Appliance Maintenance Tips: Reduce Repairs

Genier's Appliances
2019-12-06T11:30:00-05:00

It’s a new decade, and that means it’s time to stay on top of your home appliance maintenance! Check out these tips for keeping everything running smoothly.
More

Before you call the repairman, see how you can maintain and clean your home appliances to make them work better.

With all that cooking to cleaning, you and your home appliances have likely been working overtime to maintain your home. It’s time to think about your appliances and how to keep them running their best throughout the year. Use our checklist and learn how to maintain and clean your appliances; and when to consider repairs or replacements. Don’t forget to include those shiny, new appliances you received for Christmas so you can expand their warranty beyond their use-by date.

January - March

With the vision of Christmas dinner still in your head, this is a good time to snap on those rubber gloves and give your kitchen appliances a good clean. Don’t wait ‘til spring, instead tackle the grease built up from cooking your Christmas turkey now. Most Canadian appliances’ dealers give directions on how to operate self-cleaning cook ranges and also how to safely clean your induction cooktop or grates and burners on your gas range. If you need any tips, just contact us!

Other kitchen maintenance tips to follow include:

Remove the revolving tray from your microwave and cleaning the interior

Replace your kitchen ventilation filter

Give your dishwasher a vinegar rinse and remove and clean or replace the filter

Bin old leftovers from your refrigerator and give your fridge a good clean

Defrost and clean your freezer

Check the carbon filtration system in your wine fridge and replace the filter if necessary

Clean out the fridge and eliminate those holiday leftovers that got ignored

April - June

After a long season of washing and drying your winter woollies, spring is a good time to maintain your washers and dryers. This is not only important in helping them work better but can also prevent any electrical issues and in your dryer’s case, prevent fires.

With your washing machine, make sure to:

Check hoses for any cracks and leaks and repair as necessary

Clean the lint filter

Wash and rinse away soap residue by running a ½ cup of distilled white vinegar in an empty load

Maintain your dryer by:

Removing and cleaning out the exhaust duct line that connects your dryer to the vent

Vacuuming and removing all the lint and dust from inside your lint filter trap

Washing your lint filter with a mixture of detergent and water

After that maintenance is complete, look at your refrigerator and give it a thorough cleaning. Your refrigerator runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it the most-used appliance in your home. As the temperature rises, these workhorses strain to keep their interiors cool.

Make sure the condenser coils are free from dust and pet hair. This improves the efficiency and keeps this hard-working machine running in tip-top shape through the summer. If you’re unsure of where the condenser coils are located (every refrigerator is different), call your BC appliance experts. They’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

July - September

This is a good time to look to the unique appliances we use in summer. This includes grills and barbecues as well as wine and beverage fridges.

When the season begins, maintain your barbecue or gas grill by:

Cleaning the burner and tubes with warm, soapy water and a soft towel

Washing the grill’s interior and exterior surfaces with a safety certified wire brush

Cleaning cooking grates in warm, soapy water

Checking the propane tank

Your beverage fridges probably don’t require too much maintenance, but it’s always a good idea to clear everything out and check for any spills or residue that has leaked. Plus, wiping everything down can help you make sure there’s no odd smells the next time you reach for a drink.

As far as regular home appliances go, when you turn off the heat in your house for the summer, remember to turn down the thermometer on your hot water tank too. Since the air is warmer, the hot water tank doesn’t need to work as hard to heat the water. You’ll most likely be looking forward to cooler showers during the hot summer months anyway, and you can expect cheaper utility bills in the mail as well.

During the summer months, change your washer’s settings to cold water. This can save you $70 off your yearly energy bills! If you’re feeling really ambitious, invest in a clothesline and hang all your clothes to dry. Your clothes capture that coveted fragrance of fresh air, and the energy and warm air from the dryer won’t contribute to increased temperatures in your home. A quick note, if you have a Homeowner’s Association in your area, clotheslines may not be permitted.

October - December

‘Tis the season to check your appliances to see if they are working properly. With major holidays approaching soon, you’re likely to be using your kitchen more. Make sure everything is in working order and no strange sounds or sparks are coming off your appliances!

Did you know that cleaner stoves and ovens work better? If you have an old food caked on to the burners and grates, it can take longer for things to heat up. Set aside time to get everything scrubbed down before you settle into your baking regiment.

If you do find something’s amiss, consider whether you need appliance repair in Kelowna or if you’re better off purchasing new appliances. Keep in mind, there is a chance that the repairs may take longer than expected during the seasonal rushes, so if you do decide that route try to give yourself more time!

When repairs don’t seem feasible, it might be time to stop by your friendly appliance experts at Genier’s and upgrade!

Ready to upgrade, but not sure what to do with your older appliances? We can help: The Four Rs: What to Do with your Older/Worn-Out Vernon Appliances

Kelowna appliance stores such as Genier’s have a team of repair specialists that can get any appliance working again. We also offer competitive pricing on more than 58 brands of the world’s best new home appliances. Our large showroom features live kitchens and our expert commission-free staff are always available to answer all your questions.