Tips & Advice

If your dishwasher does not wash properly, please clean your filter and spray arms. Most new dishwashers have very small holes in the spray arms and you need to make sure they are not clogged. Make sure that the spray arms are free to spin. You can test it by waiting until the dishwasher is in the washing cycle. Point the spray arms directly towards you and close the door. Open it after a few minutes and you will notice if the spray arms have moved or not.
A common problem with dishwashers is that the flood switch is activated caused by internal leaking. Sometimes it may leak because of using the wrong or too much soap. If you use tablets, many of them already contain rinse aid.
Don’t add rinse aid, as it can cause too many suds, which can result in internal leaking and may stop the dishwasher filling and this will activate drain pump.

Some problems with washing machines, mostly with front loaders, can be caused by using the wrong soap. Front loader and top loader soap is different and using the wrong soap, or using too much of it, can cause the washing machine to leak or to stop.
Do not use too much rinse aid, especially when you wash on cold. It will build up in the inner drum and leave brown residue on your clothes. If the washing machine does not fill water, please check the taps are open. If does not drain, try clearing the filter.

Please, try not to overload the dryer. In the long term it may cause the dryer bearings to collapse.
Clean the filter every time you use it and make sure that the grill in the back of the dryer is also clean. If the dryer stops, it might be because it is overheated. You need to wait for it to cool down and with some models you might have to reset.
Do not add wet items to a near-dry load.
Don’t over dry clothes. Removing clothes from the dryer before they begin to wrinkle can eliminate ironing and save energy.

Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer’s recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120° F).
Scrape, don’t rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or pre-washing is recommended in cases of burned or dried on food.
Be sure your dishwasher is full (not overloaded) when you run it.
Avoid using the “rinse hold” on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot water each use.
Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and open the door slightly, so the dishes will dry faster. Still having problems? Please, contact us.

Cook with the right size pot on the right size burner. Energy is lost up the sides of a small pot on a large burner and adds necessary heat to the kitchen.
Open the oven door as little as possible. Your oven loses 25° F to 50° F each time you open the door, making it work harder to maintain its temperature.
If you cook with electricity, turn the stove top burners and oven off several minutes before the allotted cooking time.
Preheat ovens only when necessary. Unless you are baking breads or pastries, you may not need to preheat the oven at all.

Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 35°-38° F for the fresh food compartment and 0°F for separate freezers for long-term storage.
Check the refrigerator temperature by placing an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. Check the freezer temperature by placing a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you may consider buying a new appliance unit.
Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Regularly defrost manual-defrost freezers and refrigerators; frost build-up decreases the energy efficiency of the appliance unit. Don’t allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.

Look for a natural gas oven or range with an automatic, electric ignition system which saves gas since a pilot light is not burning continuously.
Look for blue flames in natural gas appliances; yellow flames indicate the gas is burning inefficiently and an adjustment may be needed. If you see yellow flames, consult your local utility.
Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.
Use a covered kettle or a pan or electric kettle to boil water; it’s faster and uses less energy.
Match the size of the pan to the heating element.

If the repair is costly, it may be the right time to get a new appliance, especially if the existing appliance is at least 8 to 9 years old.

The National Association of Home Builders provides the following estimates for the longevity of common household appliances:

Wait! You’re not going to hire a service company without checking Vancity Appliance Service first, are you? Ask us!