Easy Maintenance Hacks to Extend the Life of Your Appliances
Some advice on how to keep your fridge, dishwasher, washer, and dryer in good working order. The typical life expectancy of these big appliances is between 10 and 13 years, so you should start saving for a replacement around the 9-year point.
The longevity of any given piece of machinery depends on a wide variety of factors. However, Electrician new farm maintenance can lengthen the life of your appliances, reduce the need for costly repairs, and save money on utility costs.
Keep the refrigerator running smoothly and cool by cleaning the coils. Most of the time, we count on our fridges to keep on cooling. But think of the chaos that would ensue if you were hosting a holiday party and it suddenly stopped working the morning of. You may have to pay for an expensive trip to the store to replace the perishable food, in addition to the cost of repairs (average: $220–$270) or a new refrigerator (anywhere from $350–$2,500).
Keeping the condenser coils clean is the most crucial element of refrigerator maintenance. Compressors with filthy coils have to work harder to discharge heat, which reduces their lifespan and can lead to higher energy bills. The good news is that it just takes 15 minutes once or twice a year.
The refrigerator must first be unplugged. In order to access the coils and clean the condenser fan, the cover must be removed from the unit. The coils on the rear of some units are exposed. Scrub or vacuum the dust and grime away carefully. Drip pans are typical on appliances with an integrated defroster and should be emptied or dried out before using a vacuum.
Dishwasher interiors also require periodic cleaning. While a dishwasher isn't strictly required, it undoubtedly makes it easier to spend time with guests instead of slaving away at the sink. In fact, we ran the dishwasher many times a day during a recent family visit.
Mineral deposits and food scraps left over from previous loads can accumulate, causing the dishwasher's inside to get clogged, leak, and emit an unpleasant odor if not regularly cleaned. A cleaning cycle with white vinegar and an empty dishwasher might do the trick. The filter is usually located at the very bottom of the unit and the walls may need to be scrubbed clean by hand.
The plastic gasket around the door should be cleaned carefully and inspected for damage or leaks, as this could cause a costly disaster if ignored. While gaskets may only cost around $10, labor can cost $75-$150 per hour, and water damage may set you back even more.
Make sure you don't overload your washer or dryer. When I visit a place with a lot of people, I'm usually surprised by how much laundry accumulates. Do not overburden your washing machines with your guests' additional bedding, towels, and clothing.
When components are subjected to excessive loads, they often fail before their time. Also, you can have detergent residue on your clothes and have to run the cycle again (wasting water and electricity) or you might end up with wet clothes that need to be dried.
Don't forget to shut the washer and dryer doors softly. The switch, the little component that tells the machine the door is closed, could be damaged by excessive force. The typical cost to repair a washing machine is between $50 and $150, but the average cost to repair a dryer is between $100 and $400 due to the dryer's more expensive parts.