With autumn in our midst and holidays right around the corner, colder temperatures have arrived. Here are a few appliance maintenance reminders to prepare your home for the upcoming season!
Fridges:
If your refrigerator is installed in an area that isn’t climate-controlled and where temperatures may drop below 50℉, be sure to review the minimum operating temperature for your fridge before that first cold snap. Most residential refrigerators are not designed to operate in temperatures below 50℉, and installing them in areas that regularly get that cold may lead to inconsistent cooling. Refer to the user manual or installation guide specific to your model of refrigerator or freezer to find the manufacturer-specified operating temperature range required for consistent cooling performance. To find a fridge or freezer with a lower minimum operating temperature, look for models listed as “garage-ready”!
Appliances with a water fill hose:
To prevent water fill hoses from leaking or bursting (including those for washing machines, dryers with a steam valve, and dishwashers), replace the hoses every 5 years. Older hoses and hoses installed in areas that reach temperatures close to freezing are more likely to burst, because water expands when it freezes. If your washing machine or dishwasher must be installed in a basement, garage, or other area that is not climate-controlled and may potentially reach temperatures below 60℉, do your best to insulate the water hoses and valves for best performance.
Laundry Machines + Dryers:
Did you know? Most laundry detergents lose efficacy in water temperatures below 60℉, and most washing machines in the U.S. do not have heaters to increase water temperature.
Do not install a clothes dryer in an area where the temperature may fall below 45℉ to prevent it from running for too long, which can damage parts and pose a fire hazard.
Ranges:
For slide-in ranges, pull the range away from the wall to clean behind and underneath it before the weather starts getting colder–especially if you live in a more rural area. Many rodents find their way indoors as the seasons change, and they can do a lot of damage to appliances. Mice love to chew through wiring and use oven insulation as nesting, and have even been known to store food in areas inside ovens where it can catch fire and smolder. Cleaning behind, underneath, and inside of your range can help to prevent mice and other rodents from being attracted to it as a nesting space.
When cleaning the inside of the range, ditch the high-heat self-clean cycle in favor of the gentler and safer steam-clean method!
