Imagine starting the day without the sound of your coffee pot’s drip-drip-drip of freshly brewed coffee, keeping your home warm without your trusty heating system, washing clothes and linens without a washing machine, or cooking meals without a stove, oven, or microwave. Sure, generations before us managed to survive without such luxuries, but today these appliances and many others aren’t considered luxuries – they’re necessities. And if you want to extend their lifespan and avoid costly repairs or replacement, you’ll want to give them a little TLC every now and then.
Here’s how to maintain some of your most used appliances to keep them in tip-top shape for years to come.
Clean the refrigerator coils.
Your refrigerator’s coils are responsible for cooling and condensing the refrigerant. If they become smothered in dust, pet hair, and other debris, they can lose their ability to effectively release heat. This forces the condenser to work much harder than it should to keep the inside of the fridge at the desired temperature. Vacuum the coils one to two times a year to prevent build-up.
Wash with care.
Don’t overload your washing machine as it forces the motor to work harder. On the flip side, washing half-full loads wastes water and electricity. Run full, but not too full loads and don’t overdo it on the detergent. Keep mold and mildew at bay by leaving the washing machine door open once you empty it to give the interior a chance to dry.
Don’t forget the dryer.
When was the last time you cleaned out dryer vent? That long ago, huh? A clogged dryer vent not only makes the machine work harder, shortening its lifespan and costing more to operate, it creates a fire hazard. Clean the vent and hose every 6 to 12 months to keep it running safely and efficiently.
Clean the dishwasher filter.
Did you know your dishwasher has a filter that traps food particles and gunk? If not, you’re not alone. Slide the bottom rack out to reveal the filter and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. Rinse the filter in the sink, then reinstall it to keep odors, cloudy glassware, and inefficient cleaning at bay.
Get the coffee maker dripping.
If your coffee maker is barely dripping, it could be due to scaling from hard water. To clear the scales away, pour white distilled vinegar into the reservoir, turn the coffee maker on, and allow it to run through a full cycle. Once complete, fill the reservoir with water and run another cycle to flush out the vinegar.
De-dust the dehumidifier.
Part of getting the most out of your dehumidifier is ensuring there is good airflow around it by not blocking its intake or outlet. Also, replace or clean the filter every few months and clean the coils once a year to remove dust, hair, and debris and ensure proper operation.
Follow the 3-month filter rule for your furnace.
Ignore the needs of your heating system and it might just leave you out in the cold in the middle of winter. While having your heating system serviced by a pro once a year is a good idea, there are other things you should be doing, like changing the filter every 3 months to help the unit run more efficiently.
Get the most out of your air purifier.
Help ensure your air purifier keeps doing an effective job of removing dust, pollen, and bacteria from the air. Most air purifiers have an air intake and air outlet. Blocking either makes it harder for air to circulate through the purifier, forcing it to work harder to purify the air.
So where do we come in? At Optimum Air, we provide complete indoor comfort solutions. That means heating system maintenance, repair, and new system installation, indoor air quality solutions, and so much more. Contact us today for more information and to learn just how comfortable home comfort can be.
