No one buys high tech appliances with the intent to use them for a short period. Unfortunately, poor care and maintenance of your appliances can negatively impact their life span and functionality. Additionally, poorly maintained appliances use more energy, require more repairs, and break down frequently.
Therefore, it’s wise to give your home or business appliances the attention they need to boost their performance and keep them running well beyond their warranties. Here are some tips for prolonging the life of your appliances:
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Install water softening systems
Most homeowners and many businesses use hard water for daily use, including cooking, washing, and cleaning. Unfortunately, hard water contains minerals that cause limescale build-up, clogging any appliances that use water, e.g., your plumbing pipes. This build-up can damage your appliances in the long run, requiring replacement or repair.
Luckily, you can get water softeners and systems for reverse osmosis in Orange County and other regions with hard water. Water softening systems not only prevent the accumulation of limescale but also prevent stains on your fixtures.
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Clean regularly
Cleaning your appliances often prevents issues such as soap, dirt, or dust build-up. For instance, using a dirty washing machine will stain your clothes, forcing you to rewash them. In the end, you use up more water, soap, and electricity, increasing your utility bills.
Furthermore, dirty appliances can develop mold and mildew growth, which poses a health risk to you and your loved ones. However, not all appliances require DIY cleaning because parts can be damaged easily. For instance, for your air conditioning unit, it’s better to hire a professional as they can carefully clean the vents, condenser coils, and fans with caution.
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Schedule a yearly inspection and maintenance service
Although most appliances are durable, they aren’t indestructible, as they can wear and tear with time. However, scheduling an inspection and maintenance service can reduce this wear and tear, increasing your appliance’s lifespan.
During an inspection, a professional checks for faulty parts, exposed wires, and malfunctions. The earlier a problem is detected, the better, since you can fix your appliances before any further damage occurs. Furthermore, yearly inspection and maintenance ensure your system performs at optimal status.
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Stick to the recommended load
One of the common mistakes homeowners and business owners make is overloading their appliances to save time. But, loading your appliances way past their recommended limit can damage its parts because of the extra pressure caused by the excessive weight.
The washer parts may also wear and tear quickly since they have to work harder, stressing the motor. Therefore, always stick to the recommended load for your dishwasher, dryer, freezer, or other appliances.
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Change your filters
Any appliance that uses filters needs frequent changing to maintain their performance. This is because filters clog up over time, trapping sediments that make it difficult for water to pass through.
Generally, water filters have a life span of three to six months. But, this depends on numerous factors such as the frequency of use and the type of filter. You can check your manufacture’s manual to know how often your filters need changing.
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Don’t wait to repair
Waiting to repair your appliances to save money may end up costing you more in the long run since a minor problem can escalate to severe. Instead, hire a repair expert as soon as you notice any changes such as odd noises and smells coming from your appliance.
Staying on top of your appliance maintenance is the best way to increase its longevity.