Greenlinks Blog
Is It Time For a Tune-Up?
-Just as your car needs scheduled maintenance, your home appliances also require regular inspections to make sure they're running smoothly and conserving energy. Here's how to determine whether your major appliances need repair.
Refrigerator: Twice a year, unplug your fridge and vacuum and brush the condenser coils and cooling fan. "When these parts aren't cleaned, they overheat and work a lot harder than they should," says Chris Zeisler, guru for RepairClinic.com
Range: Regularly clean the burners, drip pans, and interior of your electric range to keep it in tip-top shape and improve efficiency, Zeisler says. Soot on a gas range indicates a problem - one that requires professional help.
Dishwasher: Remove debris clogging the small holes in the spray arms. If the filter at the bottom of the machine is dirty, clean it using the instructions in your owner's manual. Don't use your dishwasher regularly? Remove soap deposits - and food odors - by running an empty load with a cup of white vinegar.
Washing Machine: Check water-fill hoses for wear and replace as needed to prevent bursting; make sure the machine is level, with all four legs touching the ground; remove debris from the lint filter near the top of the tub.
Clothes Dryer: Clear the link screen after every load. Regularly clean the dryer vent, exhaust duct, and the area behind the dryer to remove lint. "A thorough inside-and-out cleaning is mandatory," Ziesler says. If your dryer has plastic accordion-style venting - a major fire hazard - replace it with rigid mental venting stat.