1. Your refrigerator
As the new Maytag(R) advertising jokes, the refrigerator is a hard-working kitchen appliance. It removes heat to achieve a set temperature to keep your food fresh – with very little maintenance work by you.
If you're skipping refrigerator maintenance…
you're making your refrigerator work too hard – and wasting energy and cash.
Refrigerators use condenser coils (the large, black coils at the back or beneath the unit) to remove heat. Dirty condenser coils cause refrigerators to work overtime, which raises your payment and may lead to premature failure from the refrigerator. You should clean off the coils every few months. Fortunately, it is easy. Just use a long-handled bristle brush to carefully remove dust and dirt from the coils.
A worn or damaged refrigerator gasket (rubber seal round the door that keeps cool air inside and heated air out) also forces a refrigerator to work harder to remove heat. Make a habit of checking the gasket periodically for cracks and tears; change it as needed. Gasket replacement is simple and inexpensive.
2. Your dryer
Lint buildup prevents proper air flow, often leading to premature component failure and increased drying times, squandering your more money. Lint buildup + heat = instant fire. It leads to thousands of fires in the U.S. and Canada each year. Lint removal is critical to safety.
Three-step lint removal maintenance:
- Clean the lint filter (a.k.a. lint trap).
Lint must be removed from the lint filter after every load. Yes, every load. Also, monthly, clean the filter with warm water, detergent and a small bristle brush such as a toothbrush. Replace if there any tears. Also, once per season, use a long-handle brush or vacuum attachment to get rid of lint from the filter's chute. Yes, lint settles there, too.
- Clean the dryer interior.
Even with diligent filter cleaning, lint builds up inside of the dryer. Once or twice per year, disassemble your dryer. Look for a how-to-disassemble video for your model in our free Repair Help. Use a vacuum and attachment to get rid of the lint.
- Clear the dryer venting tube.
Your dryer's entire venting system ought to be cleaned out from the inside of the dryer facing outward vent cap at least once each year. It's usually a simple do-it-yourself job. Our bestselling 20-foot (six-meter) cleaning brush enables you to easily remove lint buildup from within the entire tube from the back from the dryer to the outside of your home. Also, periodically inspect the area around the dryer's vent cap outside. Remove restrictions such as snow or leaves and clear shrubbery to allow proper air flow.
3. Your space heater.
While space heaters may enable you to reduce your furnace's thermostat temperature by a few degrees, they may use more electricity than you'd expect. We've heard problem reports about tripled monthly energy bills after space heaters were put into drafty rooms. Remember that space heaters work best in walled rooms; a space heater might be ineffective in a room that's part of an open floor plan. There's a safety factor to consider with space heaters, too. Due to their compact size, they are vulnerable to tipping over. Some newer models have an automatic shut-off feature when tipped. As a result of fire risk, space heaters ought to be positioned at least three feet (approximately one meter) from curtains, rugs and furniture.
4. Your hot water heater.
Every water heater has an adjustable temperature setting. Most people keep water heaters at a higher setting than is necessary for their needs. This means they are wasting energy keeping water exceptionally hot for most of every day – while they are sleeping, at the office, etcetera. A setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) is generally sufficient and safe for many households. Set the water heater to the vacation setting if you plan to be away from your home for more than a few days.
5. Your dishwasher.
Run your dishwasher only if it's full but take care not to overload it so that you do not have to re-wash the dishes. Opt for air-drying, in lieu of the heated-dry feature. Skip the pre-rinsing of dishes (unless the dirty dishes happen to be left out overnight).
6. Your furnace.
Always have a clean air filter in place. A dirty air filter will cause your furnace's fan and motor to work harder, increasing energy usage. Also, by restricting ventilation, it will eventually lead to component failure and expensive repairs. Replace it at least every six months. Inspect its condition each month.
7. Your range.
A microwave oven uses less energy to heat food than it does in an oven or on a stove. Consider using your microwave oven for more than just popcorn and frozen dinners. Be sure to use your microwave oven's preset cooking times feature; this provides for greater energy efficiency and more precise cooking.
A plug-in energy usage meter can help monitor changes in energy consumption by appliances and assist you to determine if older appliances should be replaced.
Pay attention to your appliances, cooling and heating equipment and outdoor power equipment. Take note of changes in appliance and equipment performance such increased time needed to complete the work. Replacing worn or damaged parts goes a long way in extending the life of appliances.
