How to Add Appliances to Your Shipshape App

Shipshape Monitored6 min read

beginnerUpdated Invalid Date

Why Add Your Appliances?

Your equipment inventory is the foundation of everything Shipshape does for you. When SAM knows what equipment is in your home, how old it is, and what condition it is in, it can:

Alert you before equipment fails based on age and performance data
Estimate replacement timelines and costs through MyBudgeting
Give your service professional context so they arrive prepared
Track maintenance history so nothing falls through the cracks
Calculate your Home Health Score more accurately

The more complete your inventory, the more valuable Shipshape becomes. But you do not have to do it all at once. Start with what you know and build over time.

What Appliances Should You Add?

You can add virtually any piece of equipment in your home. Here are the most common and most valuable to track:

High Priority (Add These First)

HVAC system (air handler, condenser, furnace, heat pump)
Water heater (tank or tankless)
Sump pump
Dehumidifier
Electrical panel

Important

Refrigerator and freezer
Washer and dryer
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Garage door opener

Also Valuable

Condensate pump
Water softener
Whole-home generator
Pool or spa equipment
Smoke and CO detectors
Oven, range, and cooktop
Microwave

What Information Do You Need?

The great thing about Shipshape is that you can start with very little and add details later.

Minimum Required

All you need to create an appliance entry is:

Appliance type (e.g., sump pump, water heater, refrigerator)

That is it. You can save the entry with just the type and come back to fill in details whenever you have time.

Additional Details That Unlock More Features

Each piece of information you add makes Shipshape smarter about that appliance:

| Detail | What It Unlocks | |--------|----------------| | Location/room | Helps SAM give room-specific guidance | | Make and model | More accurate lifespan estimates and maintenance schedules | | Serial number | Warranty verification, precise manufacture date | | Installation date | Age-based replacement alerts, MyBudgeting timeline | | Manufacture date | Even more precise age tracking | | Service provider | Routes alerts to the right professional | | Photos | Visual reference for your records and service pros |

Method 1: Manual Entry (Step by Step)

Before You Start

Make sure you are viewing the correct home in the app. If you manage multiple properties, tap the home name at the top of the screen to switch.

Steps

Open the menu — Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the app.
Tap "Add Appliance" — This opens the appliance entry form.
Select the appliance type — Choose from the list of categories (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, kitchen, laundry, etc.). If your appliance does not fit a standard category, use "Other" and describe it.
Enter a unique name — Give it a recognizable name like "Basement Dehumidifier" or "Main Floor HVAC." This helps you distinguish between multiple appliances of the same type.
Select the room — Choose which room or area of the home this appliance is in. If the room is not listed, you can add a custom room name.
Select the manufacturer — Browse the list or search by name. If the manufacturer is not listed, tap "Add New" to create a new entry.
Select the model — Once you have chosen a manufacturer, select the model from known options or tap "Add New" to enter it manually.
Add serial number — Found on the data plate (usually a sticker or metal plate on the appliance). This is optional but valuable for warranty and age verification.
Add dates — Enter the installation date and manufacture date if known. The installation date is especially important for age-based alerts and MyBudgeting.
Select provider — Choose the type of service provider (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, general) and select from your connected providers. This ensures alerts for this appliance go to the right professional.
Add sensors — If you have Shipshape sensors monitoring this appliance (power, temperature, water detection), link them here. This enables real-time monitoring and performance tracking.
Save — Tap "Save" to add the appliance to your inventory. You can edit any details later.

Method 2: AI Equipment Scan (Faster and Easier)

Shipshape's AI Equipment Scan is the fastest way to add appliances. Instead of typing in details manually, you simply point your phone camera at the appliance's data plate and let the AI do the work.

How It Works

Open the AI Scan — From the app menu, select "AI Equipment Scan" or tap the camera icon when adding a new appliance.
Find the data plate — This is the label or metal plate on the appliance that lists the manufacturer, model number, serial number, and other specifications. Common locations:
- Water heaters: Side of the tank, near the top
- HVAC units: Inside the access panel or on the side
- Refrigerators: Inside the door frame or on the back
- Washers/dryers: Inside the door or on the back panel
- Dishwashers: Inside the door, along the edge
Take a photo — Hold your phone steady and capture a clear image of the entire data plate. Make sure the text is legible and well-lit.
Let the AI read it — Shipshape's AI analyzes the image and automatically extracts:
- Manufacturer name
- Model number
- Serial number
- Manufacture date (decoded from the serial number when possible)
- Key specifications (capacity, BTU rating, voltage, etc.)
Review and confirm — The AI fills in the appliance form with the extracted details. Review for accuracy and make any corrections.
Save — Tap save, and the appliance is added to your inventory with all the details captured.

Tips for a Good Scan

Clean the data plate if it is dusty or dirty
Use your phone's flashlight in dim areas (basements, utility closets)
Hold the camera steady and close enough that text is clearly readable
Take the photo straight on, not at an angle, to reduce distortion
If the AI cannot read a field, you can always type it in manually

Editing Appliances Later

You can update any appliance's details at any time:

Navigate to the appliance in your equipment inventory
Tap the appliance to open its detail view
Tap "Edit" to modify any field
Save your changes

Common reasons to edit:

Adding a serial number you did not have when you first created the entry
Updating the installation date after checking your records
Adding a photo of the data plate
Linking a newly installed sensor
Changing the service provider

Tips for Building a Complete Inventory

Start with the big items. Water heater, HVAC, and major appliances are the most valuable to track. You can add smaller items over time.
Take photos of data plates whenever you can access them. Even if you do not enter the details right away, the photos will be stored for reference.
Ask your service professional. During their next visit, they can help identify and scan equipment you might not be able to access easily (attic HVAC units, crawl space equipment).
Check when you replace something. When a new appliance is installed, add it immediately while the data plate is accessible and the installation date is fresh in your mind.
Use the AI scan. It is significantly faster than manual entry and catches details you might miss or mistype.