By Dud Eddy
Every appliance comes with a predefined expiration date. It is just a fact that they don’t last a lifetime. In these difficult financial times with the cost of products and services increasing, not everyone can afford to buy new appliances. The good news is that if you have an old appliance there are steps you can take to extend its life while helping to protect the environment. Below is a list of tips to extend the life of old appliances.
- Clean Your Oven and Range
Every three months, give your oven and range a good cleaning. Self cleaning ovens are very helpful, but for deep cleaning, you should do it manually, particularly if there is a lot of grease and food particle accumulation. You can use an oven cleaner spray that sits overnight before cleaning or make your own solution of baking soda, vinegar and water. Wear a mask and use gloves and a sponge. You’ll want to get those spots with gloves, a sponge, and a cleaning solution.
- Keep Your Refrigerator and Freezer Clean
Extending the life of your freezer and fridge ensures a longer lasting appliance. Every 2 to 3 months, wipe down the exterior of the fridge to keep dust and dirt build up, particularly on the back. The condenser coils usually sit on the top or bottom of the fridge, and can become dirty which prevents the fridge from cooling off. Use a damp cloth with soap to clean the coils. As well, remove fridge food and items so you can give it a thorough cleaning. Before applying a cleaning solution, remove the shelves and bottom drawers. Wipe down and rinse with water. Allow for drying before placing food and items back in the refrigerator.
Defrost Your Freezer: If you have an older model freezer, defrost it at least once a year before the frost develops. Use a plastic or wooden scraper to remove the frost which prevents scratches.
- Replace Filters
Follow manufacturer guidelines to clean and replace appliance filters. This includes your HVAC, furnace, a charcoal filter in an oven, and a filter in some dishwashers. Dirty filters can clog your appliances. The result is an appliance that works harder and shortens its life.
Oven Range Hood Filter: Located above the oven range, the oven range hood filter can gather a lot of dirt. To clean, remove the filter and place in a soapy solution for about 10 minutes and then clean with a sponge. Cleaning should be done every 3 months.
Air Conditioner Filter: Change your filter about once a month. Remove the filter from the unit out of the unit, vacuum it to remove dust and dirt. Then wash it with warm soapy water.
Furnace Filter: If the furnace uses disposable filters, just replace it with a new one. For furnaces with reusable filters, every few months wash them with warm soapy water. You should also have the furnace and duct-work cleaned by a professional each year.
- Clean Clothes Dryer Lint Screen
Your dryer will work harder and can potentially cause a fire if you do not clean the lint screen. To prevent clogs, hire a professional each year to clean the dryer’s exhaust system.
- Buy a Home Warranty Plan
For old appliances, it is very beneficial to have home warranty protection. If a covered system or appliance fails, the repairs are covered as a part of the plan. When unexpected breakdowns take place due to normal wear and tear, homeowners greatly benefit from a home warranty plan. They are worth it if there is no existing coverage for your appliances and home systems and if you find a plan that includes the items you want covered.
Extending the life of old appliances saves you money and helps keep old appliances out of landfills. The best home warranty plan is one that meets your needs. ARWHome provides home warranty plans not only for major home appliances and systems, but also an Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan for new and existing home and computing entertainment products. With ARWHome protection plans, homeowners experience prompt and professional customer service, immediate service for emergencies issues, and efficient response to a request for service within 24-48 hours. This may be the perfect time to purchase a home warranty plan for your old appliances.
