APPLIANCE REPAIR

 Regardless of your chosen power source, make sure it is Energy-Star certified for the most efficient features available. Boasting they are “20 percent more efficient than standard models,” Energy-Star electric and gas dryers both include moisture sensors to reduce dry times and lower heat settings to reduce power. These features can increase efficiency and cut down on usage costs.

 Both gas and electric units with comparable features will dry clothing in about the same amount of time. However, gas models heat up faster, so they have the edge for speed over electric dryers.

 Another determining factor is if the appliance is vented or non-vented. Gas dryers must be vented to eliminate toxic fume build-up, but electric styles are available with and without vents. Vent-less units typically use a condenser to heat the air. Then it evaporates the water, drains into a chamber, and then reheats it to start the process. While this method eliminates the need for outdoor exhaust, it slows drying.

 We’ve talked about the toxic fumes that can build up on gas dryers, but now it’s time to identify the real risk factors associated with poor ventilation for your dryer.

 Building Code restrictions—some local laws prohibit dryer use without an exterior venting system. The concern with gas dryers is the possibility of carbon monoxide build-up, especially in a confined area. This colourless, odourless gas can cause dizziness, dull headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, blurred vision, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness or death.

 Humidity—approximately two litres of water evaporates from every load of laundry. If you allow that water vapour to be released back into your room (as is the case with some electric dryers), the humidity will rise, and the excessive moisture in the air can lead to mould and mildew. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of the world’s population is allergic to mould. Reactions range from congestion and wheezing to red eyes or skin rashes. Continued exposure can lead to dizziness, fever, shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms. They’ve also been known to cause attacks for people suffering from asthma. You can run a dehumidifier in your laundry area to reduce some of the extra moisture in the room but keep in mind the extra electricity that will be used to run it.

 Lint—this seems harmless enough, especially when just a few pieces are stuck on your clothing. Unfortunately, lint accumulation in your dryer or dissipation around your room can be hazardous. A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report on dryers indicates that most dryer fires are caused by highly flammable lint build-up. Electric dryers pose a greater fire risk than gas as they produce more heat. This is a significant concern, with more than 15,000 fires causing injury, death, and millions in property damage. Ensure to clean out the lint filter after every load and annually clear out the lint from the exhaust pipe to the outside.

 Numerous common problems are reported with gas and electric dryers, so it’s difficult to determine a clear winner in this category. FIX Appliances CA offers affordable, same-day service, so you’ll be up and running quickly.

 While the most environmentally friendly method of drying clothes is to hang them outside to air dry, the convenience and practicality of using a dryer make this the most popular option today.

 Buying an Energy-Star-certified appliance with its Eco-friendly features will help you be efficient and conserve energy. Of course, if you use renewable energy sources like wind or solar power, you’ll be helping the planet even more.

 Clean the filter—as mentioned above, cleaning the lint filter regularly will help reduce fire risk. In addition, a clean filter will help with airflow and allow the clothes to dry faster.

 Dryer sheets leave a film on the lint filter, so if you use them regularly, clean them once a month with a toothbrush. This will remove any leftover residue and keep your machine working at its best.

 Don’t overload—having a full load for your dryer to work perfectly is important. Always remember that overloading will take more time to dry the entire load and reduce the life of the clothes.

 Check the outside dryer vent—this should be done occasionally to ensure there are no outside air leaks and that it is free from lint build-up.

 Separate clothes—try to dry similar types of clothing together. When you mix heavy denim jeans with a lightweight synthetic, your clothing will take longer to dry.

 Dry several loads consecutively—it takes less time to heat up the dryer after it’s already been running, so be sure to dry several loads one after the other.

 Now that you understand the pros and cons of gas and electric dryers, you can decide which type will work best for you. Gas is more budget-friendly than electricity overall, but the extra cost of the machine and installation of a gas line may limit the savings.

 The machines we’ve become so dependent on to keep our food fresh, our meals safely cooked, our dishes sanitized, our clothes spotlessly cleaned and quickly dried have been transformed from old workhorses to high-tech, high-efficiency assistants we can’t live without.

 While you may have owned several refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers over your lifetime and think you know everything about them, new machines are very different.

LG Appliance Repair

 Appliance manufacturers have carefully designed and engineered equipment to make your life easier. To do this, each machine is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that requires special care. The best part of owning a “smart appliance” is that it comes with a detailed instruction manual on operating, maintaining, and even troubleshooting problems with it.

 Please read the manual that comes with your appliance carefully and completely. It has everything you need to know about maintenance and individual part treatment. This may seem like a basic task, but if you treat your new appliance just like your old one, you’ll risk causing damage.

 The book will give step-by-step instructions about everything you need to know for proper operation and care. Pay close attention to recommendations for product use (i.e. high-efficiency laundry detergent) and regular maintenance requirements (i.e. replace the water filter in your refrigerator every six months for optimum purity.)

 You’ve probably spent much time researching to find the right home appliance for your needs. You may have had the luxury of time to save for the newest model with all the special features you’ve seen advertised. Most likely, however, you’ve been blindsided by a flooded laundry room or melted ice cubes and must act fast to replace your broken equipment. In each case, you may be tempted to save a few dollars by installing the appliance yourself.

 To ensure the proper installation of your brand-new appliance, hiring an experienced technician from a reputable company is highly recommended. The professionals at FIX Appliances CA are well-trained to install all brands and types of major appliances. They use only high-quality connectors, ensure the equipment is level (even a slight angle can result in damage), and always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for years of trouble-free operation.

 There are many different appliance manufacturers, each with its own product line and features. However, there are standard practices that you should follow for all lines and price ranges to keep your unit working efficiently.

 Don’t overload it. You may be tempted to fit everything into one load to save time, but your clothes won’t wash properly, and the machine may malfunction due to overloading.

 Don’t overload it. You may be tempted to fit everything into one load to save time, but your clothes won’t wash properly, and the machine may malfunction due to overloading.

 Use the proper detergent and amount as the manufacturer recommends (see owner’s manual.) High-efficiency machines may also require a specific time for when the detergent should be added for peak performance.

 Washers with a self-cleaning feature will sound an alert when cleaning is required. Even if your machine doesn’t have this function, it’s recommended that you clean the drum once a month to eliminate odours and keep your clothes spotless. Run a hot water cycle with an empty washing machine, and add lemon juice, vinegar, or a special de-scaling agent to the compartment.

 Most modern dryers are condensing, where heated air passes through a load of clothing to dry it. Instead of exhaust, a heat exchanger is used to cool the air and condense the water vapour. It can be removed with a drain pipe or a collection tank. If you have a collection tank, you’ll need to empty it before it’s full, or it will suspend the dryer’s operation.

 Every make and model of dryer requires regular cleaning of the lint filter. Remove excess lint and build-up by hand before each cycle. You can use a vacuum on low suction or wash it under running water for a heavily clogged filter. Failure to clean the filter will extend the operating time and lead to rapid deterioration and increased energy costs.

 Wash the heat exchanger with warm running water and then thoroughly dry it after every hundred cycles. Consult your instruction manual on how to access it. Is your dryer not heating or making noise? Call us now for your free dryer estimate, or request an appointment online!

 Years ago, most refrigerators needed to be defrosted every six months. Of course, today’s models are “frost-free” and cycle regularly to keep frost from building up inside. There are still a few maintenance tasks needed to keep your fridge working efficiently:

 Occasionally, unplug the fridge, discard old or spoiled food, and wash all surfaces inside and out. Be careful not to use harsh cleaners or abrasive pads around digital components or icemaker/water units.

 Check door seals regularly. Leaks will cause increased humidity levels inside the refrigerator and waste energy. This will also cause corrosion of components and can lead to a major breakdown. If you notice the seals are not closing tightly, contact an appliance repair service to replace them.

 If you have an icemaker/water line feature, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and replace the filter every six months to keep cubes and drinking water tasting fresh.