Home appliance maintenance is beneficial for many reasons. Not only will properly maintaining your appliances eliminate the need to replace them more often than necessary, but working with faulty appliances can be hazardous and costly: statistics show that electrical malfunctions cause 6.3% of house fires. You can reduce utility bills by performing routine maintenance, too, since maintaining household appliances helps with their efficiency. Likewise, your home’s resale value will improve if potential home buyers see that the appliances are in good working order. With that said, here are three typical home appliances that require regular maintenance, and what you can do to care for them.
Essential Home Appliances That Require Regular Maintenance
1. Your Refrigerator
Your refrigerator runs continuously and accounts for approximately 7% of your energy use. However, faulty door seals and dusty and damaged fridge coils can reduce its efficiency while increasing energy usage. Fortunately, performing routine maintenance on your fridge can help you avoid expensive repairs and utility bills. Simply cleaning the coils in the back of the fridge (to eliminate pet fur, debris, and dust) is a step in the right direction.
It’s also essential to monitor the temperature of your fridge and freezer. Optimally, your freezer’s temperature should be around 0F degrees and the refrigerator’s temperature at 37-40F degrees (if your refrigerator doesn't have a built-in thermostat, you can purchase one for less than $10). You'll also want to clean the gaskets around the refrigerator and freezer doors regularly and replace them if the doors aren't closing properly. Another trick to keep your refrigerator running efficiently is to keep it away from heat sources, which can cause it to overwork.
2. Your HVAC system
Grime and dust can build up in your HVAC system, causing it to work less efficiently than it should. This can lead to a decreased lifespan, excessive repairs, and higher utility bills. You also risk polluting your indoor air quality and comfort levels, and your unit can break down at uncomfortable periods. Moreover, a lack of routine maintenance can invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty.
It’s best to work with professional HVAC experts to get the best results. However, you can also perform DIY maintenance. The first step is to clean the dust and debris around your unit, as they are the number one reason for your unit breaking down. It’s also prudent to clean your air filter regularly and change them when necessary. Leaving your air vents open and setting your HVAC unit at an optimal temperature is also helpful. For best results, also clean the condensate drain line, evaporator coils, and condenser for the best results. Again, if this is something outside of your wheelhouse, then it's best to call a professional.
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3. Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine isn't the least expensive appliance you own, so protecting your investment makes sense. The average life of a washing machine is about 10 years, but without regular maintenance the lifespan decreases exponentially. A build up of limescale in the drum and an accumulation of soap scum, hair and other debris in the seals and gaskets are two main culprits of an inefficient washing machine. Without proper maintenance, the machine's motor can wear out too, usually on account of dirt and other debris, as well as constant overloading. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for your washing machine to break down before you do something about it. Check out what statefarm suggests for maintaining your washing machine, as well as these tips from cda.eu:
Your washing machine isn't the least expensive appliance you own, so protecting your investment makes sense. The average life of a washing machine is about 10 years, but without regular maintenance the lifespan decreases exponentially. A build up of limescale in the drum and an accumulation of soap scum, hair and other debris in the seals and gaskets are two main culprits of an inefficient washing machine. Without proper maintenance, the machine's motor can wear out too, usually on account of dirt and other debris, as well as constant overloading. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for your washing machine to break down before you do something about it. Check out what statefarm suggests for maintaining your washing machine, as well as these tips from cda.eu:
Infographic courtesy of cda.eu
No matter what specific appliance you're using, there are a few key features to check when doing routine maintenance, such as:
Finally, keep in mind that all family members who use the appliances in your home should know how to use (and care) for them properly.
- Loose wires
- Cracked hoses
- Damaged seals or gaskets
- Dirty filters
- Dusty coils
Finally, keep in mind that all family members who use the appliances in your home should know how to use (and care) for them properly.
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