Wondering how long does a washing machine take to wash clothes? Well, according to washer repair professionals, it often depends on the type of washing machine you have. Here is the average amount of time it takes for different washing machines to clean clothes:

• Front-loading machines: 70-120 minutes
• High-efficiency top-loading machines: 60-85 minutes
• Agitator top-loading machines: 35-80 minutes

If you have been following washing machines, you should have noticed that these figures are higher than years before, and there is a reason for that—washing machine manufacturers are deliberately designing slower machines.

While this might be off-putting as it means you will be spending more time waiting for the clothes to get clean, it comes with several perks:

• The clothes don’t tear or wear out too fast as the machine isn’t too fast, and this comes in handy at ensuring that the clothes last for a long time.
• Although the washing machine manufacturers have come up with slower machines, they have increased the tub capacities meaning that you can wash more clothes than before, which means you still save time.
• You spend less water as the machine isn’t pulling a lot of water. When the washing machine is spinning at high speed, the machine consumes a lot of water, which increases your monthly water bill.
• Since most modern washing machines are slower, they don’t consume a lot of water which sees you saving money as your water bill isn’t too high.

How the washing machine works

If this is your first time using the washing machine, you should know that it works in different stages that include:

Prewash: Here, the lid locks, and the tub senses the load’s weight and volume. It then fills with water and agitates the clothes lightly to distribute the detergent throughout the load. If you had selected the presoak option, this is where it will occur.

Wash: At this stage, the clothes will be agitated for some time then the machine allows them to rest so that the detergent can do its work. If you had chosen a heavy-duty wash cycle, the machine will have longer periods of agitation and soaking.

Rinse: Rinsing involves draining away the soapy water and spraying the clean water over the clothes. The washing machine adds clean water, spins the load to drain, and then adds clean water again to rinse away the detergents and soil.

If you are washing the delicates such as the underwear and brassieres, the washer doesn’t spin as fast, but if the cycles involve heavier soils, the washer might be fast and do several rinses to ensure that all the soils are completely removed.

Final spin: The final spin might include one or more rinses, then it picks up speed to wring out the clothes before they enter the dryer. It’s at this level when the washing machine spins at its highest, and if the load is unbalanced, you might have problems such as the machine making a lot of noise or moving around too much.

How to reduce your wash time

Even if most machines are now slow, you can do several things to ensure that they are efficient and clean the clothes as fast as possible. Some of the things you should do include:

Use the right detergent.

The detergent you use can significantly affect the time it takes to wash the clothes, so you need to ensure that you use the right one. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you use a detergent specifically designed for the machine model you are using.

Balance your load

According to appliance repair Springfield professionals, the load will often get unbalanced if you have overloaded it, mixed heavy and lightweight items, or using an improperly leveled machine.

Most modern machines will pause the cleaning cycle when they sense the load is imbalanced, which results in you wasting a lot of time.

To save time, take your time when loading the machine and ensure that you have loaded it properly. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you have loaded the right amount of clothes. Also, ensure that you aren’t mixing lightweight and heavyweight clothing items in the same cycle.

The post How Long Does A Washing Machine Take To Wash Clothes? first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Appliances are essential aspects of life and understanding when they need to be repaired or replaced is important. In this post, we examine some basic questions you should ask yourself before replacing or repairing any appliance.

How Much Would It Cost?

Generally, the larger the appliance the costlier it is. So if your stove breaks, you’re looking at a major investment to buy a new one. But if your microwave goes, you can purchase one for under $75. Consumer Reports advises that if the cost to repair your appliance is greater than half the cost of a new one, it makes sense to replace it. Obviously you won’t know how much the repair would cost without consulting an appliance repair service. At Dave’s Appliance, our experts can diagnose your appliance’s problem and give you an estimate for the repair. With all of that information, you can make an informed decision.

How Much Do You Value It?

Other than cost, you have to consider how much you value your current appliance. Your refrigerator/freezer may have external ice and water dispensers, pull-out shelving, and other features you really appreciate. Your washer and dryer may fit just perfectly into the space in your utility room. Maybe you love to cook and bake and your stove suits you perfectly. Your appliances could be built-in and that customization is worth preserving. It might even be that your appliances coordinate with your decor. These are definitely legitimate reasons to hesitate about replacing them when they break. Again, a visit from one of the friendly members of Dave’s Appliance team will help you understand the extent of your problem.

How Old Is It?

In the appliance world, there is a general 50% rule: replace an appliance that is more than halfway through its expected life span and requires repair work that’s more than half its original cost. The average lifespan of appliances are as follows (in years):
Dishwasher: 9
Dryer: 13
Electric stove: 13
Exhaust fan: 10
Freezer: 11
Garbage Disposal: 12
Gas stove: 15
Microwave: 9
Range hood: 14
Refrigerator: 13
Trash Compactor: 6
Washer: 10

How Energy Efficient Is It?

Often, the environmental impact of repairing or replacing isn’t considered at all. But it’s something for you to consider. If your appliance is old and inefficient, it’s using a lot of electricity. That’s bad for the environment and bad for your utility bills. If your appliance was made after 1992, it should have an Energy Star Rating to let you know how efficient it is. You can compare it to current appliances’ efficiency. On the other hand, your old appliance can’t just be thrown out. Major household appliances are banned from landfills in Wisconsin and the state urges that they be reused or recycled. In many places in Wisconsin, appliances are not picked up at the curb with other recyclables, nor are they accepted at many general recycling drop-off sites. It may be the more environmentally-responsible choice to repair rather than replace.

Would Appliance Maintenance Help?

The lifespan of all of your appliances will be extended if you are conscientious about maintenance. You can do a lot of the maintenance yourself; you can clean out the dryer vent, vacuum the condenser coils of your refrigerator and freezer, and keep your stove-top clean. Those small maintenance practices will make a difference. You can also call the experts at Dave’s Appliance to come and give your appliances a tune-up once or twice a year. Getting into this habit will prevent problems from happening and definitely minimize the need for repair or replacement.

With the right information, you can make a sound decision about whether your appliance needs replacing or repairing. With the right maintenance, that decision will be postponed. If you have worries or concerns about any of your appliances, contact the experts at Dave’s Appliance. We will help you sort out your options.

The post Questions to Ask Before Repairing or Replacing an Appliance appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

Have you noticed that your fridge is no longer cooling the food, and you wonder what to do if your fridge stops cooling? Well, there are plenty of things you can do to bring your appliance back to working order. And the beauty is you don’t have to hire a refrigerator repair professional to help with fixing it.

Some of the things you should do include:

Clean the condenser coils

Condenser coils are located under or behind the fridge (depending on the fridge model), and their role is to cool and condense the refrigerant. When you go for a long time without cleaning your appliance, dirt collects on the coils, and this prevents the heat from being released efficiently, and it ends up in the fridge.

You should inspect the coils, and if dirty, clean them with a handheld vacuum or special refrigerator coil brush.

Fix the broken condenser fan

The condenser fan is located in a cabinet at the bottom of the fridge, near the condenser coils and compressor. Its job is to keep the compressor and coils cool.

When is the last time you hired an appliance repair contractor to inspect your appliance? If it has been long and your fridge is still not cooling, chances are high the condenser fan is broken, and when the fan breaks down, the fridge begins to heat up.

To restore your fridge to proper working condition, check whether the fan blade is broken. While at it, inspect it to see if dust or debris is present on the fan blades.

If the fan blade is broken, you might have to hire a contractor to help you replace it, but you need to gently wipe the blades with a clean towel if dirty.

As you are cleaning them, rotate them. Are they rotating? If they aren’t, you might be having a problem with the fan’s motor.

Motors don’t come cheap so before you replace them, consider the age of your appliance. If your fridge is over 10 years and it has been consistently developing problems, you are better off simply replacing the unit as there is no point in installing an expensive fan motor on a dying refrigerator.

On the other hand, if your appliance is just a few years old, you can go ahead and buy a fan motor for your appliance. When buying a new unit, ensure that it’s high quality and will last for a long time.

Fix the evaporator fan

Evaporator coils are located in a panel behind the freezer, and the refrigerant runs through the coils and turns to gas and makes the coils cold, and consequently, the food in the fridge cools.

The evaporator fan draws the cool air from the coils to circulate throughout the entire unit, where it begins from the freezer and then into the refrigerator.

If the evaporator fan is broken, cool air doesn’t circulate properly, and it’s not uncommon to end up with a freezer that is cold as the freezer area is near where the coils are located. Although the freezer will be cold, the food compartment doesn’t get cold as the cold air isn’t getting pushed there.

If the problem is due to a faulty evaporator fan, you should replace the fan motor. Like in the previous scenario, only install a new motor if your appliance is still new and in good condition. Don’t install an expensive motor on an appliance that is on its deathbed.

Remove frost from the evaporator coils.

As mentioned above, the evaporator fan draws cool air from the evaporator coils and moves it throughout the entire refrigerator, including the freezer.

When the fan stops working, and you don’t fix it early enough, the coils might frost over.

To remove the frost from the coils, you should remove the back panel and let the coils thaw for a day or two.

If the fan has been running, but the coils have frosted over, the frosting might be due to another reason that should be looked at by an experienced and certified commercial appliance repair Fairfax professional.

You should never ignore the frosted coils as they can bring about a plethora of problems such as a malfunctioning defrost heater and broken defrost thermostat.

The post What to Do If Your Fridge Stops Cooling first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

On average, a dryer can last anywhere from a decade to 25 years. How long it lasts depends on many factors, including the quality of the dryer, how it is maintained, and more. Keep reading to learn about dryer maintenance that can help extend its lifetime significantly. If you need appliance repair or maintenance, contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934 for help.

Follow the Instructions in Your Dryer’s Manual

Your dryer comes with an owner’s manual,
and you should read it. While we can give general advice that works for most
dryers, the truth is that every machine is different. Follow the specific
advice for your machine over any other advice you are given.

Divide Laundry by Fabric Weight

Many people sort their laundry by color.
This makes sense to prevent a redshirt from turning your whites pink, but
today’s clothing is very often color-safe. If that is the case, then you should
be sorting based on weight. This is because lightweight fabrics dry much faster
than heavy fabrics.

If you have a lot of heavy fabrics within a
load that is otherwise light, then your dryer has to keep drying until all the
heavy things are dried. If you put lightweight items together, they can dry
more quickly and require less time.

Clean Out Your Dryer

You should clean the lint out of your dryer
after every single load. If not, lint can build up and become trapped within
the cracks and crevices of your dryer. Even small amounts of lint can build up
as time goes on and can make your dryer less efficient. Poorly sealed doors can
also lead to mold growth and longer drying times.

Lower the Heat and Drying Times

You do not need high heat for every load of
clothing. Each load needs a different amount of time-based on the amount of
clothing within it and what is in it. If you’re not in a hurry, lower the
temperature and set it to a 40-minute cycle. If that’s not done, then you can put
it back in for another ten minutes.

Air Dryer When Possible

If it’s a nice day and you have light
clothing, consider letting it air dry. Not only does this help lower wear and
tear on your dryer, but it reduces energy use, and it can help prolong the
lifespan of your dryer. You don’t have to do it every time for it to make a
difference.

Do You Need Appliance Help? We Are Here for You

If you are in need of dryer repair or
maintenance, we welcome your call to American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934. Let us know how we
can help, and we can get you set up for an appointment.

The post Learn How to Help Your Dryer Work as Long as Possible appeared first on American Appliance Repair.

Every homeowner knows they have to replace their fridge at a certain point, unfortunately, most don’t know when they should do it. Are you wondering, when should I replace my refrigerator? According to appliance repair professionals, fridges give several signals that it’s time to replace them. Some of these signals include:

The back of the fridge feels hot.

The back of the fridge will feel hot due to a malfunctioning motor. If your appliance is less than 8 years and hopefully under warranty, get in touch with a repair professional to fix it. If the appliance is older than this, there is no point in fixing the motor as doing so will set you back hundreds of dollars, and it will be a matter of a few months before you need a new fridge.

The fridge is sweating.

A properly functioning fridge should be dry, so if yours is sweating, there is definitely something wrong with it.

When your refrigerator is sweating, it’s a sign that the unit has insufficient cooling capabilities, and it will sweat in different areas. If the moisture is on the appliance’s exterior, check the door seal and if worn out or damaged, replace it.

If the seal is in good condition and the fridge is sweating on the inside, that is a giveaway that the internal temperature isn’t cold enough to prevent the food from spoiling, and it’s time to replace it.

You can hear the motor running.

It’s normal for the motor to run, but it shouldn’t be running at maximum speed, and if this is the case, there is something wrong with your unit as there is no need for the fridge to regulate and re-regulate the temperature constantly.

If the motor keeps running, you have a problem in your hands, and you should have it taken care of by a professional. Again, if the fridge is less than 8 years, you can fix the motor, but you are better off saving some money and getting a new unit if older than this.

The fridge is not making any sound.

A quiet refrigerator is as bad as a loud one, so if your unit is completely silent, you have a problem that you should address as soon as possible. If the fridge is quiet and the food isn’t cooling, that is a sign of a damaged refrigerator.

You should unplug the fridge, then plug it back in and confirm whether it’s back to proper working condition. If the problem persists despite there being power, get in touch with a repair professional to fix the unit. If the fridge is more than 8 years, you will most likely be better off getting a new unit than repairing the old one.

The refrigerator keeps breaking down.

Any appliance close to the end of its life keeps breaking down, which quickly adds up the repair cost. Is your refrigerator breaking down every few weeks or months? That’s an obvious sign that it’s time to get a new unit. By so doing, you will save money and have peace of mind as you will be working with a reliable appliance.

Frost keeps building up in the freezer.

It’s common for some frost to develop in the freezer, but these are often easily remedied by turning off the freezer and giving the frost time to melt. As you can guess, the frost in the appliance often isn’t a lot.

When your fridge is malfunctioning or too old, it will produce a lot of frost that is difficult to get rid of. Do you find yourself chiseling through piles of frost whenever you are looking for a frozen entrée? Your appliance might be outdated, and you should get a new unit that is energy efficient and won’t need the annoying and time-consuming manual defrosting.

Your energy bills are through the roof.

Have you noticed that your energy bills are ever-increasing, but you haven’t added another appliance? Chances are your fridge is running inefficiently.

To confirm whether this is the case, refrigerator repair Springfield recommend you plug in an energy usage monitor between the fridge and the outlet to determine the amount of wattage the fridge is drawing and the estimated energy bill. If the fridge’s energy usage increases month to month, it’s time to think about getting a new unit.

The post When Should I Replace My Refrigerator? first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Glass cooktops come with plenty of perks. They are sleek, contemporary and when spills happen, the spills remain on the surface, making the cooktops easy to wipe and clean.

Unfortunately, cooktops repair professionals report that homeowners do several things that damage the cooktops, and they are forced to replace them before their time. Would you love to learn about these things? Here they are:

Sliding the cookware

When you slide your cookware across your glass top, the aluminum and copper can rub off the cookware and leave permanent marks on the cooktops. For your cooktops to last for a long time, avoid sliding anything on them. If you accidentally slide anything on the cooktops, move with haste and remove it. As a rule of thumb, don’t put on the stove before you remove the marks made as the heat will cause them to adhere to the surface permanently.

Placing soiled cookware on the cooktops

It’s normal for food debris such as grease to remain on the cooktops, and when you place the cookware on the glass cooktop, the grease can melt onto the glass and stain the cooktop. To avoid these stains, inspect the bottoms of your cookware and if they have any grease on them, clean them. You shouldn’t place any soiled cookware on your cooktop.

Allowing spillovers to stay on the cooktops

It’s sometimes impossible to prevent spillovers from happening as you might lose your attention by just a few minutes, then the food you are preparing spills over.

When this happens, you shouldn’t ignore it, hoping that you will clean it later on. Instead, move with haste and clean it as soon as the glass top cools. The reason for this is because the spills will be difficult to remove later on. In fact, the spills might lead to a permanent stain.

Using scrubby sponges

Cleaning glass cooktops is vital as it leaves the surfaces clean and inviting, but you need to watch the materials you use for cleaning. One of the mistakes homeowners make is to clean the surfaces using the scrubby side of the sponge. While the side might remove the stubborn stains, it’s too abrasive and can lead to serious scratches.

When you are cleaning the cooktops, stick to using the soft side of the sponge. Regardless of how stained the cooktops are, don’t give in to the urge to flip over the sponge and use the scrubby side.

In the same way, you shouldn’t clean the cooktop using the scrubby side, you also shouldn’t use steel wool. While the steel wool might remove most of the tough stains, it can leave deep unsightly pits on the cooktop’s surface.

Food particles can get stuck in these crevasses, and bacteria grow on them, putting your life and that of your loved ones in danger.

Cleaning the cooktops when hot

When you have a spill or are in a hurry to get the cooktop clean, you might be tempted to clean the cooktop while hot but don’t do it. This is because the cleaning products you use can quickly burn, damaging the glass cooktop’s finish and, in return, leave you with pits or boils.

The right thing to do is wait for the cooktop to cool down, then slowly clean it, removing all the spilled products.

Putting a lot of pressure on the cooktop

Homeowners know better not to sit on the cooktop, so most of them find themselves placing a lot of pressure when cleaning them. As you try to reach the hard-to-reach areas, it’s common to find yourself placing your elbow on the cooktop, which is wrong as you can easily crack the cooktop.

When you are doing the cleaning, be conscious of the location of your hands, so you don’t unknowingly put all of your weight on the cooktop’s surface and crack it.

Cleaning the cooktops using a glass cleaner

It sounds logical to use a glass cleaner on the glass cooktops, but this isn’t the right thing. According to appliance repair Northern VA professionals, the ammonia in the glass cleaner can be too strong for the glass that the glass gets damaged.

To protect your glass cooktop, don’t use the glass cleaner. Instead, use white vinegar.

The post 7 Things That Will Destroy Your Glass Cooktop first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

When your washing machine starts vibrating madly it can be alarming. But is it actually an indication of a problem? Yes, it is. The problem may be something easily dealt with or it may be an indication of something more serious. In any case, if your washing machine is shaking, thumping, and threatening to walk out of its place, you need to pay attention.

Distribution in the Drum

When your washing machine gets off balance only occasionally, the cause may well be the distribution of the items in the drum. Sometimes a particular item may be much heavier than others and its presence can make the machine start to shake, especially during the spin cycle. For instance, if you are washing your bath mat along with your bedding, the material of the bath mat absorbs much more water than the cotton sheets. The difference in weight between that single item and the others is enough to throw the washing machine off balance.

Overfilling

Another reason that your washing machine may get off balance sometimes is overfilling. When too many items arein the drum, the agitation and the spin cycles of the machine are compromised. You may think that you’re saving time, energy, and water by filling your washing machine beyond capacity, but you’re not. If the clothes can’t be vigorously agitated, they can’t be cleaned properly. If they can’t move around enough for the spin cycle to be effective, it will take much longer for the dryer to dry them. So now you’ll have several problems instead of the one issue of your washing machine being off balance.

What To Do

You may be tempted to just ignore your washing machine if it gets off balance once in a while. Don’t. Every time your washing machine goes off balance, it is straining and potentially damaging the internal workings. If you hear it thumping and shaking, you need to act. If the problem is unequal distribution, remove the heavier items and spin them separately. If the problem is overfilling, take some of the items out and restart the washing machine to be sure your clothes get clean. Doing this may cause some inconvenience, but it may save your washing machine.

Machine Not Level

Both of the examples above result from specific laundry loads causing the machine to go out of kilter. If your washing machine vibrates and shakes every time you use it, there’s something else going on. It may be that your machine is not actually level. All buildings settle and it’s entirely possible that your laundry room floor is not completely level. In order to determine if this is the issue, simply place a level on top of your washing machine. If it indicates that there’s a problem, then adjust the feet of the washing machine until the level shows true.

None of the Above

When you have eliminated all of the above causes and your washing machine is still threatening to walk out on you, it’s time to call in the experts at Dave’s Appliance. It’s probably an issue with the internal parts of the machine. Anything from loose or displaced screws or bolts to a broken belt could be the culprit. In any event, it’s important to get the problem resolved. Just as driving a car that has no oil can ruin the entire motor, ignoring an off balance washing machine can ruin the whole machine.

The post Washing Machine Off Balance? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

Appliances are so important in our day to day lives that when they break down, we want them repaired immediately. However, many people fear the cost of repair, and have no idea how to anticipate what a reasonable price for an appliance repair would be. This post will help you to understand appliance repair costs so the next time you have an appliance break down, you’ll know what kind of bill to expect.

Is the Repair Necessary?

Before you get too upset about having a broken appliance, make sure you actually have a broken appliance. Check the obvious things first: Was the circuit breaker tripped? Is it getting power (or water)? Will a thorough cleaning eliminate the issue? You’d hate to have to pay for a service call when something simple is needed. If your appliance does need repair, remember to check the warranty. If it’s still under regular or extended warranty, the repair might be free.

Repair or Replace?

The rule of thumb is that you should repair the appliance if the price to fix it is less than half of the cost of a new one. You should also consider how old your appliance is. While refrigerators used to last 20 years or so, the expected lifespan is much shorter now. It would be wise to find out the typical lifespan of the appliance that is broken; then you can make a more informed decision.

National and Local Average Costs

As you may suspect, appliance repair costs vary widely. Which appliance needs repair and where you live make a difference. Obviously, a garbage disposal repair would cost significantly less than a water heater repair. Other factors that contribute to determining the cost of a repair are: parts; service charge; and labor. Because professionals need to come to your home to fix your appliance, there is a minimum service charge, usually equivalent to the cost of one hour of labor. The average expense for most appliance repairs is $175, and the typical range is from $50 – $500. The usual charge for labor varies greatly, from $50 to $150 an hour. Milwaukee’s average cost of appliance repair is $184, and the labor charge is between $53 to $158 per hour.

Typical Repair Costs for Specific Appliances

Water heater repairs are probably the most expensive, averaging $500. Considering that a new water heater costs well over $1000 though, repair is almost always a good idea. Refrigerator/freezer units generally cost between $200 to $300; if you have a built-in unit, the cost could be higher (though it would also be much more difficult to replace). Stand-alone freezers cost a little less to fix, running between $200 and $250. Whether your range is gas or electric, the average repair cost is between $100 and $200. And completing the kitchen appliances, dishwasher repairs average $160 while disposals are $150. In the laundry room, fixing your washing machine will run you between $125 and $250. If you have an electric dryer, its repair is usually between $150 and $3000. If you have a gas dryer, you can add between $50 and $100 more onto that tab.

Of course, these are very rough estimates. They don’t take into account what is actually needed to fix your appliance. But they give you some idea of what you might expect when an appliance breaks down.

Give the experienced and helpful appliance experts at Dave’s Appliance a call. They’re happy to help you figure out your best solution.

The post What is the average cost of appliance repair? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

Appliances help us keep our lives on track. Where would we be without our refrigerator/freezer, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, and garbage disposal? When any one of these stops functioning, it can quickly turn from an inconvenience into a disaster. Your immediate impulse might be to replace the appliance that is broken. But is that always the right option? Here is a quick guide to help you decide whether your appliance is worth repairing.

How Much Would It Cost?

Generally, the larger the appliance the costlier it is. So if your stove breaks, you’re looking at a major investment to buy a new one. But if your microwave goes, you can purchase one for under $75. Consumer Reports advises that if the cost to repair your appliance is greater than half the cost of a new one, it makes sense to replace it. Obviously you won’t know how much the repair would cost without consulting an appliance repair service. At Dave’s Appliance, our experts can diagnose your appliance’s problem and give you an estimate for the repair. With all of that information, you can make an informed decision.

Which Appliance Is it?

Other than cost, you have to consider how much you value your current appliance. Your refrigerator/freezer may have external ice and water dispensers, pull-out shelving, and other features you really appreciate. Your washer and dryer may fit just perfectly into the space in your utility room. Maybe you love to cook and bake and your stove suits you perfectly. It might even be that your appliances coordinate with your decor. These are definitely legitimate reasons to hesitate about replacing them when they break. Again, a visit from one of the friendly members of Dave’s Appliance team will help you understand the extent of your problem.

How Old Is It and Is It Still Under Warranty?

Major appliances like refrigerators or chest freezers often last from 10 to 20 years. Other appliances like trash compactors have an average life span of about 6 years. Most appliances also come with warranties, and often those can be extended if you choose to do so. When an appliance breaks down, it would be a good idea to find out if its warranty is still in force. If it’s not, check to see what the average life span is for your brand of that particular appliance.

What’s The Environmental Impact?

Often, the environmental impact of repairing or replacing isn’t considered at all. But perhaps you should think about it. If your appliance is old and inefficient, it may be using a lot of electricity. That’s bad for the environment and bad for your utility bills. If your appliance was made after 1992, it should have an Energy Star Rating to let you know how efficient it is. You can compare it to current appliances’ efficiency. On the other hand, your old appliance can’t just be thrown out. Major household appliances are banned from landfills in Wisconsin and the state urges that they be reused or recycled. In many places in Wisconsin, appliances are not picked up at the curb with other recyclables, nor are they accepted at many general recycling drop-off sites. It may be the more environmentally-responsible choice to repair rather than replace.

Whatever your appliance concern, the experts at Dave’s Appliance will be able to tell you what the problem is and help you decide whether or not it’s worth repairing. Give us a call.

The post Is Your Appliance Worth Repairing? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

Your refrigerator/freezer unit is a major appliance, and therefore a major investment. And it’s also a major problem when it breaks down. After all, you can’t have all the food in your fridge/freezer spoiling, so it feels pretty desperate when it stops working. Contact the professionals at Dave’s Appliance to get a quick diagnosis of the problem. Once you know what’s wrong, you can consider which course of action to take, repair or replacement. Here’s a brief guide.

Fluctuating Temperature

The food in your fridge isn’t cool enough and you’re finding that it spoils much too soon. Maybe the ice cream in your freezer is always soft serve. That’s not good. On the other hand, you might find your milk with frozen shards in it and your ice cream requires a chisel to extract it from the container. Fluctuating temperatures can be a really small problem, or they can be a really big one. The problem might be as minor as the thermostat getting bumped. Make sure that no family members are trying to “fix” the problem by repeatedly resetting the temperature. Even if the thermostat itself is broken, that’s a relatively minor repair. At the other end of the spectrum, fluctuating temperature may indicate a problem with the compressor or motor. The experts at Dave’s Appliance will be able to get to the source of the issue, and can let you know if it’s worth repairing your fridge/freezer.

Water On The Floor

Water on the floor by your refrigerator might indicate a big issue with your appliance, and even if it doesn’t, it’s a safety hazard for you and your family. You don’t want anybody slipping on the water and getting injured. It doesn’t necessarily mean a costly repair, however. It might be that the doors aren’t shutting properly, possibly due to a faulty latch; the seals could be the culprit. The water could be coming from the accumulated condensation within the unit not draining as it should. It could be that the hoses that go from the compressor to the drip pan are cracked and leaking–an easy, inexpensive fix. It might be that the drip pan itself is broken. Again, that’s not a big deal. It’s important to find out the exact cause of the problem, though, and Dave’s Appliance can help you there.

Loud Motor/Funny Noises

All refrigerator/freezers make some noise. The motor needs to come on to run the condenser. If you’re hearing your refrigerator running continuously, that could indicate something seriously wrong. You should call one of the experts at Dave’s Appliance to find out more. Likewise, if you’re hearing your refrigerator running loudly when you’re not even in the kitchen, that’s another good indicator of a significant issue. Someone from Dave’s Appliance team can diagnose the problem and let you know whether or not you should repair it.

Age and Efficiency

Other factors that you should consider are the age and efficiency of your unit. If you have a refrigerator that was made before 1992, it won’t even have an energy efficiency rating and you can bet that it’s costing you more in electricity than it should. Otherwise, your unit should have an Energy Star rating. You can compare it with current ones and make an informed decision. The kind of fridge/freezer you have also has an impact on how long it lasts. It varies by design and by brand. The general rule of thumb is that if it is over 5 years old, you should investigate the average lifespan of your particular unit. Of course, if your fridge/freezer is under warranty, you should certainly get it fixed.

When your fridge/freezer isn’t working as it should, call Dave’s Appliance and make sure you know exactly what is wrong. Once you do, you can make an informed decision about whether you should repair it or replace it.

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