Published on
January 28, 2010 in
Appliances, Home Improvement, Repair Help Area, Repair Help-Advice and Repair and Maintenance Tips.
Tags: appliance help, appliance parts, appliance repair, Appliances, inlet valve, repair, Washer, washing machine.
There’s another great repair article over at acmehowto.com about replacing the inlet valve on your washing machine.
Of course, never attempt such a repair yourself without following all safety precautions, like unplugging the washer.
First it discusses what exactly an inlet valve is, and what can happen if the valve is blocked or if its solenoid isn’t functioning.
It discusses how to identify it, where on the washing machine to find it, and how to disconnect it. It gives advice on the hoses, the terminals, and the wiring. Once the valve is off, it tells you how to connect the new one and make sure it’s working properly.
If you need to replace your washing machine’s inlet valve, read this article.
A new solar-powered air conditioner has been introduced by SPP (Solar Panels Plus). It is high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated (SEER) and is called the SplitCool DC18.
The air conditioner runs on a bank of batteries powered by solar panels and can be installed without adding ducts. It would handle each room as a separate zone. It also features a remote compressor, allowing for quiet operation.
Read more about it here.
..
Whirlpool has launched an online tool for consumers to learn more about what rebate programs are available to them under the “Cash for Appliances” program for their particular state.
Entering in a zip code and appliance type will provide consumers with their specific rebate amount. It will also provide rebate amounts from any local utility companies, if offered.
Read more about it here.
The Second Space Age is the new theme for Design Lab 2010, an initiative of Electrolux.
Undergraduate and graduate industrial design students are encouraged to find new ways to design appliances that take into account the decreased living space people have in these modern times.
As the population explodes over the next 40 years, we will need new ways of washing our clothes and storing our perishables. Enter Design Lab, which cultivates young minds and fresh ideas.
Read more about it at this article.
Perhaps you don’t actually have an appliance in need of repair, but you’d like to learn a little more about the general process, plus a few tips that you’re sure to remember when an appliance repair does come your way.
If this is the case, and you’re simply interested in a little basic education, then we have an article for you.
This article contains general–but ultimately useful–information on how to repair most major appliances. It offers a few tricks–and even the odd diagram–to help you past the most basic hurdles one may encounter when tinkering around with a fussy appliance. Before you call that service-person, don’t give up. Just read the article and see what you can do on your own.
After covering the basics, the article provides great tips on disassembling appliances. Next, it discusses how to repair power cords. Then it teaches you how to replace the most common parts you’ll find on your appliances (everything from gaskets to motors and everything in between). Finally, it provides more resources to find exactly the information you may need.
Happy reading!
I found an article that shows just how easy it is to keep your microwave clean. Despite how often most people use their microwave, it’s often neglected when it comes to maintenance.
First clean it with club soda and a wet towel. Then, dry it with a paper towel. You can nuke away food odors by microwaving a mixture of lemons and water in a bowl. Finally, the article suggests to cover any food you microwave with a coffee filter. I personally use a paper towel, as I imagine most people do.
Anyway, read the specific steps at this site and keep that microwave clean!
According to a new Underwriters Laboratory (UL) survey, the majority of consumers shopping for appliances consider a product’s energy efficiency, but do not consider the product’s safety rating.
UL wants to change this, and has launched a brand new website to inform consumers on a) the state-run rebate programs, and b) the safety rating for the various brands and models of home appliances.
We highly suggest you consider both energy efficiency and safety in your home appliance purchases. Please take the time to read more on this issue. This article will provide you the link to UL’s website so that you can make an informed appliance-purchasing decision.
Sure, dryer vents aren’t very large. Neither are newly-born raccoons.
If you’ve found that raccoons have made a nest in your dryer vent, don’t panic. It happens.
We’re all about doing household projects yourself, but raccoon removal is best left to the professionals. You do not want to wrestle a rabid raccoon. So, the first step is to call your local animal control.
After the critters have been cleared out, you’ll want to thoroughly clean the dryer vent. Most of the time, the nesting materials collected in the vent are going to be highly flammable. Plus, it’d be a good time to clean the vent out of any lint buildup anyway, as that could also start a devastating fire.
A good preventative step is to install a mesh vent guard made of either steel or even copper. Plastic or aluminum guards are easily destroyed by even small animals like squirrels and chipmunks.
Good luck!
I always get irritated when the dishwasher isn’t working effectively. I am not a fan of washing dishes, so I rely on the dishwasher to do the work for me. However, like all machines, the dishwasher only remains useful if I keep it maintained. Here are some suggestions:
1) Take a look at the door frame. Check the gasket to make sure it seals all the water in. Seal any gaps or replace the gasket. Then clean all around the door frame. Food and water calcification might build up here.
2) Check the water sprayer and catch drain. If the catch drain is removable, pull it out. Clear out all food, slime, or any other buildup.
3) Run a cleaning cycle using detergent and vinegar. This will help keep the dishwasher clean longer.
4) Check to make sure the machine is level to prevent leaks.
Refrigerator maintenance is a key element to keeping your energy bills low.
I found a great article featuring basic tips to clean and care for your fridge and freezer. The step-by-step instructions will guide you to clean your condenser coils, the drain hole, the drip pan, and the gaskets. Next, change the water filter (if your fridge has an ice maker or a water dispenser). Finally, make sure the fridge is level with the floor to ensure the doors are sealing properly when shut.
A mere 30 minutes of care for your refrigerator will keep it running strong!
