It’s a tale as old as time. Either your refrigerator or oven breaks down Erev Yom Tov or your air conditioner stops working Erev Shabbat on the first sweltering day of the season. Chesky Lowinger of On Time Appliance and HVAC Service has seen it all. But thankfully, the EPA-certified, fully insured technician also repairs it all, from AC and split units to washers and dryers, ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators. Serving both residential and commercial clients, the all-service appliance company also does AC appliance installations, as well as AC swap-outs. In fact, when you call him, his outgoing message asks you to leave the name and model number of the appliance in need of repair.
But there are few maintenance suggestions that Lowinger gives to help extend the life of your appliances and keep them running at their best.
With winter upon us, those who live in a home with a furnace should make sure to have it cleaned before the winter sets in. The flue, or the chimney, should be clear of snow and debris to ensure your heating system operates safely and properly.
Just before the days start to warm up and summer is just around the corner, it’s recommended to wash down your condenser and change your filters. The coils have a tendency to collect dirt, which not only reduces airflow, causing the unit to run inefficiently, but could also cause the compressor to burn out, which is the last thing you want on Friday afternoon at the end of June. And don’t forget to change the filters on your AC units. Ideally, filters should be changed every three months; be sure to write down what sizes and how many filters you’ll need.
If you happen to notice your clothes aren’t drying as well as they used to, then take a walk around the outside of your house to find the dryer vent. Check the cap, and if you happen to notice a lot of lint, then that’s likely the cause and you should call a professional, like On Time Appliance, to come clean it out.
When it comes to washing machines, cleaning the filter regularly can do wonders for your laundry and extend the life of the appliance.
Cleaning the condenser coils on your refrigerator is a top priority, and should be done at least once a year. When those coils get dirty, they cause refrigerators to cool inefficiently and make your energy bills higher. There are plenty of videos and online resources that can show you how, but it’s always best to call a professional if you have any doubts.
Lowinger also recommends turning off your refrigerator when cleaning it. Keeping the refrigerator open for long periods of time can waste a lot of electricity, can cause the evaporator coil to freeze up, and stop cooling properly. Plus, it’s much safer to dust and vacuum the crevices around the fridge when it’s unplugged.
Lowinger also cautions people to never pour water on their cooktops. Doing so can cause the glass cooktops to shatter from thermal shock and can cause metal to warp. It can also cause the system to short and start ticking for an extended period of time.
The filters on dishwashers should also be cleaned a few times a year. If you’re not sure where the filter is located, check the manufacturer instructions. Then, once a month, be sure to use a dishwasher cleaner, like Glisten or Dishwasher Magic, and then run an empty dishwasher on a normal cycle. Doing this will not only help clean your dishes better but it will also keep your dishwasher running longer. Just make sure to put the filters back properly.
When it comes to detergent, Lowinger says less is more, especially for high-efficiency models. He explains that it’s the companies that produce detergent that want consumers to use more, because the more you use, the more you buy. “All you need is no more than two tablespoons, and that’s coming from the manufacturer themselves,” he said.
If you have an appliance issue Call On Time Appliance. Lowinger will be happy to answer your questions and schedule a service call if necessary.
Now serving West Orange, Livingston, Clifton and Passaic, call, text or WhatsApp 845-418-3838. You can also email [email protected].
