Spring is officially in bloom here in New Jersey, which means that although the temperatures are still fluctuating—and we may be in for some more chilliness over the next few weeks—it’s time to prep your air conditioning unit for the impending warmer weather. The best time to get your central A/C inspected is BEFORE the…
Appliance 411
5 Important Tips to Maintain Your Dryer Vent
Faulty or unsafe dryer vents are in the top 10 causes of annual home-based fires. By following these simple, affordable tips, you can avoid clothes dryer danger and a potential fire hazard. And remember, if you’re dryer isn’t operating properly, has a strange smell, is overheating, or is making a strange noise, don’t hesitate to…
Why You Shouldn’t Self Diagnose Appliance Issues
When you get sick, you go see a doctor. When your car breaks down, you take it to a mechanic. When your appliance malfunctions, it’s important to exercise the same sense of reasoning and have a professional diagnose your problem. Why? Let’s break it down, below: 1. Tutorials can be misleading If your first instinct…
Do You Know What a Warming Drawer Is?
Isn’t it great that you can store those extra pans and pots under your oven? You know, in that pull-out drawer? Well, surprise! That drawer is technically not for storage—though you can use it that way. In fact, though most people may not realize it, the compartment built into the bottom of most ovens is…
Don’t Get Scammed! How to Tell If an Appliance Repairman Is Legit
Whether it’s accepting a check made out in the technician’s name (and not the company’s), or trying to use a generic part of a brand appliance instead of a a factory part, there are many ways consumers may get scammed or tricked by people purporting to be qualified appliance technicians. With the Internet, it’s easier…
What Does Your Oven’s Self Cleaning Function Do and Why Shouldn’t You Use It?
To self clean or not to self clean? That is the question. The answer? …No! Your oven’s self cleaning feature is a built in tool which allows the machine to heat lingering food particles and grime in the oven, turning them to ash and basically burning them off the interior of the unit. Sound useful?…
How to Clean Your Clothing Dryer Within 5 Minutes
Your dryer does a lot to make your life simpler—so why not return the favor with a little much-needed TLC? Dirt buildup in your dryer can affect its efficiency, as well as get onto your clothing. Ew! But did you know it only takes about 5 minutes to give your drying machine a proper clean?…
10 Reasons Your Oven May Be Failing
Many ovens have a traditional style thermostat which helps to control the internal temperature of the oven. But if that oven is overheating on the outside and your food is becoming burnt, this could potentially be the work of a faulty thermostat! But like all appliances, ovens are comprised of countless parts — many of…
On The Brink: 3 Signs Your Washing Machine Is On Its Last Leg
Did you know that the average American family runs nearly 300 loads of laundry each year? That’s a lot of laundry! Of course, your trusty washing machine isn’t meant to last forever… though it should give you a few decades of good work. Somewhere in there your machine is bound to start acting up—but by…
Know How to Check Your Home Appliances for Manufacturer Recalls
Knowing if an appliance in your home has been subject to a manufacturer recall can make all the difference between safety and catastrophe in your home. While it may seem intimidating, trying to figure out if any of your appliances have been recalled, it’s actually much simpler than you may think. And it’s super important.…