What You Need to Know About Appliances in the Summer
The hot months of summer can take their toll on certain household appliances. By understanding certain vulnerabilities, it’s that much easier to protect your appliances from unnecessary and excessive wear and tear. Here are some essential tips to help you and your appliances make it through summer.
Air conditioners
These are a necessity during the summer months and they work extremely hard to keep our homes cool and comfortable. There are some days when you might not need your AC as much as those days of extreme heat, which is why it’s important to monitor the temperature settings and adjust them accordingly. Another good tip to remember is that you don’t need to turn your entire home into a refrigerator. In other words, your home should be comfortable but not too cold. Not only will this help you save energy, but it will also make things easier for your AC unit. Less wear and tear is always a bonus. In addition, if you enter your home on a hot day and your home is very cold, it can have some undesirable effects on your body. Similarly, if you leave your very cold home and are suddenly confronted by the hot summer air, it can make you feel quite ill.
Apart from regulating the temperature correctly, you also need to perform regular maintenance on your AC. The filters will need to be cleaned and changed at various intervals. Make sure that you stick to this schedule in order to ensure maximum energy efficiency. Routine maintenance and cleaning prevent a breakdown in the middle of summer – which is something we all want to avoid.
Fridge and freezer
As your air conditioner, refrigerators and freezers work hard to maintain a certain cool temperature. This becomes increasingly challenging during the summer months. If you set your fridge to 35 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit, you can rest assured that your food will remain fresh without putting too much stress on the various working parts.
Another good tip to remember is to ensure proper air circulation and ventilation. Your fridge and freezer do not only release heat through the condenser coils located at the back of the appliance. They also often have vents that are located at the top. Do not place anything on top of your fridge or freezer if these vents are present. It will prevent the appliance from releasing hot air and it will make it less efficient. You should also make sure that your fridge and freezer are not pressed up against the wall. There should be some space for air to flow around the condenser coils. These coils also need to be cleaned at least every six months. So, when doing your annual spring clean, be sure to add this to your list.
Check the seals on the doors of your fridge and freezer too. You can do this by using a dollar bill. Shut the bill in the door and then try to remove it without opening the door. If it comes out, the seal is not as strong as it should be and may need replacing. Old, damaged and worn seals result in the loss of cold air which means that your fridge will work harder to keep your food cool.
Dryer care
Laundry is one chore that we cannot escape no matter the season. Having your dryer help warm your home is a lovely idea in winter but, during summer, it’s not ideal. Remember, it’s already warmer in your home which means that your dryer will also experience the effects of the heat. Fortunately, you can help limit these effects by simply adjusting the temperature on your dryer. Instead of running it quite as hot, you can set it a bit cooler. You might need to run a slightly longer cycle but it will be worth it in the end.
Another good tip to remember is to clean the lint trap every time you use your dryer and don’t forget to check the vent too! If debris builds up here, you run the risk of a fire.
Some people choose to only use their dryers during the winter months. In the summer, air drying is often the top choice and a great way of saving money. That said, if you are planning on giving your dryer a break, you should always test it again before winter arrives. That way, if any repairs are needed, you are not caught off guard.
Cooking options
Your oven is an essential appliance but, for some reason, during the summer people tend to prefer not to use it. This is largely due to the fact that your oven will need to preheat and then you will need to cook the meal for an hour or more. This causes the temperature in your home to rise and appliances like your AC and fridge to work harder. If you are looking for an alternative, there are some handy tips. Firstly, you can try cooking outdoors as much as possible. Use your kitchen for all your food prep work (like chopping) and cook your meat and even veggies out on the grill. It gives you the chance to enjoy the outdoors and you can avoid warming up your home.
If you need your stovetop, you can certainly do this. Just make sure that you invest in an extractor fan. Not only will it remove all that steam and the smell of cooking, but they also help remove excess heat created during the cooking process. Finally, if you have the time to cook early in the morning before it gets too warm, this is the best time to do so! This will help prevent your home from becoming overwhelmingly hot.
Keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer is half the battle won. However, it’s important to ensure that you set a regular maintenance routine for your appliances in order to ensure that they operate effectively and efficiently every time. For expert household appliance repairs, contact Target Appliance Repair at (613) 518-1532
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