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Why Won’t My Front-Loading Washer Drain?

You hear the cycle on your front loading washer stop, so you head to the laundry room to put the clothes in the dryer, but you are greeted by the sight of water still in the tub. Why hasn’tFront Loading Washer the water drained out?

Read on to learn about some possible causes and solutions. In some cases, you may even be able to handle the problem yourself and avoid a service call.

Check the Drain Hose

Start by taking a look at the machine’s drain hose.

If the hose is kinked, twisted or bent, your washing machine may not be able to drain properly. The hose also can become partially or fully blocked by a piece of laundry or other obstruction.

Try removing the hose to check for blockages (disconnect it over a bucket to avoid a mess!), and straighten any kinks or bends. When you replace the hose, make sure it is not more than 8 feet from the floor, as this can hamper drainage.

Clear the Drain Trap

Front-loading washers have drain traps that collect any small items that end up in your laundry (Legos or little green Army men, for example). The trap prevents coins, hardware and other small items from entering the main drain.

This trap is typically on the front of the washing machine, so look for a small cutout at the bottom. Gently pry the cutout off, either by hand or with a screwdriver, if necessary. Next, remove the screw cap, using a container to collect any water that may leak out.

Finally, slide out the drain trap and remove any items, then replace it securely.

Other Potential Causes

If your front loader has gone dead in the middle of a cycle and is completely full of water, it’s definitely worthwhile to check for a tripped circuit breaker or GFI, blown fuse, or — simplest of all — see if the washer wasn’t accidentally unplugged.

If none of these options solves the issue, you may indeed have a mechanical problem.

If the water won’t drain, it could be a problem with the washing machine’s pump, or it could be an electrical fault inside the appliance that has stopped the pump from doing its job. You may even have a defect in the lid switch assembly, which can lead the machine to believe its door is open.

With any of these problems, a DIY appliance repair probably isn’t possible, which means it’s time to call an experienced technician from Complete Appliance Repair. Serving North Salt Lake and the greater northern Utah area, we specialize in quick, professional repairs to have you back up and washing in no time. Call us today if your front-loading washer is giving you any problems.

Counter-Depth Refrigerators: Do You Need One?

Counter-depth refrigerators give any kitchen a sleek and modern look. These appliances align flush with the counter, rather than jutting out past the edge.
Counter Deep Refrigerator Appliance
But, as attractive as these models can be, they may not be right for everyone. Read on to learn more about whether this type of refrigerator might be a practical addition to your kitchen.

Measurements

How deep are your kitchen countertops? Measuring from the wall, the standard depth is 25 inches, but some homes have different-sized cabinets and countertops, depending on their age and the materials used.

It is critical to make sure you get your measurements right when considering these refrigerators, or else you run the risk of ordering an appliance that will not sit flush with your counters.

Many refrigerators that are advertised as being counter-depth will not actually fit flush with your counters, even if yours are 25 inches deep. This is because manufacturers use the measurement of the refrigerator box in determining depth, and this figure does not include the doors or the extra space needed for airflow behind the appliance.

So the true measurement of a countertop-depth refrigerator will be a few inches larger than the measurement on the box.

Capacity Considerations

Counter-depth refrigerators typically have a smaller capacity than traditional models.

This may turn some people away from this type of refrigerator; however, many homeowners don’t even notice the few inches of space that they lose. These appliances are designed for maximum efficiency and minimal wasted space.

Manufacturers use a variety of shelves, drawers and cubbies to provide ample storage for foods and beverages. Larger families may need the extra space that a traditional refrigerator can provide, but for many, the slightly smaller storage area in a counter-depth model may be a fair trade-off for the extra space in the kitchen. Plus it can save energy as well!

Choosing a Refrigerator

If a seamless look is most important to you, counter-depth refrigerators will best suit your needs.

Some built-in models can even be customized with panels matching your kitchen cabinets. If you don’t want to lose interior storage space, or if these models do not line up with your cabinets, however, a traditional configuration may be best.

When shopping for a new refrigerator, don’t forget to consider a few other factors.

Do you want a side-by-side model, or would you prefer one with a freezer on the top or the bottom? Do you need an ice or water dispenser? What features interest you? You may decide that you want adjustable shelves, for example, or temperature-controlled drawers. Keep these factors in mind as you are looking at counter-depth refrigerators.

Would you like more information on the latest appliances or assistance in choosing the right model to suit your needs?

Contact the experienced professionals at Complete Appliance Repair in Salt Lake City. We specialize in personalized service. As a locally owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on helping you find the perfect appliances for you. Give us a call today and allow us to answer all your questions about counter-depth refrigerators.

Energy-Saving Tips for Home Appliances

Using these energy-saving tips can help you save money and be kind to the environment in the New Year.Energy Saving Tips

Of course, the ideal approach is to invest in an entire suite of brand-new Energy Star®-rated appliances, which would certainly boost your home’s efficiency. As nice as that might be, however, replacing every appliance in the house is probably not practical for most of us.

So, for a more realistic approach to cutting back on power consumption in 2016, check out our handy guide for ideas on how to save energy with your current home appliances.

Laundry Room Appliances

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating consumes roughly 90 percent of the energy necessary to operate your clothes washer.

One of the best energy-saving tips for the washing machine is to use a cold water wash cycle whenever possible. Try to run full loads too, because the electrical cost of washing a large load is the same as for washing a small or partial load.

As for the dryer, using it less will provide the biggest benefit.

Not everyone has room for a clothesline outside or an indoor drying rack, however, so what’s the next best approach? Make a resolution to clean the lint filters after each and every load, and to clean the dryer ducts on a regular basis to improve air circulation and to speed drying.

And, as with the washer, be sure to run full loads. Sensor drying or using low heat settings will use less energy too.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Your refrigerator and freezer are big energy hogs, but you can take steps to significantly increase their efficiency.

First of all, be sure to keep the thermostat at the proper temperature — between 37 and 40 degrees for the refrigerator and 0 to 5 degrees for the freezer. Clean the condenser coils and remove dust and debris periodically. Dirty coils will force your appliance to work harder and longer, and use more energy.

Minimize the time the door is open, especially in the summer, to avoid making the unit work harder to maintain temperature. Finally, switch off the ice maker, as it consumes a lot of energy.

Stoves and Ranges

For your range, you can save energy by managing how you use the appliance.

When operating the burners on an electric stove, have you noticed that they can remain hot for a few minutes after being switched off? Take advantage of this residual heat by cutting the power to your burners a few minutes before the end of your cook time.

Do the same with your oven. And be sure to match the size of your pan to the size of your burner — using a small pan on large burner squanders energy.

Check your oven door seal periodically and have it replaced ASAP if you notice any damage or cracking. Also, if you feel heat escaping around the oven, have a technician take a look. Not only can this result in excess energy use, but it can negatively affect the quality of cooking and baking.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are a lot like washing machines in that most of their energy use goes to heating water. However, hot water is a necessary to ensure proper cleaning and sanitation, so you’ll need to try other solutions to cut costs.

Make sure always to run full loads, as any load will use the same amount of electricity. Switch to the no-heat option for the drying cycle and run the shortest load necessary to clean your dishes.

At Complete Appliance Repair, we know that the best way to keep energy costs down is to keep your appliances in good working order. This year, have one of our experienced technicians inspect your home appliances. Preventive maintenance will not only save energy, it will help prevent unexpected and costly repair bills by catching any potential problems before they escalate.

Be sure to ask the technician for more energy-saving tips for your appliances!

Home Appliance Disposal Tips

Proper home appliance disposal can be tricky, especially in Utah, if you don’t know the right way to go about it.Appliance Disposal

If you are shopping for a new appliance, you’ll need to do something with your old model. How can you get rid of an unwanted appliance? Read on for some quick, easy and environmentally friendly ideas.

The New Installation Swap-Out

One of the most convenient home appliance disposal options is to let the company delivering or installing your new model take away your old one. Many installers will remove your unwanted unit for you when they bring the new one.

And, if you have other appliances you would like to get rid of, some helpful companies will haul those away as well for a reasonable fee. Because this makes disposal of an old appliance quick and easy, many consumers like take advantage of this service.

Donate Your Appliances

If your appliance is still in decent working condition (and sometimes even if it’s not!), another option for appliance disposal is to donate it to a charity.

Some organizations will even arrange to pick up the unit to save you the trouble of delivering it to a donation center. Charities may also take some types of broken appliances.

If you donate your appliance, it may go to a needy family or to a store to be sold at a discounted price. Any proceeds from unwanted appliances typically go to a worthy cause. And, you can write off your donation when you file your taxes!

Dispose of Your Old Appliances Properly

If your appliance is beyond repair, please be responsible about its disposal!

Refrigerators and freezers typically contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment, such as ozone-depleting refrigerants and foam-blowing agents. The same is true for window air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

For this reason, it is a good idea to contact your local recycling facility to learn about home appliance disposal. Some facilities, including several in Salt Lake City, operate as Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) partners with the EPA. RAD centers use the best environmental practices to safely remove any harmful substances in the unit before reusing the metal and other materials.

RAD facilities typically charge a reasonable fee to handle your cast-off appliances, but it’s worthwhile to ensure that you’re being kind to the environment!

Check with the Utility Companies

Some utility companies also may offer to take away your old appliances and give you an incentive to boot!

For example, Rocky Mountain Power, servicing parts of Utah, offers its customers $30 for their unwanted (eligible) refrigerator or freezer, with the choice of taking the cash or giving it as a donation to the Utah Food Bank. Pickup of your old unit is usually free.

At Complete Appliance Repair, serving Kaysville and the greater Salt Lake City area, we gladly remove your old appliances when we install your shiny, new one. We promise to be considerate in its disposal and ensure that it doesn’t harm the environment.

Contact us today for all of your sales, installation and repair needs, and be sure to ask about home appliance disposal!

Why Do My Clothes Take Forever to Dry?

You put your laundry in the clothes dryer, rightly expecting it to be done in an hour or so, yet when you come back to unload, everything is damp and the appliance is still running. Or the Clothes Dryerdrying cycle finishes, but you need to run it a second time for the towels or linens to fully dry.

Why is your dryer taking such a long time to successfully complete a cycle? It could be one of a number of issues.

Lint Buildup

You must clean the lint filter after each dryer cycle, as buildup restricts airflow and causes longer dry times, but did you know that you need to wash this filter periodically as well?

Along with lint, fabric softener residue can accumulate in the filter. At least once a month, remove your dryer filter and wash it with warm, soapy water. Allow it to dry thoroughly before returning it to the machine.

It’s also very important to have a professional clean your dryer’s ductwork at least once a year. Over time, lint buildup can create a blockage in the ducts and venting hose, reducing the rate at which your laundry dries.

Door Seal Damage

When you close the door of your dryer, its gasket seal keeps cooler air out of the drum while keeping the hot air inside.

Without a proper seal, your clothes dryer can’t maintain the correct temperature needed to ensure optimal drying times. If your clothes take too long to dry, check the door seal for signs of damage or wear. A torn or dried-out door seal is a quick and simple repair for an experienced technician.

Mechanical Issues

If lint buildup or a damaged door seal aren’t responsible for your lengthy drying times, you may have a mechanical problem.

If the blower wheel is not firmly attached to the drive motor shaft, this can reduce airflow to the drum. A heating element that is partially or completely burned out also can result in a prolonged drying time.

In rare cases, you may have a faulty thermostat or sensor. With a heating element or thermostat problem, the dryer will not reach the appropriate heat level to properly dry the laundry.

If your drying cycles seem to be taking longer than usual, you’re wasting energy as well as your time. Contact Complete Appliance Repair, serving Bountiful and the greater Salt Lake City area, for a professional evaluation and repair call. Our friendly, experienced technicians will ensure that your appliance performs the way it’s supposed to, and we’ll have your clothes dryer back to normal in no time.