Setting Up Your First Student Apartment: A Budget Appliance Guide for Guelph and Waterloo
Moving out for school is a big step, and the shopping list fills up fast. Some student rentals near the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo, Laurier and Conestoga come with every appliance you need. Many come with only a few.
This guide is for students and parents working out what to buy and what to skip. The good news is that used appliances in Guelph and Kitchener Waterloo can cover most of what a student needs for far less than buying new.
Start with the Lease
Before buying anything, confirm what the landlord supplies. Plenty of leases include a fridge and stove but not a washer, dryer or microwave. Get it in writing.
Then measure. Student kitchens are often tight, and older units may have a narrow fridge space. Write down the width, height and depth, and check doorways and stairwells on the way in.
1. A Fridge That Fits the Space
If the apartment needs a fridge, a used one is one of the best value purchases you can make. An apartment size model suits one or two people. For a shared house with four roommates, a full size top freezer model is usually the most practical choice and easy on the hydro bill.
If you are shopping for a used fridge in Kitchener or Guelph, buy from a seller who inspects and tests their units. Once it is home, put a thermometer inside overnight. The fridge should hold between 1.5 and 4 degrees Celsius, with the freezer near minus 18 degrees Celsius.
2. A Bar Fridge for Residence
Residence rooms often allow a small bar fridge. Check the residence rules for size limits first, and leave a little space behind it so it can shed heat.
3. A Microwave
For many students, the microwave does more cooking than the stove. A mid size countertop model is plenty. Set it on a stable surface with space around the vents, and never run it empty.
4. A Washer and Dryer, If There Are Hookups
If the rental has laundry hookups but no machines, a used washer and dryer can pay for themselves over a few years compared to coin laundry. Check the setup before you buy. Most electric dryers need a 240 volt outlet, and a gas dryer needs its gas connection done by a licensed technician.
5. Scratch and Dent for Peace of Mind
If a parent would rather buy new, scratch and dent appliances are worth a look. They are new units with cosmetic marks from shipping or handling. Sometimes the mark is on a side that ends up against a wall anyway, and it has no effect on how the appliance runs.
Tips for Parents
Shop before move in week. The end of August is hectic for everyone moving into student housing in Guelph and Waterloo, and delivery schedules fill up. Buying a week or two early takes the pressure off.
Teach a few simple habits. Clear the dryer lint screen every load, do not overload the washer, and vacuum the fridge coils once a year with the fridge unplugged. These small jobs keep a used appliance running for years.
Keep receipts and model numbers in a shared folder or a photo on your phone. If something breaks in November, it makes booking a repair much faster.
A Few Things to Leave at Home
Many leases and residences restrict hot plates, space heaters and portable air conditioners, so check the rules before packing. Never plug a fridge, microwave or other large appliance into a power bar or extension cord. Plug it straight into a wall outlet.
Get Set Up Before Classes Start
Al's Appliance carries used, new and scratch and dent appliances at our Guelph location at 6 Holliday Street and our Kitchener showroom at 20 Stewart Street, with delivery available to your new place. If something acts up during the semester, we also offer in-home appliance repair across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph.
Call 519-824-8828 or browse alsappliance.ca to see what is in stock. A few smart purchases now make first year a lot easier.
