Your washer and dryer not only make it possible for you to keep your family's clothes clean but also save you money over time. However, if you take your appliances for granted, they can quit when you need them the most. What you do and don't do to your washer and dryer can keep them functional for years to come.
Here are some things you might do to your washer and dryer that damage or shorten their lifespans and how you can prevent them.
You Overstuff Your Washer and Dryer
If you tend to stuff your washer and dryer beyond their recommended loads to save time and water, stop. Even large machines can break down from stress if you overload them on a constant basis. The wear and tear occurs in the appliances' motor and other electric mechanisms.
Your washer relies on a motor to clean your clothing, curtains, and other fabrics. The motor creates a substantial amount of energy to turn the machine's agitator, which spins and moves back and forth to clean your items. But if you stuff your washer with heavy blankets, towels, and similar items, the agitator can struggle to move freely.
A struggling agitator can overheat the motor and the tiny bearings and couplings that support it. Once the motor overheats, it burns out or quits. You'll eventually need to replace the motor.
Your dryer can experience similar problems as your washer if you place too many items inside it. Dryers generate a significant amount of heat to remove moisture from your items. Bath towels, comforters, and other heavy items take longer to dry. The more heavy items you place inside the dryer, the more stress it undergoes.
You can avoid damaging your washer and dryer by following the recommended load capacities on their labeling. You can also wash a few items at a time. For instance, if you must wash and dry items with thick or heavy fabrics, only place a couple of items in the machines at a time.
If possible, hang heavy or saturated items outdoors before placing them inside your dryer. The heat from the sun can remove or absorb most of the moisture in these items. The less time your heavy items remain in the dryer, the less wear and tear it experiences.
Another thing you might do to damage your washer and dryer is forget to clean them.
You Forget to Clean Out Your Appliances
As with your oven, range, and refrigerator, your washer and dryer can build up with debris over time. Unless you clean your appliances after every use, they can eventually clog up with debris and break down.
Your washer, in particular, relies on a pumping system to drain and return water to it. The system consists of a pump, hoses, and clutch. The clutch connects directly to the motor, which allows it to control the actions of the pump. If the clutch stops moving, the pump can't drain or recirculate water from the machine.
Your dryer is also vulnerable to problems if you don't empty the lint compartment regularly. Lint can keep the appliance from reaching the correct temperature, which causes your clothes to stay damp or take longer to dry. These issues can gradually increase your electrical expenses.
Lint can also cause problems with your dryer's vent and exhaust systems. If lint keeps heat from escaping the system, it can back up into the dryer. Your dryer may become too hot over time, which is a catalyst for fires and other hazards.
To prevent problems with your washer and dryer, have them checked.
You Neglect Professional Inspections
Although they might seem costly, or even unnecessary, professional inspections are important to keep your washer and dryer running properly. Even if your appliances are almost new, they can experience the issues above without notice. A service contractor can find issues before they get out of hand.
An appliance company can inspect your washer's motor, agitator, and drainage system for clogs and deterioration. The inspection may require a contractor to take your machine through several cycles, including the rinsing cycle. If your washing machine makes loud sounds, vibrates, or doesn't drain water properly, a contractor can fix it.
A contractor will also check your dryer's vent and exhaust systems for debris. The systems must have the ability to transfer heat and odor out of the dryer and home. If needed, a contractor will clean out the systems or replace them.
After services, keep your washer and dryer properly maintained by cleaning out their lint compartments. You can clean the appliances after every use or as recommended by an appliance service contractor. Report any changes in your appliances to a contractor right away.
If you're ready to extend the lives of your appliances, contact us at the Dick Kearsley Service Center today. We're here to make life easier and safer for you.
When the weather outside is frightful, rodents and other small animals may find the confines of your heating and cooling system delightful. Unfortunately, these unwanted visitors are far from good guests, especially when you consider the sheer amount of damage they can leave behind. It could take hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair or replace an HVAC system damaged by pests.
The following takes an in-depth look at the type of damage an animal infestation can do to your HVAC system. You'll also learn what steps you can take to prevent that damage from happening in the first place.
Nesting animals may infiltrate your HVAC system's ductwork in search of shelter. Once inside, these unwanted pests can cause tremendous damage to your ducts. Animals can chew through flex ducts and fiberboard ductwork, leaving behind large holes and heavy debris while creating air leaks that rob your HVAC system of its performance and efficiency.
In addition, pests may bend, break, or otherwise damage sheet metal ductwork. More problems can result if the pest expires while it's still inside ductwork. Not only does the smell of a decomposing animal permeate throughout your HVAC system, but parasites, fleas, and various bacteria can also spread throughout the duct system.
As a preventative measure, you should have your HVAC professional carefully inspect your ductwork for any possible damage that could allow small animals to get through. They can repair and seal all cracks, gaps, and disconnects to prevent further damage.
In addition to damaging your HVAC system's ductwork, rodents and other small animals can also leave behind urine and droppings. Animal urine is highly corrosive, so not only do you end up with bad odors throughout your ductwork, but your metallic ducts are also at risk of rusting or corroding prematurely.
In addition, urine and fecal matter can negatively impact other parts of your HVAC system, including the evaporator and condenser coils.
If you have to coax a critter out of your HVAC system, you should have a contractor inspect and thoroughly clean the system to prevent urine and droppings from corroding your unit from the inside out. You should also invest in an air purifier to remove any leftover odors and restore your home's indoor air quality.
Rodents and other small animals also have a tendency to chew through anything that gets in their way, including your HVAC system's wiring. If a small rodent encounters a bundle of wiring inside of your HVAC system's condenser cabinet, for example, it'll likely chew through the wiring and even strip away the plastic insulation as use for nesting material.
There's a good chance you won't realize what's happening until your HVAC system starts functioning erratically or ceases to function at all. Stripped wiring also poses a number of dangerous hazards. Without its protective insulation, a live wire could potentially arc against a metal component or another exposed wire, generating an arc or a short that damages your HVAC equipment while creating a potential fire hazard.
It's important to have your HVAC technician inspect your HVAC equipment's electrical wiring when checking for pests. If you're having trouble controlling your HVAC system or you notice a metallic, burning odor from your HVAC unit, you should shut the unit off and contact your technician as soon as possible.
As unwanted pests make themselves at home in your HVAC system, they'll also search for nesting material. Unfortunately, the insulation located throughout your HVAC system makes the perfect nesting material for rodents and other small creatures. This insulation usually includes the foam insulation located around copper and aluminum refrigerant lines.
Without insulation, your refrigerant lines become more susceptible to freezing temperatures, resulting in potentially serious damage to your HVAC system. In addition, the insulation fragments can also spread throughout the HVAC system, leaving behind debris that could interfere with other components.
If you see chewed or otherwise damaged insulation, then chances are you’re dealing with an animal nesting inside of your HVAC system. After removing the animal, you should replace the foam insulation as soon as possible.
Birds, squirrels, and other small animals commonly make themselves at home inside of exhaust vents and air intakes, especially when your HVAC system hasn't been in use for some time. The problems come when you start to use your HVAC system again. For instance, combustion gases can quickly kill nesting animals, resulting in a dead and decaying obstacle blocking your exhaust vent.
Blockages can also pose a serious health and safety risk for your home. A blocked exhaust vent can easily result in a backdraft that allows combustion gases to flood back inside of your home, increasing your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, the installation of a vent cover can help prevent small animals from getting inside of your exhaust and intake vents.
Homeowners are often surprised at the sheer amount of damage a small animal can cause when seeking shelter. Contact the experts at Dick Kearsley Service Center if you need your HVAC system repaired in the aftermath of an animal infestation.
Winter is a time when you're likely to seal up your home against all manner of drafts and settle into its cozy confines for the rest of the season. Turning your home into a sealed sanctuary against the cold can save you plenty of money on your heating costs, but it could also cause the air in your home to go stale and become loaded with airborne pollutants of all types.
To make matters worse, heating the stagnant air in your home can make it even drier than before, which can lead to chapped lips, itchy skin, sore throats and sinus infections. Dry, stagnant air can even increase your vulnerability to colds and flu. If you want to have a healthy home this winter, it pays to follow these tips for healthier indoor air.
Take Care of Your Air Filter
Keeping your air filter in relatively good shape is essential for having healthy air in your home. That means replacing your air filter before it becomes completely clogged with captured debris. This way, you can avoid blockages that cause your furnace's overall performance to suffer due to a lack of good airflow.
Changing your air filter at least once every three months can help improve your home's indoor air quality and its overall performance. If you're an allergy sufferer, then changing your air filter on a monthly basis can alleviate some symptoms and make others occur less frequently.
If your furnace still has its fiberglass air filter, then upgrading to one that uses pleated paper instead of fiberglass may also help improve your home's indoor air quality. Pleated filtration is capable of trapping more airborne pollutants than ordinary fiberglass, which makes it more effective at capturing these and a host of other particles.
We also recommend the HEBA365 Air Cleaner filtration system. It fits right in your existing HVAC system and lasts a year in most cases.
Clean Up the Rest of Your Furnace
Your air filter isn't the only place where dust and debris can find itself trapped. It can also accumulate around the general vicinity of your furnace — especially during the summer when it's not being used. It's not unusual to get a whiff of burnt dust and debris as you fire up your furnace for the first time in months, especially if you haven't gotten around to cleaning it yet.
Wiping down the exterior of your furnace cabinet can help remove surface dust and debris. A good shop vacuum also comes in handy for vacuuming up loose debris in various nooks and crannies around the furnace.
Bring in Fresh Air
Good ventilation is the key to maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) throughout the winter. Keeping your windows slightly cracked whenever possible is one good way of bringing in fresh air— even if it also brings a bit of cold into your home. You can also use the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to flush out stale air.
Balanced ventilation systems offer a better way of promoting good ventilation throughout your home. These systems rely on a series of intake and exhaust fans to deliver fresh air to living spaces while removing stale air. Some systems even feature air-to-air heat exchangers that use warm outgoing air to pre-warm the incoming air sourced from the outdoors.
If you plan on replacing your furnace in the near future, choosing a sealed combustion unit that draws its intake air from the outdoors can help improve your home's IAQ and prevent exhaust from being drawn back into your living quarters.
Invest in a Humidifier
Combating dry air is also important for maintaining good air quality for your home. Unfortunately, dry winter air can be made even drier once it's been through your furnace. A humidifier offers a great way of adding moisture back into your home's parched air.
Portable humidifiers are relatively inexpensive and are ideal for restoring moisture on a room-to-room basis, but they also require a fair amount of maintenance and lack the coverage necessary for larger areas. Whole-house humidifiers, on the other hand, can be integrated into your existing HVAC system and deliver well-needed moisture throughout the entire home.
So exactly how much humidity does your home need? Most experts recommend keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent throughout the winter. Any higher and you could run the risk of exposing your home to unexpected mold and mildew problems.
Keep Your Furnace Serviced
Never underestimate the positive impact that regularly scheduled maintenance can have on your furnace, especially when it comes to overall performance and IAQ. Most experts recommend having your furnace checked out at least once a year, preferably before the start of the heating season.
Not only can your technician take care of your furnace's basic maintenance needs, but a comprehensive checkup can also reveal impending problems before they have an opportunity to sideline your heating system.
Get in touch with the experts at Dick Kearsley Service Center to learn more tips on improving your home's indoor air quality.
In Utah, having air conditioning to make it through the hottest months of the year is a necessity for many homeowners. However, older homes were not designed with central AC in mind, and installing a new system (especially when you don't have forced air heating) can be expensive and difficult.
Fortunately, because Utah has a dry climate, central air is not your only option. Many people opt to install evaporative coolers, otherwise known as "swamp" coolers, instead of central AC. Swamp coolers use a fan that pushes warm air through a pad soaked with cool water. When the air passes through the pad, the water cools the air, which then enters your home.
There are pros and cons to either cooling option. Here's what you need to know about each system when you're faced with the choice.
Installation
It's much simpler to install a swamp cooler than an entire home AC system. However, if you already have central heating, central air becomes less challenging to install. Your AC can use the same ducting that your heating does, so the process becomes as easy as installing the compressor and hooking up the electrical lines and fans to distribute the air through the home.
Swamp coolers are normally installed on the roof. The unit can look slightly out of place on a rooftop, but it does not require ducting anywhere else in the house.
Cost to Run
The cost of installation and running the swamp cooler makes it the winner in the savings category. Central air conditioning compressors require a lot of electricity to run. A swamp cooler only needs electricity to power a simple fan and water pump. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they use only a quarter of the energy that a central AC compressor uses.
For budget savvy consumers, the swamp cooler is the more economical choice for summer cooling.
Maintenance
Central AC does require some maintenance, but this is mostly clearing away debris from the compressor and making sure that the air filters are changed.
Evaporative coolers require much more maintenance. They must be winterized and sealed off before each winter. The pads that hold the water should be changed frequently to prevent mildew growth. The pump can wear out and will need replacing every few years. For people who like to turn on the AC and forget about it, swamp coolers are not the right fit.
Even Cooling
Another difference between central cooling and swamp coolers is how the cool air circulates through the home. Swamp coolers usually do not connect with any ducting. Instead, they move through the home by changes in pressure. When you keep the windows cracked in each room, the cool air flows into the home and forces warmer air out, pulling cool air into each room.
However, this motion is hurt by home layouts and closed doors. The disadvantages include:
People with larger homes or with historic homes that have many separate rooms may not find that a swamp cooler is as effective as it might be for those in small ranch-style houses or apartments.
Temperature Control
One particular benefit of central air conditioning is that you can set your thermostat to any temperature you would like. For those who like it very cold, 65 degrees might be the temperature of choice. For those who just like to take the edge off the summer heat, 78 degrees may feel comfortable.
With a swamp cooler, you do not have this advantage. You will find that your cooler may struggle to provide very cold air when temps soar into triple digits. The cooling capacity of the water in the pads remains the same, so when temperatures soar into triple digits, the air blowing from your cooler will still be less hot than outside, but it won't be as cold as you might like.
Weather
Finally, swamp coolers are affected more by the weather than central air conditioners. In order for the evaporative cooling effect to work, the air going through the cooler must be very dry and warm. So, if there is a warm rain storm or if humidity increases, the cooler will not work as well.
For more information about air conditioning installation costs and maintenance, contact us at Dick Kearsley Service Center.
For many homeowners, buying and installing a new furnace is a major undertaking. After all, it's likely to be one of the most expensive investments you'll make in your home. You want to be certain that your home actually needs a new furnace before spending thousands of dollars on your home's heating and cooling needs.
Fortunately, it doesn't take much to find out whether or not your home needs a new furnace. The following are five signs to look out for when it comes to replacing your heating system.
Imagine turning on your furnace during a chilly morning only to get nothing but cold air in return. Now imagine that this happens sporadically, with many a cold moment spent in waiting until your furnace finally swings into action. Poor reliability can make it exceptionally difficult to keep your home warm throughout the fall and winter months.
There are plenty of reasons why your furnace may suddenly become unreliable, including poor or nonexistent maintenance and premature component failures caused by defects or excessive use. Buying an oversized or undersized furnace can also lead to reliability problems later on.
If your furnace is no longer able to deliver consistent, reliable heat throughout your entire home, then it should be replaced with a newer and more reliable unit.
Despite being designed to operate as silently as possible, furnaces can become quite the outspoken machinery when they fall under distress. In fact, one of the best ways to find out what's wrong with a typical furnace is to listen for the noises it will inevitably make.
For instance, a faulty drive belt or a blower fan motor in need of repair or lubrication may produce squealing sounds of varying pitches, depending on the severity of the problem. Loud, rhythmic thumping noises often suggest fan blades coming into contact with their housing, while constant clicking noises point towards faulty relays or a faulty igniter.
These and a variety of other noises usually indicate that your furnace has seen better days. Although routine maintenance is important, it may be time to have your heating system replaced.
It's no secret that nearly half of a typical home's annual energy consumption is geared towards heating and cooling. This makes heating your home one of the largest expenses you can expect during the cold weather months. A furnace that's in good shape will produce affordable heat, but an aging or ailing furnace may have trouble keeping its energy consumption and energy costs in check.
Ordinary HVAC components can wear out over time, increasing the amount of energy required for these components to operate properly. Chronic repair issues, defects and outdated efficiency standards can also result in significant increases in energy consumption. Not only will you use more energy, but you'll also end up paying more for the energy your furnace consumes.
If you're looking forward to lowering your energy bills this year, you should consider having your furnace replaced with a modern unit. The latest high-efficiency furnaces offer a range of features that help reduce overall energy consumption without sacrificing heating comfort.
You expect to get the most out of your heating and cooling equipment, but you shouldn't expect your furnace to last forever. Most furnaces are capable of delivering up to 20 years of reliable service before being replaced with a newer unit. Some can even operate for 30 years or more with the right amount of care and maintenance.
Holding on to an old furnace might seem like the economical way to go, but it could actually cost you money in the long run. Not only do older furnaces use more energy than their newer counterparts, but constant repairs could cause the cost of owning one of these relics to skyrocket.
If it's been 15 years since you've replaced your furnace, you should get ready to replace your current unit with one that offers better efficiency, more features and improved performance.
A furnace that's in dire need of replacement can also pose a safety risk for you and anyone else in your home. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger or a rusted flue pipe can let exhaust gases seep back into your home's living spaces. With carbon monoxide a common byproduct of the combustion process, it's easy to see the danger an ailing furnace can pose to your family.
In addition to keeping your home's carbon monoxide detectors in good condition year-round, it's also important to have your furnace inspected by a seasoned professional. You should also be prepared to replace your furnace if your technician recommends it.
If your furnace is showing one or more of the above signs, then it's time to find a suitable replacement. Fortunately, the professionals at Dick Kearsley Service Center can help you find what you're looking for. Contact them today to get your furnace replaced.
520 S State, Clearfield, UT 84015
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Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Davis/Morgan: 801-773-4836
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