Large appliances, including cookers, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters, are essential appliances found in every home. Since appliance repairs are unavoidable from time to time, a good rule of thumb is to get a new appliance if the cost of repair exceeds half the price of a new one, and the machine has lived out at least half its useful life.
That said, careful use and maintenance can increase the useful life of each appliance, which can span 10-20 years with good care. The first step is familiarizing yourself with the owners' manual that comes with every appliance. Follow all instructions for use to prevent damage and/or personal injury. Here are more specific insurrections for different appliances:
Electric or Gas Stoves and Cookers
Clean any spillages on the cooker top once the burners have cooled down. Read the manual for recommended cleaners, especially for one-piece cookers. Remove and clean drip bowls under the burners (where applicable); replacing old ones can also give your bowl a facelift, and is relatively cheap. Inspect the oven door gasket to ensure it fits snugly, replacing as necessary. This prevents waste of energy when using the oven. Your gas flame indicates how efficiently you're using gas: blue flames show maximum efficiency while yellow tinges indicate inefficiency, usually due to blockage by dirt or improper adjustment.
Refrigerator
Clean the coils at the back once a month using a vacuum with a brush. Use warm water and baking soda to clean the door gaskets and replace once the fit is no longer snug. Refrigerators with ice makers or water purifiers have water filters that should be replaced bi-annually – read the manual for manufacturer recommendation on filter replacement. Avoid ice build-up which reduces freezer efficiency by defrosting quarterly if your fridge has no auto-defrost functionality. Clean the gasket using warm water mixed with baking soda quarterly.
Dishwasher
Clean the interior regularly, and add a cup of white vinegar to one wash cycle quarterly for descaling purposes. You can also use manufacturer-recommended descalers. Remove the strainer and clean it with warm water and detergent biannually. Take out the spray arm and clean it gently with a stiff brush annually. Regularly inspect the supply hose to ensure there are no leaks or kinks.
Washing Machines
Clean any detergent or bleach spillages immediately to avoid damaging the machine. Many units have filters at the water inlets, which should be cleaned or replaced annually. Ensure there are no leaks in the water supply system, and follow manufacturer instructions on descaling.
Clothes Dryers
The major challenge with these is clogging from lint entrapment with each clothing load. This clogging can reduce airflow and reduce performance and efficiency. Ensure that the dryer vent leads outside the house, never inside. Clean the hose and vent to rid them of trapped lint and prevent fire risk.
However, if you do find that your appliances start acting up, consider contacting an appliance repairs specialist.
Share19 January 2016
Welcome to my blog. My name is Mia. A few years ago, my partner and I bought an old home. It needed to have all new wiring installed, and through that process of working closely with a fabulous electrician, I learned a lot. I learned everything, from which questions to ask, to how to do a bit of wiring on my own. If you are hiring an electrician, you need to explore my posts. I hope they help guide you in the right direction. Now, that our home is finally, for the first time, not in the midst of a repair or project, I decided to start this blog. In addition, I also like to fish and read.