There are no two ways around it: new major electric appliances are expensive, especially if you want all the latest and greatest features and gadgets to make your life easier. In many cases, people will put off buying major appliances because of the cost. What they do not know is that rather than having to drop big money on new appliances, they could instead extend the lifespan of their current appliances with some basic maintenance tips. When an electric appliance is treated right, it can last years and years, or decades and decades. Consider this quick list of maintenance and performance hints for the four biggest electrical appliances in your home.
How to Maintain a Dishwasher
Most dishwashers start to run into trouble once they get too dirty to actually wash dishes, as it should.
- The biggest culprits of gunk inside a dishwasher are the seal around the edge and the spray arm that spins and blasts water on your dishes.
- Take a look at these locations once in a while – monthly, if you’re usually pretty busy – and scrub away any food bits and debris you might find.
How to Maintain a Dryer
In a worst-case scenario, a poorly-maintained dryer can cause a house fire. In the “best” case scenario, a dryer that has not been maintained will wear down your clothes, make them feel scratchy, and possibly destroy fragile fabrics. Dryers are prone to becoming defective when lint clogs them up.
- To take care of your clothing, your home, and your dryer, clear out the lint trap before and after each load of laundry.
- You should also locate where your lint hose or pipe ends on the outside of your home and clear it twice a month.
How to Maintain Your Refrigerator
Has your electricity bill started going up inexplicably? It might be your refrigerator working harder to keep its same temperatures due to a lack of maintenance.
- Like a dishwasher, the rubber seal around your fridge’s doors needs to be routinely cleaned; too much dust or food scraps lodged there can ruin the airtight seal, letting cold air out.
- Some models of fridges also need to be manually defrosted a few times a year.
- Hire a professional to clean the condenser coils about once a year, perhaps more for large commercial refrigerators.
How to Maintain Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine can be a monster on your billing cycle if it is not maintained since it uses large quantities of water and electricity. If you only adhere to one of the tips on this list, choose this one.
- To reduce the work your washing machine does and extend its lifespan, replace fill hoses as needed (check out the owner’s manual) and watch for mysterious leaks.
- Never overload the washing machine, as doing so will overwork the motor and potentially destroy intricate parts.
- Double-check pockets before loading in an article of clothing. Stray items that should not go in there can get loose, sneak into seams, and break the washing machine.
Electrical Appliance Services in Vineland, New Jersey
Realistically, most people who own major appliances do not have the technical training to properly and safely maintain them. If you are not sure where to begin when improving the performance and lifespan of your fridge, washing machine, and so on, you should come to Ben’s ProServ for all the electrical services you need. With more than 40 years of industry experience, our team of service technicians has grown a solid reputation for being courteous, knowledgeable, and dependable.
Learn about the history of Ben’s ProServ, our service options, and our competitive pricing by contacting us today.