As the temperature rises to the upper 80s over the next few days, you might want to take extra care with your appliances. There are a few things to keep in mind for an energy-efficient and carefree summer:
1. The Heat Can Strain Your Refrigerator and Freezer
Obviously, your fridge will be the focus of appliance safety in the dog days of summer because heat and humidity can make your fridge work harder than normal. There are several things you can do to help your food stay cool and safe.
Keep your fridge full whenever possible; consider putting bottles of water inside to fill it up. A stocked refrigerator has less room for warm air, so it’s easier for the unit to maintain a cool temperature when it is opened more often than usual.
Check the unit’s temperature settings. Your refrigerator’s temperature should be 35° to 40° F, and the freezer should be between 0 and 5° F.
Keep the coils clean to keep your fridge running smoothly and efficiently (https://www.allcitymilwaukee.com/post/clean-those-coils-here-s-how). Be sure to unplug the unit before cleaning.
Test door seals by closing the door over a piece of paper. If the paper pulls out easily, the seal might need replacing. Leaky doors let the cool air escape, making the refrigerator use more energy to keep food cold.
Lastly, if your refrigerator or freezer is showing any of the following signs, you should call All City Appliance for service as soon as possible, before your unit is damaged further or you start losing food:
· Leaking of any fluids outside the fridge
· Excess condensation inside the fridge
· Fan running constantly
· Fridge or freezer not maintaining temps and/or making more noise than usual
· Unusual odors coming from the unit
· The unit is tripping a breaker
If, for any reason, your fridge quits for more than a few hours, get rid of the food. You don’t want to risk food poisoning because the unit stopped and started again!
2. The Heat Can Lead to Washer and Dryer Overuse
During summer, you might be doing more laundry than usual. When you’re heading to the beach, working in the yard, or going for a hike, you’re adding multiple changes of clothes, swimsuits, and towels to your laundry basket. If there are any existing issues with your washer or dryer, they will only get worse during the heat of summer!
Wash your laundry in cold water whenever possible, and hang your washing to dry outside. And, though it might seem obvious, don’t wash clothes unless they’re actually dirty.
3. The Heat Can Tempt Critters to Pay a Visit
Finally, be sure you have a screen or trap over your outside dryer vent to prevent mice, chipmunks, and insects from getting into your nice, cool basement. While you’re at it, be sure the vent is clean from outside your house to the inside of your dryer. It will help your dryer run more efficiently and help prevent a dryer fire! Call All City Appliance if you need a dryer vent cleaning, or do it yourself (https://www.allcitymilwaukee.com/post/how-do-i-clean-my-dryer-vent-correctly).
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