Appliances

TIPS:

• Before buying a new appliance.. get repair estimates.  

• Call the tech support number of the manufacturer website. Get a 2nd estimate from an independent chain such as uBreakiFix or Mr. Appliance | Expert Appliance Services

• or Product Repair Service - A&E Factory Service

• or a shop that your friends or family trust. 

• Also check Why it is so hard to get Consumer Products Repaired.

• Calculate repair vs replace costs. Choose repair if it cost less than half of a replacement

• Consider buying pre-owned or refurbished... better if the company offers warranties

• Ask for a discount, rebates, free shipping, free installation, waiver of removal etc.. Mention better deals elsewhere, or buy a display model.

• Check independent retailers for better deals

• Use browser extensions like CNET shopping or Honey that will track prices for different stores online

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At www.Michaelbluejay.com/electricity will show you were every kilowatt goes and how to save on electricity.

If your microwave or TV is acting up and you cannot find the instruction manual try downloading it at www.appliance411.com/service/ownersmanual

Stop by www.partstore.com (806-925-PART) which has millions of parts for practically every appliance.

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QUOTES:

Is All That Dryer Lint Costing You?:  I found that it was taking longer and longer to dry a load of clothes. With an electric clothes dryer, the cost was quickly adding up. I checked both fuses and found they were both working. I then checked the dryer vent and found that the end that came out of the house was almost completely plugged with lint. I simply cleaned the vent and cut my drying time in half! My brother had a problem with his dryer burning out on average every three years. He has a very long vent and didn't realize it was almost completely clogged with lint. He used a drain "snake" to clean out his vent. We were both shocked to find that he had two huge trash bags full of lint in his vent line. Kim H.

My Two Cents: More Washing Machine Hints:  I think Lorraine in NH had some good tips about using washers effectively, but my experience with an impeller machine differs greatly from hers. My machine is almost nine years old. It gets out stains with a minimum of detergent and water. Today I washed a shirt with coffee stains, which came out easily with pretreatment. I think an impeller machine is a good compromise between a front-loader and an agitator. Like Lorraine, I am concerned that I won't be able to bend down for a front loader much longer. The impeller is gentler on clothing than an agitator machine. Here are a few hints that work for me:

• Use the minimum amount of detergent needed. I use only 1-2 tablespoonfuls of HE detergent for a full load. I never have a sudsing problem. Too much detergent means that some remains in your clothing. I use a top-rated detergent rather than a cheap one. In the long run, I think they cost about the same since I can use so much less and still have clean clothes. My water is moderately hard, so I add a small amount of borax dissolved in water (see the box) to the detergent tray. I don't use bleach because I seldom need it. I soak most loads for about 10 minutes.

• I buy most appliances based on recommendations from Consumer Reports, a non-profit that I've consulted for decades. Their "best buy" is usually right for me. They say not to buy the extended warranty, so I never do. I've never had a service call. My previous machine lasted 23 years and still worked when I replaced it.

• One dryer recommendation: if you have items that didn't quite get dry, save them until after the last load, then put the dryer on air dry for a few minutes. The residual heat in the dryer will usually dry these items, even heavy towels.

Barbara, SC

Easy, DIY Dryer Lint Buildup Removal: My dryer has been taking longer than usual to dry things and excess lint is a major cause of home fires, so it was time to remove lint buildup. It's easy; almost anyone can do it. You'll need work gloves, a bag or bin to collect the lint, a flat screwdriver, and maybe, duct or Duck tape and a scissor. I prefer the former.

1. Unplug and move your dryer so you can reach the flexible connector hose.

2. Use the screwdriver to loosen the screw in the clamps and carefully disconnect the hose from the wall and the dryer.

3. Take it outside and shake out whatever lint you can.

4. Use a flexible object like a plumber's snake to loosen lint stuck inside the hose.

5. Also, carefully reach inside the wall and dryer sleeves and remove any loose lint. If your vent run is short, you can probably clean this yourself with a snake or long vacuum tool. Mine is over 20 feet long, so I will hire a professional.)

6. When you are done, take a moment to vacuum and wash the floor (and baseboards, if applicable).

7. Reconnect the flexible hose to the wall and then to the dryer, using tape if necessary to seal the connection, then tighten the clamps.

8. the dryer back in place and plug it in.

9. Voila! You did it! CAUTION: Flexible aluminum hoses have sharp edges, hence the need for gloves. P.S. I am almost 77 years old. If I can do this in an hour or less, so can you.

Barbara in SC