Exclusive rebates.  Personally, I don't think we talk about this enough!  If you are contemplating purchasing more than one appliance (say, a new dryer to go with the washer you're replacing, or an over-range micro-hood to go with your new stove), we can offer many rebates of $100 or more, even up to $1000 for certain full kitchens.  Most importantly, many of our rebates are only available to independent retailers such as Manny's!  

(When I present these rebates to a customer, I often call these exclusive rebates the "Thank you for buying local rebate".  In these cases, not only do you get to feel good about supporting a local business, but you actually get rewarded financially for your support!)

If you have any questions on any of the above, or would like to begin the process of choosing and purchasing an appliance, please reach out to any of the sales professionals in our eleven (yes, our Shrewsbury showroom is now open!) locations. We'll be happy to assist you!

Oh No!! I need to buy a new refrigerator!! Where Do I Start??

Unless you're in the process of remodeling your kitchen or buying a new home and redoing the kitchen to reflect your own taste and image, you're probably not going to buy a new refrigerator unless you have to.  That's understandable.  The refrigerator is usually the most expensive appliance in the kitchen (there are exceptions, such as when you decide you want to outfit your kitchen with a "Professional" style range or wall oven), and can run anywhere from $600 to $3000 and possibly more.  

Why the huge variation in price, you may understandably ask?  I will get back to that in a bit.  First, let me point out a few advantages in today's fridge vs. older units.

1. Energy efficiency has been greatly enhanced.  Even units that don't bear the Energy Star logo are dramatically more efficient than their predecessors.  Most consumer see a notable drop in their electric bill.
2. Units today are greener.  Coolants are more environmentally friendly, as manufacturers work toward reducing their impact on our planet.
3. Lighting is nicer.  Most refrigerators use LED lighting, which is both more energy efficient and brighter.
4. More options are available to the consumer.  Refrigerators come in different sizes and shapes.  Icemaker and ice/water dispensers are readily available (as are units that do not come with these convenience amenities.
5. Refrigerators can be smart and connected.  I wrote about that in a recent blog, so I am going to refer you there should you want to learn more about smart options.

https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5695512488839797470/356120257404864387

(A very important caution before beginning your purchase!! Be aware that unlike appliances such as ranges and dishwashers which conform to standard width and heights) refrigerators sizes vary - considerably.   Units are built to fit into various common widths ranging from 24-36", but also vary in height and even depth.  Before making a final selection, it is crucial to know how much space (don't forget to take your doorways and hallways into account!!) you have available.)

We realize that if your fridge is broken and not keeping you food cold, you need to address this immediately! Here at Manny's we can usually deliver in-stock merchandise in three buisness days or less, with removal of the old carcass included.  So, assuming for a moment you decide to replace rather than repair*, you will find more options and more choices (and more decisions to make) than other kitchen appliances.

*(Note that should you decide to explore repairing the fridge, we do have a full service department... call us for assistance.) 

So, getting back to the question I posed earlier: Why the huge variation in price?   

A lot depends on the style refrigerator you want to purchase.  I'm going to walk you up the "food chain", from least expensive options to most expensive.

A note here:  For the sake of simplicity, I am rounding refrigerator widths up to the nearest inch.  For example, a fridge built for a 33" wide opening (very common in older homes!) is actually 32 5/8 - 32 7/8" wide.

First the basic, dependable top-freezer models (in our industry, refrigerators are classified by the freezer's placement (top, bottom, side).

These units keep your food cold and frozen just fine, while meeting current (and very strict!) energy and environmental mandates.  They range in size from an apartment worthy 24" wide to a traditional kitchen width of 33", with proportional height options.   Top-freezer models come in white, black, stainless steel (usually but not always fingerprint resistant).  Price of a typical 18-22 cubic foot capacity top freezer (28-33" wide, 64-68" tall) ranges from $600-$1000.  Most of these models do not automatically include an icemaker, but one is almost always available as an accessory in the $100-$150 range.

As I said, there's nothing wrong with a good ol' top freezer model.  Having said that, more and more of our customers are leaning toward a larger, more modern style unit.  Or, perhaps they want the convenience of an ice and water dispenser in the fridge's door.  Here the side-by-side units (freezer on the left, fridge or "fresh food" compartment on the right) come into play:

Side-by-side (SXS) models tend to cost less than the currently more fashionable French Door units.  Sizes range from 33-36" wide, depths usually 32-35" (excepting a handful of "counter depth" side-by-side models), and heights from 66-70" tall.  With the exception of two Whirlpool made models, all these units will include an ice/water dispenser outside the freezer door.  

Advantages to this format:  The compartment holding the ice has a larger capacity then one finds on a French Door model.  Pricing tends to be relatively cheaper than the more popular French Door units (usually $1000-$1500).  Organization in SXS units is easier than in FD models, especially if you have a lot of smaller portioned items.

Disadvantages:  One big one - the width of the freezer compartment!!  The interior width of the freezer compartment in 36" wide units is 12-12 3/4" wide.  If your kitchen only allows for a 33" wide unit, then the freezer width is closer to 10"!  The frozen pizza, the 25 pound turkey... many people who have owned a side-by-side unit in the past complain about this one drawback more than anything else.

How did manufacturers respond to this complaint?  Enter the modern French Door units!  

(But first, let me touch on a style whose popularity has waned in recent years: Single-door bottom freezer units.)

These units are usually 30-33" wide, 65-69" tall, and are available in traditional black and white, as well as stainless, black stainless, and GE's slate color.  They usually include an internal icemaker in the freezer, but do not have an option for a through-the-door ice and water dispenser.  Pricing is considerably more than the corresponding top freezers (usually $1199 to $1999, depending on size, features, and color.)  These units give you the advantage of having the compartment normally most used (the refrigerator, or fresh-food, compartment) on top, making access more convenient.  

Due to the popularity of French door models, and the unavailability of both popular convenience options such as ice-water dispensers, and popular sizes (nothing larger than 33" wide models are available), model choices in this category are more limited than others.

Now, back to the French Door category:

Contemporary style. Plenty of space. Accessibility to your fresh food (not to mention an energy efficient, brightly lit interior.)  This is the typical refrigerator found in a modern, up-to-date kitchen. These units are available in widths from 30-36", heights from 67-70", and have numerous options in both standard depth (34-37" including the handles) and counter depth (30-32"including handle, 28-30" without.)  Color choices include the ubiquitous stainless steel (usually, but not always, fingerprint resistant) as well as what I call the "stainless alternatives" such as black stainless and slate.  Traditional black and white models are still available, but you will find your choices in these colors limited as manufacturers focus on the newer more fashionable colors.

Price for these models usually run in the $1500-$2000 (although we've seem some models as low as $1299 when holiday promos are in play) for standard depth, and $1700-$3000 for counter depth.

Amenities available include:  An ice and water dispenser in the left side fridge door (note - all French door models will contain an ice device, either an internal icemaker in the freezer, or an in-door dispenser), options for a fourth drawer (which serves, depending on the model, as a second freezer, an auxiliary refrigerator, or in some cases (as with the Frigidaire Gallery and Professional models) a flexible fridge-or-freezer compartment.

Yes, as you may have guessed, extra features add to the price tag!  Models with in-door dispensers cost more than corresponding non-dispenser models.  Counter depth costs more than standard depth.  Four door costs more than three door.  Depending on what you want in your fridge (or are willing to pay!) price can vary from $1299 to $3000!

Now, the above is just an overview of your choices; I could easily keep going for a while longer!  For example, I haven't touched on the "Designer" 84" tall category, or on the handful of outlier models that don't conform to the standard sizes)  I'll leave those questions, as well as any other questions ("Why would I want counter-depth?"  "What models come in white?", etc.) to any of our professional sales associates in our eleven locations (addresses and phone numbers are prominently displayed on the front page of our site), or - if you'd prefer - I can answer them via email.

Why Should I Buy a Smart Appliance?

According to "First World", over 50% of homes now have "Smart", or Internet-connected goods, in their homes.  In my industry however, the use of smart appliances is another story. Only 21% of homeowners have smart major appliances.  On top of that, over half of the consumers who purchase smart appliances don't actually use the extra features.

https://www.firstpost.com/world/more-than-half-of-smart-appliance-users-dont-enable-iot-services-or-smart-features-12048122.html

Why is that??

I'll get back to that, but first I'd like to cover a few of the features and added benefits a smart appliance can provide. For example:

Refrigerators-   

1. You can get an alert if the unit's internal temperature starts to rise.
2. You can get notifications if the refrigerator door is left open.
3. In some cases, cameras inside the fridge can tell you which food items need to replenished.

This link courtesy of GE expands on the above:

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=23164

Stoves and ovens-

1. You can turn the oven on and begin the preheat process before arriving home.
2. You can download extra features such as specialty cooking modes and recipes through an app that most manufacturers now provide.
3. You can change the oven temperature remotely.

Once again I will share a link from GE, showing some additional benefits: https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=23810

Now what about laundry?   Wouldn't it be awesome if smart washers and dryers could actually fold and put away your clothes?   

We're not there yet, but... in the meantime...

Smart laundry benefits do include:

1. Notification when the washer and/or dryer has finished.
2. More specialty cycles to help maintain your clothes last longer.
3. On some models, the app will recommend the proper cycle in both washer and dryer for maximum care of your valuable clothing.

                                              ***

So those are some of the valuable benefits to smart appliances.  Yet, as I mentioned above, the majority of appliance purchases do not include a smart, connected model (and even fewer people use the features!).

What are some of the "cons" we hear about from customers when smart benefits are discussed?

1. The product itself may cost a little more (keep in mind however that you may be picking up additional features on a product that do not require a connection.)
2. Connecting an appliance to your home Internet usually requires downloading and adding an app to your phone; some people are either unwilling to do this, or can be intimidated by the "learning curve" involved.
3. Some people have concerns about security.

Consumer Reports offered an enlightening review of the potential security issues:

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/smart-appliances-and-privacy-a1186358482/

So, is purchasing a smart appliance a good idea for you?   My opinion:  I think it depends on whether you plan to use the smart features. Even a "dumb" stove or range will preserve or cook your food; most of the enhancements that a smart appliance offers are convenience features, and you may well find yourself using some of these features on a regular basis (I think back to the 70's and 80's when remote controlled televisions first appeared - imagine having to walk up to your set to change stations today!) 

To me it's like any other appliance feature; as a rule of thumb I suggest to my customers that a given feature is worth the extra money if it's a feature that is going to be used and enjoyed (such as a convection fan in an oven, or an icemaker in a refrigerator.)   

The appliance industry, like pretty much every consumer goods oriented industry, is going to get smarter and smarter in the coming years.  Just as we've all gotten used to the convenience (or even have come to rely on) smartphones in our pockets, or streaming services for our television, smart features in your appliances can make your life easier, and in some cases (consider downloading a new recipe for example) even more enjoyable!

Please reach out to any of our sales professionals in our ten (and soon to be eleven - keep an eye out for the Grand Opening of our eleventh store in Shrewsbury MA!!!)* to answer any questions you may have regarding the benefits and use of today's modern appliances!   Store locations and phone numbers are prominently listed on the front page of our website.

* Update on the Shrewsbury opening:  Our Grand Opening is set for June 22, but if you need something now we are open for business!!

How to Choose the "Right" Air Conditioner

 

I received a frantic text from my daughter the other afternoon. Her bedroom air conditoner had broken, and she wanted to purchase and install a replacement unit before the weather heated up.

Now, at least at the time of this writing (Wed. May 1), we have been experiencing a cooler than normal spring.  Personally, in my house we have our bedroom air conditioner installed, but still haven't needed to turn it on.  But!! - hot weather will be upon us anytime now, so I thought this would be a good time to discuss air conditioner purchasing.

Most people who come into our showroom have at least some sense of the amount of space they want cooled.   If you're not sure, the link below is one of many good sizing charts:

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=35138

NOTE!! These guidelines are meant to apply to a single room space!  

(If you are trying to cool multiple rooms or floors, the sizing gets trickier.Ideally, you should consider buying a separate air conditioner for each space in your home.  

For example, I have four units in the ranch that I own:  three small units for each bedroom, and one larger unit for the kitchen/dining room/living room.   Cold air doesn’t “travel” well, as it naturally sinks as it moves away from the air conditioner.   If you have no choice but to use one large unit for multiple rooms, ceiling and stand-up fans help move the cold air into the farther rooms.  You want to keep the cool air moving!)

We want to "size" your unit correctly - and bigger is not necessarily better!! Air conditioners dehumidify at the same time that they cool, and oversized units actually can cool a room too quickly, resulting in a room that can be cool but still feel "clammy".

(Frigidaire #FHWC124WB1)

Yes!! Knowing the area size is important, but there are other factors to consider, such as:

Where is the unit going?

The most popular type of unit is the traditional window unit, which is designed to fit into a double-hung window with expandable flaps to fill the window space. 

(A word of caution here:  Window widths vary, as do the widths of air conditioners!  Knowing the width of the inside sill of your window will help us make sure the unit you select will actually fit!)  

Other types of units include:

**Portable units: these wheel around and duct hot air and humidity out of the room with a hose that is roughly the size of a dryer vent.

**Through-the-wall units: these can be mounted into “sleeves” built into a wall in a person’s home.  These are very common in condo and apartment complexes.

**Window units with a “slide-out chassis”: these are usually larger BTU units that can be adapted for through-the-wall installation.

 What type outlet do I need? 

Nowadays most air conditioners up to 15,000 BTU can run on a standard 15 amp circuit (the type of plug you use for lamps, televisions, etc.)  Larger units require larger amp circuits.  Check the outlet type in your wall before buying!

How quiet will my unit be?

Even "quiet" air conditioners are going to make noise!  The pricier units (and "pricier" may only mean a few extra dollars) are usually quieter than so-called basic units, but no room air conditioner is going to be silent!   Also, take note that decibel ratings for air conditioners are not standardized (as with dishwashers, for example) so manufacturer claims for noise - or lack thereof - should be taken as guidelines only.  

                                          

 

                                                                   

(The GE AWES08WWF)                                                         

                                                                                                                    

Here at Manny's, we offer air conditioners in sizes ranging form 5,000 BTU bedroom sized units up to  32,000 BTU units for large office spaces.  Bring us your specifications and wants, and we will find a unit that properly meets your needs!

If you have any questions, you can reach out to a sales professional at any of our ten (Soon to be eleven - our Shrewsbury showroom will be opening very soon!!) showrooms listed here on our website.