Electronic appliances usually use a set amount of power while they run. As consumers, it is important that we know what is the power required by each of the appliances so that we can understand what amount we are paying for each appliance in the total electric bill. This will also help us save money on particular appliances and also reduce energy costs.
Ways to estimate electricity usage of various appliances
Energy label guides that are provided with most electronic products give an estimate of what they would use at a certain point in time. The label will give the average cost to operate the specific model of the device you are using. Installing a power monitoring system for your house, will give you a proper idea of the power used by the appliances.
Amount of power used by common household appliances
The electric water heater uses 380 500 kWh per month and would cost up to $41.00$55.00 per month. A microwave oven using 0.12 kWh per 5 min can cost up to $0.01 per 5 min. A coffee maker, which would use approximately 0.12 kWh per brew, may cost up to $0.01 per brew. A laptop using 0.02 0.05 kWh per hour, might cost less $0.01 per hour.
How to conserve power
Reduce phantom loads’, these are appliances which are in off’ mode, but continue to draw power since they are still connected to the main power. Change your lighting from power draining bulbs to cost effective LED lights. Make sure that your water heater and the pipes are well insulated. Use appliances that are energy efficient, most appliances that are over 10 years old draw more energy than newer appliances. It is important to replace them so that they become energy efficient.
Cost cutting steps
Unplug items that you rarely use unplug televisions, stereos, clocks when you are away from home, since many draw power even when they are on off’ position. Air conditioners should be cleaned regularly so that the airflow comes on easily. Make sure that the items are as cool as possible before they go into the fridge, and the freezer is not stuffed. A stuffed and congested refrigerator consumes more power than usual.
Save energy for a brighter future
The simplest way to save energy is to insulate your homes is adding a layer of insulation products. This will help your home stay cold, and also prevent excess heat from coming in. The appliances can be used to the maximum since their power will be easily retained in. Use passive solar energy that will be work both during hot and cold seasons. Thus, one can get independence from power grids and have an energy efficient home
Managing a dealership is a demanding job. Several aspects need to be taken into consideration to run the business smoothly and effectively. Using business management software such as a dealer management system (DMS) can help ease this process. Efficient DMS can assist you in effortlessly managing different aspects of your business through unified software. This includes pre-sales, sales, purchases, post-purchase, financial accounting, inventory management, CRM, human resources, and more. Read on to learn more about DMS.
What does a dealer management system do?
The main objective of a dealer management system is to ease operational tasks and enhance operational efficiency. It takes the load off of excessive paperwork by streamlining and providing a centralized location for all your important data. A good DMS will also improve communication across different departments within your organization, encouraging better business awareness for your employees.
Dealer management systems can help you with the following:
Inventory management
This is a crucial feature for dealerships with large inventories. It can help you store records in a single location and retrieve them at the click of a button. It can also help you monitor your expenses for reconditioning and flooring and provide industry-standard book values.
Customer management
Instead of looking through physical records for each of your customers, a DMS can help you store and access customer data more smartly. Some software also allows you to call or chat with your customers in real-time. These software applications are generally equipped with features that allow you to record conversations and categorize your contacts to easily follow your leads.
Accounting
DMS can help you automate all your accounting tasks, such as inventory, point of sale, and transaction costing. This will enable the quick generation of financial reports that can be shared with the rest of the team. It can also help you develop an operational budget, monitor performance, and analyze the profitability of every aspect of your business.
Service management
Your DMS can also help you organize and manage the dealership’s service schedule to help you meet deadlines. It can help you streamline the service write-up process, schedule service work to maximize billable hours, allow your team to clock in and out easily, and make repair and warranty claim handling easier.
Features to look for in a dealer management system
The goal of an effective DMS is to improve your service capabilities while offering a great experience for your customers. While all businesses do not operate in the same manner, here are some standard DMS features that every business could benefit from:
Inventory management
Integrated accounting
POS and retail management
Reporting tools and analytics
Customer relationship management (CRM)
Service scheduling and productivity tracker
Repair order and billing estimates
Deal structuring, forms, and contracting
Lead management quoting
If you are keen on a DMS that offers more, look for the following features:
Multi-location management
Embedded text messaging
Slips and storage management
Cloud hosting
Employee training
IT support
Price file updates from major manufacturers and distributors
Availability across major phone/computer operating systems
Integration with third-party solutions (such as CRM, ERP, Chatbots, RMA reporting, and smart search features)
Prices for dealership management software can vary depending on the features offered, setup fees, number of systems installed, inventory list, and other factors.
Tips for choosing the right dealer management system for your business
If you’re in the market for a new dealer management system for your company, following these tips can help:
Prioritize the list of features
Classify all the features into three categories: needs, wants, and nice-to-have. This will help you prioritize your requirements and choose a DMS that is suitable for your business.
Needs
These are the non-negotiable features that a potential DMS must have. It may include inventory, unit tracking, sales, management, scheduling, accounting, etc.
Wants
Although these are not crucial for the functioning of your business, these features can help improve efficiency and provide insights. Some common features companies want include CRM, sales pipeline management tools, automation tools, sorting, report generation, and third-party integrations.
Nice-to-have
These may be considered frill features by many. While they can help improve your experience with the DMS, you can also comfortably continue your operations without them. Some nice-to-have features include training tools, mobile functionality, internal communications, cloud-based software options, and accessible customer support.
Create a list of vendors
This can help you find the right vendor for your business. Create a list of vendors that meet your priority list. You can scour the web for businesses, speak to your friends, colleagues, and acquaintances for suggestions, check industry publications, read online review listings, or even post on a public forum. Once you have a list of potential vendors, it is time to start shortlisting.
Request a demo
Conduct a thorough vetting of your list of vendors. You can reach out to their contact person and ask for more details to make an informed decision. Request a demo session once you have shortlisted two or three potential options. A formal demo session with the vendor can help you fill any remaining gaps in your knowledge about their offering and ensure the provider meets all their claims.
Once you have finalized your vendor, it’s time to make a proposal. The ideal DMS will help you streamline and support your business as you scale it to greater heights.
The holiday season is getting closer, bringing in deal days like Cyber Monday. Furnishing a house or replacing old appliances can be expensive, and there is no better time to buy the things you need. Last year, there were deals and discounts on all refrigerators, be it a side-by-side refrigerator or a mini fridge. To get an idea of 2022’s offers, make sure to check the list below of last year’s Cyber Monday refrigerator deals.
What to expect from 2022 Cyber Monday deals on refrigerators
Samsung 28 cu ft 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with FlexZone Drawer
Best Buy offered $700 off on this Samsung 28 cu ft 4- Door French Door refrigerator last year. The fridge features Wi-fi, voice control, and LED lighting, among other top features. You can expect a similar deal this year too.
LG LMXS28596D InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator
This 27.8 cu ft refrigerator has a glass door on one side, and the Instaview lets you see food through the window. Interior lighting, water dispenser, and door alarm are just some other features of this wonderful appliance. This LG refrigerator, retailing at $3699, was down to $2999 at Best Buy on Cyber Monday last year.
Kenmore 50043 Side-by-Side Refrigerator
With a 25-cu ft capacity, this side-by-side refrigerator is a great addition to any kitchen. You will benefit from the sufficient storage space it offers. The in-door ice and water dispenser is an added bonus. The fridge was available on sale at Sears for $1079.99 (original price $1749.99) giving you a massive savings of $650. You may get a similar deal this year too.
Whirlpool 25 cu ft Side by Side Refrigerator
This sleek refrigerator was offered at a discount of $160. It features fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and an ice and water dispenser on the exterior. The fridge was on sale for $1439 at Home Depot, and the store might offer similar discounts in 2022.
GE 27 cu ft French Door Refrigerator
Last year witnessed some amazing deals on GE, as this fridge was available at a deal price of $1599 (original price of $2299). The appliance has a storage capacity of 27 cu ft and features an internal water and ice dispenser. Two humidity-controlled drawers prevent your food from drying out, which is an excellent pro for those who work long hours at the office.
Hisense French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker
This Hisense refrigerator has a storage capacity of 25.4 cu ft that comes with a full-width pantry drawer for spacious storage of food items. It keeps food fresh through its two humidity-controlled crisper drawers. It was available on sale for $1799, allowing buyers to save $500.
Insignia Retro Mini Fridge with Top Freezer
If you are looking for a mini fridge, then this is one of the best and most affordable deals you can expect. At Best Buy, the Retro Fridge from Insignia was $50 off and priced at $159 (original price was $209). The 3.1 cu ft fridge is available in colors such as cream, green, and red.
Frigidaire 3.3 cu ft Mini Fridge
This compact refrigerator gives you handy storage space for everything, from beverages to snacks. It also features a box-style freezer and a wine rack to store your items. This Frigidaire Mini Fridge was $50 off as part of the Cyber Monday sales last year.
Samsung RF27T5501SR Family Hub French Door Smart Refrigerator
For those looking for the latest tech in a refrigerator, this is the one to get your hands on. Retailing at $3199, Home Depot offered the fridge on sale for $2398. It has a storage capacity of 26.5 cu ft and comes with an integrated touch screen display that can help you plan your meals.
LG 20.2 cu ft Top-Freezer Refrigerator
This compact top freezer refrigerator might just allow you to make a savings of about $90 this year too. Humidity-controlled crispers, full-width gallon door bins, and LED interior lighting are some of the features of this LG model. Best Buy offered it for $799 (original price of $888).
Cyber Monday is one of the last chances in the year for you to upgrade your home. There might be lots of similar deals and discounts on top refrigerator models this year, so note which brand and retailer are offering the most value for money!