Excess features you now couldn't live without 5 January at 10:02PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 65 replies 3.6K views

DullGreyGuy

As time goes on white goods get more and more complex and in my experience you end up buying features you dont really want. Our oven, hob, dishwasher etc all connect to the WiFi. I could see an advantage for the oven if you are the type that programmes cooking... go out and get delayed you can change when the oven comes out etc.

Occasionally though you get features you didn't really want but then find out you really like them... so what features have you had that you didn't really want but now couldn't live without?

I'll go first... our dishwasher has an inside light. Its great... things that fall from the shelves are really easy to spot, open the door a fraction and you can see if its clean or dirty but oddly what's best, it really makes plates/glasses/pans sparkle when you open the door. 

SpudGunPaul

Dishwasher has a digital timer projected on the floor and a light. No sorry I could live without them.

DullGreyGuy

SpudGunPaul said:

Dishwasher has a digital timer projected on the floor and a light. No sorry I could live without them.

Knowing when its going to be done is great... ours doesn't have a projection but you can see online but also our devices are the same brand and the oven's display says when the dishwasher/washing machine will be done if the oven isnt on.

Our machine also says when its out of salt and rinse aid... previously was always a random decision to decide to top up the salt. 

getmore4less

Phantom loads is becoming a hot topic.

Multiple WiFi connections and displays what's that adding upto?

Do these appliances have a proper off mode?

I like our microwave has a turn the display off option.
Yet to do the measurement on that for its various states of off.

theonlywayisup

Not really an excess feature but a good one - our Miele washing machine (very old now) has the Twin Dos system.  This is basically two large containers in the bottom front of the machine that you fill with your liquid detergent and fabric conditioner.  Then you tell the machine how much to dispense.  When you use the machine, you tell it to use the Twin Dos (either one or both) and it automatically dispenses.  No messy drawer, no forgetting to chuck a tab in the drum.  

jackieblack

“Couldn’t live without”… Really? 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

ashe

Cost of WiFi devices is negligible really. I've compared loads of things with our smart meter and power monitoring plugs and there isn't a lot in it. 

WiFi features probably aren't all that to some people but for those that have setups like Home Assistant they can be really useful for tracking history, power consumption and building automations. Even if they didn't have a true "off" you could turn them off based on their state with a remote plug, if you wanted to save a few pence per month. 

silvercar

Our dishwasher has a light projecting onto the floor when it is running. Saves opening the door and interrupting the programme to see if it has finished. I thought that was good, then son has bought a flat with integrated dishwasher that opens slightly for the last phase of drying, so he knows when it has finished without even looking at the floor!

GDB2222

I bought our car secondhand at auction. I scoffed when I found out that it had heated seats,  but I would definitely want those in any replacement car we buy. 

Similarly, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable. As my wife and I share the car, it’s useful that the seat automatically adjusts itself depending on which key is used. Again, I scoffed originally, but it would be something I would look for in a replacement car. 

Bobinyorkshire

If we’re talking about cars - parking sensors.

silvercar

Bobinyorkshire said:

If we’re talking about cars - parking sensors.

and 360 degree camera, which was one step up from my reversing camera.

GDB2222 said:

I bought our car secondhand at auction. I scoffed when I found out that it had heated seats,  but I would definitely want those in any replacement car we buy. 

Similarly, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable. As my wife and I share the car, it’s useful that the seat automatically adjusts itself depending on which key is used. Again, I scoffed originally, but it would be something I would look for in a replacement car. 

Same thoughts with a heated steering wheel!

Also, central locking.