Our home appliances work hard to make life more convenient, but when they break down it can be very inconvenient. Much like a car needs regular servicing and maintenance, many of the appliances in your home need looking after to make sure they keep working optimally.
It’s recommended to perform regular upkeep and maintenance on your home appliances to avoid costly breakdowns later on. Plus, a professional service can help your appliances run more efficiently, saving you money on your power bills.
Below we discuss 5 major household appliances and how to get the most out of them with regular maintenance and servicing.
1. Air conditioner
Air conditioners keep us cool in summer, and if they’re reverse cycle units, they also keep us warm in winter. An inefficient or broken air conditioner can be very frustrating. It’s important to keep your eye out for warning signs so that you can avoid costly repairs and uncomfortable days without an AC.
The air filter inside your split system air conditioning unit filters out dust, pet dander and other particles so it can deliver clean air to your room. However, over time the filter can get clogged and this reduces the air quality being put out.
You should clean or replace your air filter every few months, according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure air quality remains high and to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
It’s recommended you get a professional air conditioning service once a year, even if you don’t notice any problems. The best time to service your AC is before summer kicks in to make sure it’s in top shape for all those hot days approaching.
If you notice any funny sounds or smells coming from your AC, or if it’s failing to produce cold air, you should switch it off and call a professional.
A professional service will involve checking the wires and electrical connections, refrigerant levels, pressure levels and temperatures. They’ll also look at the coils, motor and drain line, and replace any worn out parts. A fully serviced AC will be more efficient at keeping you cool and cheaper to run.
2. Fridge
Refrigerators run non-stop to keep our food cool, so it makes sense to keep them in good shape. Inefficient fridges have to work harder to achieve the same temperatures and so they end up costing more to run. Plus, a fridge that’s working harder will have more wear and tear and need replacing sooner.
A common problem with fridges is old and worn out seals which don’t insulate the fridge properly. These should be replaced to stop cool air from leaking out.
Another common issue is dirty evaporator coils at the back of your fridge. These are responsible for dissipating unwanted heat. When dirty or corroded, they don’t work as effectively, making your fridge less efficient too.
You should call for a professional refrigeration service if you notice that your fridge is not cooling properly, is making strange noises or if the seals are damaged. It’s best to call sooner than later to avoid more costly repairs later on.
3. Oven and stove top
If your oven and stove top gets a lot of use day to day, it’s important to perform regular maintenance to keep them in good working order. Old and poorly maintained ovens are less effective at cooking and cost more to run.
Your stove top should be cleaned after every use and your oven should be cleaned out once a month or more regularly in high use periods. Be careful not to use abrasive cleaners and cloths on stainless steel stove tops. Some ovens have a self cleaning function – follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid causing any damage.
If you notice damaged burners, broken seals or gas smells in the air, you should switch your oven off and call a service technician as soon as possible. Issues caught promptly are often quick and cheap to repair, but left too long they can cause costly breakdowns.
4. Dishwasher
Your dishwasher cleans your dishes for you, but it also needs cleaning to keep doing its job properly. Food particles, oils and broken dishes can get stuck and cause problems down the line if not dealt with quickly.
Many dishwashers have a self-cleaning function. You should run this once every couple of months. If the drains are clogged or dirty, it may require a professional clean by a plumber.
Dishwashers have a number of working parts that will need repairing or replacing after a lot of use. For example, spray arms occasionally need replacing and belts may become worn and snap.
It’s time to call a professional service if you notice your dishwasher isn’t cleaning the dishes properly, is leaking, won’t drain or won’t fill up. Don’t run your dishwasher if it isn’t working properly as this can make issues worse. Get it serviced as soon as possible to avoid more serious issues.
5. Washing machine
A well maintained washing machine will be cheaper to run than a worn out machine and will have a longer lifespan.
Even though your washing machine is used to clean, it also needs cleaning every few months. For example, you may need to soak the detergent drawer in hot water to loosen any soap and fabric softener that has accumulated. The filter may need cleaning periodically to remove any fluff and debris that has collected in it.
A simple vinegar cleaning recipe and a hot cycle will clean the drum of your washing machine, but if you notice the drum is worn or wobbling, it may need replacing. Worn out seals and door hinges should be replaced to prevent leaks, and the fan motor, belts, pump should be regularly inspected for wear.
Repairing small issues with a washing machine is often cheaper than replacing the washing machine completely. However, small issues can lead to costly repairs or breakdowns when not dealt with in a timely manner. So if you notice your washing machine isn’t working properly, is leaking or is emitting an unpleasant smell, it’s time to get a professional service.
The Takeaway
We often take our appliances for granted, but a little attention and maintenance can go a long way. Not only will regular servicing reduce your everyday running costs, it’ll also extend the life of your appliances, helping you get more out of your investment. So if it’s been a while since your air conditioner, kitchen or laundry appliances had some professional attention, it’s time to give your local service technician a call.
