Appliance Tips

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Appliance Tip #1:

For best dryer performance and to prevent possible fire, inspect outside vent weekly for lint obstruction and good air flow.

Appliance Tip #2: 

For best dishwasher performance, run water at the kitchen sink until hot just before starting your dishwasher.  It’s also best to use soft water for improved washability as well as increasing the life of your appliance.

Appliance Tip #3: 

Using a small nylon mesh laundry bag for small articles, such as children socks, etc can prevent such items from entering your wash pump and causing damage.  Always carefully check pockets and remove all items before washing such as keys, hair pins, safety pins, coins etc.

Appliance Tip #4: 

Using too much fabric softener can cause a build up over time that can actually affect your dryer’s performance. If using liquid fabric softener in the washer, use a very small amount, diluted. If your choice is a dryer sheet,  appliance manufacturers now recommend cutting the dryer sheet in half. Not only will your dryer be happier, you’ll save money, too.

Appliance Tip #5: 

Adding a product called “Finish Glass Magic” to your dishwasher may increase the cleaning performance.  Pour “Finish Glass Magic” into the bottom of the dishwasher tub.  Then, add your favorite detergent to the dispenser as you normally would.  There are several Finish products, but it must have the words “Glass Magic” on the box. Recently, phosphates have been removed from all dishwasher detergents and many people are calling us to report that their dishwasher is no longer getting dishes clean and/or leaving a white residue on dishes, particularly plastic items. You may need to soak the items in a vinegar solution to remove the residue.  Then, use the “Finish Glass Magic” with each wash.  Another product that is very useful with kitchen and laundry appliances is “20 Mule Team Borax”.  Simply pour 1/4 cup of “20 Mule Team Borax” in the bottom of the dishwasher tub for each load.  

MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR BUYING APPLIANCES

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5 Tips for Buying Appliances:

1. Set your budget:

Coins

What you thought this wouldn’t be first? Know your top dollar budget number for this purchase. That way if you can save on your purchase you may choose to spend a bit more on a model with more features, or bank the rest for another future purchase.

2. Know your Market

It may seem counter-intuitive to ‘keep up with the Joneses,’ but knowing your housing market is key. Even if you don’t plan to sell soon, it’s a good idea to keep in mind what homebuyers are looking for in your area. For instance, if you live in a modest suburban neighborhood adding a Viking range to the tune of $10,000 would be overkill. When possible consider stainless steel appliances (especially ones with a no-smudge finish) since they are popular and great for resale.

3. Do your homework:

It should go without saying, but do not go into the appliance store without a little research under your belt.

Key items to research are:

  • brand reliability
  • features/colors
  • warranties
  • prices
  • sales or upcoming promotion

Tip: Consumer Reports offers monthly signups and can be a great resource for detailed product info.

4. Take a test run:

Before you buy head to several stores and talk to the sale associates in the appliance department. Yes they are trying to make a sale (they typically work on commission after all), but they may share information you hadn’t considered like the case with our backwards laundry room setup. This will also give you the chance to get a ‘vibe’ for the salespeople in the store. In some cases that may determine where you spend your money (especially if the pricepoints are identical).

Tip: Leave the kids at home if you can. Bring a pad and paper, tape measure, and a camera or your smartphone to take photos, notes, and even measurements.

5. Go back to the drawing board:

Now that you have your choices narrowed down based on price range, features, your market, and other factors– go back to the drawing board. Take a final look at the options that are available to you, and double-check all your ‘homework’ before you go to make your purchase.

Now that you’re ready to purchase consider these tips to help you stretch your dollar even further.

5 Tips to Stretch your Appliance Dollar

Translucent CBA MasterCard Debit

1. Store credit cards: I know they seem like a bad idea, but for responsible credit users they can be a boon.  Many offer 10% off and other perks that make it worth using a store card.

2. Buy on credit: Again it may seem irresponsible, but using your credit card can afford you an extended warranty without having to pay for one. Call your credit card company for details on how the protect your purchases.

3. Warranties: Speaking of extended warranties, just don’t do it. For the most part extended warranties cover very little for the cost, and often aren’t worth the cost.

4. Know the return policy: If you have an issue with your purchase you want to be sure you can return it. If you buy a floor sample, or scratch and dent appliance be prepared that it’s likely a ‘final sale,’ meaning no returns.

5. Register: Finally, make sure you register your new purchases with the brand. Yes it’s a means of tracking what you buy, but it’s helpful if you ever have an issue down the road.

 

Read more at http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/2012/02/money-saving-tips-for-buying-appliances/

Appliance Safety Tips

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When installing electrical appliances, keep in mind that most standard home electrical circuits are on a 120-volt line. Conventional outlets have two places to plug in devices and are called duplex outlets. It’s also important to note the quality level of your appliance’s) because the labor cost for installing more expensive equipment will be higher than for less expensive appliance’s).

Appliance installation and safety tips:

Appliance Power Requirements

Check the power requirements of each appliance. To run major appliances and heavy electrical equipment, you need 220-volt current in the house. And unless your clothes dryer runs on gas, it will require a 220-volt outlet to operate, so it’s necessary to upgrade to 220 to handle these and other heavy equipment.

Appliance Installation

When having an appliance installed be sure it can be removed easily for service. Flexible hook-ups for dishwashers and gas ranges can make repair jobs less labor intensive. Also, leave extra electric cable when installing electric wall ovens and cooktops. This will minimize the time the technician spends on the job and reduce the cost to you.
Some other appliance installation tips to keep in mind:

  • Dishwashers
    If your kitchen floor is being tiled, make sure that it is tiled beneath the dishwasher or at least raise its flooring to the same height as the tiles. Once down, there may not be enough clearance to remove the dishwasher for servicing. The only alternative will be to lift the whole countertop off of the cupboards, a needless expense.
  • Wall Ovens
    If you are installing a wall oven below countertop level, be aware that small children could be exposed to a burn hazard. Wall ovens do not have to conform to the same temperature standards that regular ranges do. This is because they are designed to be installed above counter height.
  • Washing Machines
    When installing a washing machine, be sure water shut-offs can be reached easily. Also ensure the water hoses are long enough to remove the appliance when necessary. A floor drain may also be necessary should the water pump or motor fail.
    Washing machines are designed to be used on solid flooring, like concrete. If it is being installed on a wooden floor, extra joist bracing may be needed. The mounting of an additional plywood section can also strengthen an existing wooden floor. Severe internal suspension damage can occur if used on unstable flooring.
  • Refrigerators
    Refrigerators with forced air condensers are the only kind that can be built in. Models with regular static condensers will not be able to dissipate the heat if used in this application. This will result in poor cooling efficiency and damage to the compressor. You can tell forced air models by the fan, located in the compressor compartment, used to circulate air through the condense.
    While major appliances make our lives much easier, they also pose significant risks if not maintained properly.
    The average homeowner has several thousand dollars invested in major appliances. To protect your investment and ensure many years of reliable service out of each it’s important to properly maintain your appliances.

Appliance Safety Tips

  • Extension Cords
    Extension cords pose several risks. First, the extension cord connections may not be secure. Besides causing power fluctuations that may damage the equipment, poor connections can also result in sparks that could start a fire.
    Another problem with the appliance connections is that they are vulnerable to water penetration. This is especially true in damp areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoors. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination responsible for many avoidable deaths each year.
    People often make the mistake of using extension cords that are too small. The wires on extension cords are rated according to size, with lower ratings corresponding to larger sizes. A simple household extension cord for a lamp might have 16-gauge wire. An outdoor cord may have 14-gauge wire. Heavy-duty cords are usually 12-gauge.
    In general, in those circumstances where use of an extension cord is unavoidable, employ one that is heavier than the wires already attached to the appliance.
    Also, whenever using power tools or similar equipment on long extension cords, be aware that the longer the cord the more power that is lost en route. This phenomenon, called voltage drop, is much less pronounced in heavier wires. Whenever you use an inadequate cord, you run the risk of damaging the appliance or causing the wires to overheat and become a fire hazard.
    When extension cords, appliance wires and outlets are incompatible, people often use adapters to make things fit. Most commonly, people have a three-prong plug and a two-prong outlet. The third prong is the ground, and it offers important safety advantages. A much better long-run solution is to have an electrician replace your 2-prong outlets with properly grounded three-prong outlets.
    Heavy-duty appliances have plug configurations that are unique. Never use an adapter to fit these into more standard outlets.
  • Circuit Breakers and Fuses
    Older homes have fuse boxes while most new ones have circuit breakers. Both perform the same function. Whenever a short circuit or overload situation occurs, the device shuts off electricity to that circuit, preventing both shocks and fire hazards.
    Whenever an appliance stops working, first test the outlet with a lamp or radio. If the circuit is dead, turn off anything you know to be on the same circuit and go to your electrical box, usually located in the basement. If you have a circuit breaker, look for the one switch that is slightly out of alignment. Turn it off and turn it back on again. If you have a fuse box, replace the burnt-out fuse.
    If you try the appliance again and the circuit cuts off a second time, you may be overloading that circuit. Try the appliance in another part of the house. If it keeps causing circuits to cut off, something is wrong with the appliance. It may, for instance, have a short.
  • Pilot Lights
    Many older gas appliances (ranges, dryers, water heaters, furnaces, etc.) have pilot lights that run continuously. Newer models have electronic ignition instead.
    When an older appliance stops working, check to see if the pilot light has gone out. If it has, re-light it according to the instructions in the manual, which came with the unit or are printed on the appliance itself. In many cases, this will save you the cost of a repair call.
    Because pilot lights maintain a flame at all times, they are always ready to ignite any flammable gases that might be present. This is why you should never store paints, solvents and other chemicals anywhere near an appliance with a pilot light.

Self-Cleaning Oven Causing More Harm Than It Should

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A self-cleaning oven uses temperatures as high as 900 degrees Fahrenheit to burn away any spilled food.

A self-cleaning oven sounds like a dream come true but is it more of a hassle than it is a convenience?

A self-cleaning ovens biggest plus is the convenience. You can relax and do other chores around the house while the oven cleans itself. Even though the oven reaches high temperatures, the thick insulation keeps the heat inside during the cleaning process, meaning the amount of energy used is reduced. Another advantage of a self-cleaning oven is you no longer need to buy expensive toxic oven cleaners. Using oven cleaners can leave a residue and when the oven is heated these fumes are released.

Of course, you also have your cons to a self-cleaning oven. Self-cleaning ovens can be very dangerous because the oven is left on an extended period and become hot to touch to children, pets, and adults. If you fail to remove heavy food debris before running the cycle, excessive smoke may fill your kitchen.

The self-cleaning oven also may cause mechanical failures. In new ovens you may find hidden heating elements underneath the oven floor and above the ceiling. These hidden heating elements makes it more difficult to vent heat and keep air circulating. With self-cleaning ovens getting as hot as they do it can lead to fuses popping and a burnt out control panel. Self-cleaning ovens have a special gasket that fits around the door of the oven.

After multiple uses of the self-cleaning feature, the gasket may break. When the gasket fails, it fills your kitchen with noxious fumes that are released from the oven cavity.

COOKTOPS HELP YOU CREATE BEAUTIFUL MEALS

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Without your cooktop, you couldn’t create your beautiful stocks and sauces that you use in so many recipes every week. One sauce alone can be the basis to several amazing meals. But when your cooktop is broken, you might have to settle for a less than stellar meal. Your family has comes to expect great meals from you and your cooktop. The good news is you don’t have to let them down another day.

Just call Absolute Appliance Repair during regular business hours and we will send one of our professional repair technicians to your house on the same day you call.

Our technicians receive ongoing training and are up-to-date on all of the latest industry trends and cooktop repairs that you may need. They also carry all of the most common replacement parts for all domestic brands of cooktops and even many foreign models, not to mention all of the specialty tools they could possibly need.

At Absolute Appliance Repair, our technicians use only factory replacement parts. Those parts come with a full warranty and we guarantee our work. This means you have no worries if, for any reason, something should go wrong. You are fully covered for parts and labor for the extent of the warranty. So don’t go another day without your cooktop. When you enjoy cooking, it is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen. Call Absolute Appliance Repair today and we will have you back to creating amazing dishes with your own homemade stocks and sauces again quicker than you can boil water.

Oven Repair

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Dining out as a treat or on special occasions to celebrate is a lot of fun. But going to a restaurant or picking up take out food every night just because your oven is broken gets old very quickly… not to mention expensive! When you need oven repair, you need it right away. Repairing your oven is much less expensive than buying a new one. You might be surprised how affordable it actually is.

If you live in San Francisco, or the surrounding areas, when you call Absolute Appliance Repair, we will quickly diagnose the problem with your oven and provide you with affordable repair options before we start any work. That way you have complete control of the repairs that will be completed, and you will know that we won’t break your budget for the month.

Our clean and friendly technicians will arrive at your house and get directly to work. They will diagnose the problem and let you know how they can help. Once you approve the work, they will make all of the necessary repairs. We also guarantee our work so you are fully covered if you should have any issues related to our repairs. At Absolute Appliance Repair we put our customers first. We work for you, to get your appliances, and your life, back to normal as quickly and economically as possible.

Possible Oven Problems:

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Possible Oven Problems:

  • Oven not reaching the correct cooking temperature.
  • Oven getting too hot and burning food.
  • Oven not turning on at all.
  • Oven lighting and/or power issues.
  • Broken oven heating element.
  • Damaged baking element.
  • Failing broiler element.
  • Oven thermostat issues.
  • Oven wiring problems.

Oven Tips

  • Cleaning the oven regularly and wiping up spills as they happen help your oven to work as efficiently as possible.
  • A solution of baking soda and vinegar cuts baked on grease and eliminate odor.

Absolute Appliance repair Gas Ovens, Stoves, Electric Ovens, Built-In Ovens, Combination Ovens, Convection Ovens, and Double Ovens.

Give us a call today at (415) 831-1259 to schedule an appointment for your oven repair!

Freezer Maintenance Pro Tips

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Is your freezer is running constantly or isn’t getting cold enough? We can help put your freezer back in shape for the San Francisco summer!

Freezer tips:

  • Using a baking soda/vinegar solution to clean your freezer will help eliminate any unwelcome smells.
  • Storing a box of baking soda in your freezer can be a smell magnet that removes foul odors.
  • Cleaning and inspecting freezer door seals regularly will help your freezer to maintain a proper temperature use electricity efficiently.

Give us a call at (415) 831-1259 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can also use our online form to start the scheduling process.

Energy Star’s 2015 Top 10 List of Energy Efficient Refrigerators

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“ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.”

Listed #7 on Energy Star’s list is one of two of the lowest priced refrigerators on the list. The Samsung RF26HFPNB is listed as using 578 kilowatts/hour a year of electricity. It is a 25.5 cubic foot refrigerator with a cost of $2,199. If you don’t have a need for a large refrigerator, it might be worth it to look at number #1 on their list.

Sitting at the top of their list is the a slim 11.4 cubic inch Bosch B10CB80NVW/01. Energy Star listed this energy efficient refrigerator as using only 314 kilowatts hour of energy a year. They list the MSRP at $2,499 but when we searched online we couldn’t find anything for this particular listed model of refrigerator. Google returned only 6 results, none of them (besides the #1 manufacturer’s website) was a place where you could order this energy efficient refrigerator today.

ENERGY STAR’s Most Energy Efficient Refrigerators of 2015

Click the link below to see the full list of the most Energy Star’s Most Energy Efficient Refrigerators of 2015.

Energy Star Most Efficient 2015 — Medium, Large, and X-Large Refrigerators

SMOOTHTOP ELECTRIC COOKTOP CARE

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Smoothtop Electric Cooktop Care – What Not to Do on a Ceramic or Glass Cooktop

While no one can argue that a smoothtop electric cooktop is more stylish than the traditional coil element type, it does need more care to prevent discoloring and scratching. Regular cleaning is also different than how you would clean an older style coil cooktop. And the homemaker needs to be proactive with cooktop cleaning and care to keep this style of cooktop looking good.

Here’s a list of things to avoid if you have a smoothtop electric cooktop range or built-in counter cooktop. While there’s no guarantee that these tips will totally protect your cooktop, they do help considerably. And cleaning the cooktop regularly will also help to preserve the smooth, clean look you fell in love with when you bought your range or cooktop.

  • Do not use cast iron cookware on a smoothtop cooktop or range. The bottoms of cast iron cookware are usually very rough and any movement of the pot on the cooktop, can leave scratching.
  • Other cookware that can cause scratching are ceramic and stoneware that may have unfinished, rough bases. Keep these instead for oven bakeware.
  • Skillets or pans with rounded edge bottoms are not recommended. Pans that sit flat on the cooktop will perform better when it comes to even heat distribution. They will also be more stable on the smoothtop. The same is true of rounded edge stovetop griddles.
  • Never use abrasive cleaners or pads which can scratch; use instead a soft sponge or cloth and cream cleaning solutions designed for ceramic or glass cooktops.
  • Avoid dragging heavy pots on the cooktop; rather lift and transfer to another area of the cooktop to reduce the risk of scratching.
  • Keep the bottoms of skillets and pots very clean. A build-up of grease on pan bottoms can leave aluminum-looking rings or cause marks on the cooktop. These sometimes can be removed with cooktop cleaner, but they are often very difficult to clean off.
  • When boiling or cooking with sugary substances, take care not to spill these on a smoothtop cooktop. A sugar substance can discolor the cooktop, leaving yellowish areas that are impossible to remove. This is more noticeable on white or light grey cooktops. Clean up such spills quickly.
  • Never stand on top of (to reach ceiling height) or place anything overly heavy on a smoothtop cooktop. The glass may appear to sustain the weight for the time being, until the cooktop is heated, at which time it could break or shatter when the glass expands.
  • Avoid placing stirring utensils on a warm cooktop while you cook. Food on these utensils can mark or burn on the cooktop, leaving a mess that needs more time to clean.
  • Do not place a hot glass bakeware (from the oven) to cool on a smoothtop cooktop. Glass bakeware must be placed on a dry towel on a counter to cool.

Though you may have to clean it more often and be careful of what you to do on a smoothtop electric cooktop, you will enjoy your new cooktop and the extra care is worth it.