It’s tough enough to keep the New Year’s Resolutions we make for ourselves, let alone our appliances. However, a little maintenance can go a long way to saving you money this year. To help get you motivated, here’s our list of 5 Appliance Maintenance Resolutions for the New Year!
Heating System
Filters should be cleaned once a month and replaced every three months. Make sure the furnace is turned off. Remove the access panel and slide out the screen. Clean dirt buildup and dry filter before replacing it. The Home Depot offers great tips on changing your air filters regularly.
Oven
Keep it as clean as possible. As grease and spills build-up, the oven has to work harder to do its job, especially heating elements, which uses more energy consumption.
Dishwasher
Clean the trap located under the bottom rack of your dishwasher. Hand wash in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Read more tips in our article Is Your Dishwasher Holiday Ready?
Refrigerator
Clean the coils once or twice a year. They are located at the bottom of the unit or in the back. A vacuum cleaner with a stiff brush attachment should do the trick.
A/C
Turn off power at breakers. Make sure the outdoor unit is clear of debris. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for switching out the air filter. Do this every one to three months, for optimal efficiency. Read more in our article How to Maintain Your Air Conditioner.
Finally. New Year’s resolutions we can all keep. Who knows? Maybe conquering our list of Appliance Maintenance Resolutions for the New Year will inspire you to get going on those tougher resolutions. Happy New Year!