Top 4 Ways to Make Your Appliances Last a Lifetime
Most major household appliances only last a decade or less depending on their level of use. While that sounds like a long time between replacements, it may be sooner than you think if you purchased your home a few years ago. Prevent yourself from having to spend thousands of dollars on a new fridge or oven prematurely by making an effort to maintain them properly.
Below are four ways to extend the life of your home’s appliances and keep them running like new in the years to come!
Here are the Top 4 Ways to Make Your Appliances Last a Lifetime
Clean Stove Top Burners
Gas-powered burners are notorious for getting dirty with grease and food spills. This layer of grime can accumulate and plug up pilot holes if not cleaned after each use. Dirty burners will make cooking take longer or create an uneven heating surface.
Check the cleanliness of your stove by lighting your burners and looking at the open flame. Orange or yellow means that you need to clean your burners as soon as possible. Just make sure you allow your stovetop to cool down before you start scrubbing.
Vacuum Condenser Coils
This task may sound crazy, but it’s actually extremely important to clean your fridge’s condenser coils every few months. To stay cold, your refrigerator uses the coils to cool and condense the refrigerant. If the coils are covered in dirt and debris, your fridge will have to work harder to cool down the liquid.
Cleaning the coils only takes fifteen minutes. Simply pull your fridge away from the wall and remove the back panel if it has one. Gently vacuum the area with a brush attachment to remove all the dust and grit. If you have pets that shed, you may need to clean your coils more frequently; otherwise, you should plan to do it 3-4 times a year.
Click here to learn how to properly clean your refrigerator condenser coils.
Replace Water Filters
If your fridge has a built-in water dispenser or ice cube maker, it will have a filter inside the main compartment, waterline, or in both places. You should replace the filters at least twice a year to ensure everything keeps working effectively.
Click here to learn how to properly replace a refrigerator water filter.
Dishwashers also have filters, but these are used to strain out food particles from the wastewater. Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, you should remove and clean the filter every 3-6 months.
Click here to learn how to properly replace a dishwasher filter.
Replace Broken Parts
Sometimes appliances break, even if you make an effort to maintain them, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw them out. Most manufacturers have replacement parts available for older units. You can typically find a schematic inside your owner’s manual to locate the correct part numbers.
Click here to learn how you can use Centriq to find the right parts.
If you don’t want to complete repairs on your own, you can purchase a home warranty to cover parts and labor costs. This option is excellent for homeowners who are planning to stay in place for the next several years. You can use your contract to replace broken appliances or even more extensive systems like HVAC or plumbing.
Keeping these machines running doesn’t have to be a labor-intensive task. By taking the time to complete simple home maintenance chores, you can help your major appliances run smoothly with minimal problems.
We also have helpful information on the real costs of home ownership as well as important tasks toward properly winterizing your home.
Want more help with every thing you own?
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