Tag Archives: appliance repair

Will a Home Warranty Cover Appliance Repairs?

Occasional appliance repairs are a fact of life for most consumers today. As a result of recent economic conditions, many homeowners have elected to keep their old appliances rather thanAppliance Repair replace them with expensive new models. Consequently, the popularity of home warranty programs has increased. Although many benefits can be derived from these programs, so too can drawbacks. When it comes to your home appliances, the value may not justify the cost.

The Benefits of a Home Warranty

The cost of a home warranty today is typically between $500 and $800, depending on the options you choose. When an appliance in your home breaks, you simply contact the warranty company and they send out a contractor to do the repairs. You then pay a trade call fee to the contractor, typically between $75 and $125. Think of this much like your auto insurance deductible or health coverage co-pay. As long as the repair is covered, that’s your maximum out-of-pocket expense — theoretically. Unfortunately, these programs aren’t what they used to be even a few years ago.

Common Criticisms of Home Warranty Programs

Although the cost of a home warranty hasn’t gone up all that much, trade call fees were $35 only a few years ago. The maximum coverage limits have been scaled back as well, so many plans won’t pay out more than a set amount for any given repair. But what many home repair warranty customers are most bothered by are excluded items.

For example, most plans forbid appliance repair contractors from working on an appliance if you have changed out any factory-supplied parts. So if you have had to switch out your washer’s hoses because the factory hoses wore out, the repair tech may refuse to work on your machine. Even so, you’re probably still responsible for the trade call fee. Now you’re $100 lighter and you still have to call (and pay for) your own repair company.

Should You Purchase a Home Warranty?

New homes come with a builder warranty, so purchasing additional coverage won’t provide any value for you. If your home is historic or if you purchased it through a distress sale such as foreclosure, a warranty may be beneficial for covering unexpected system failures (assuming those are covered items under your plan). If the seller paid for your warranty when you purchased your home, you will likely derive benefit from it during the first year.

When it comes time to renew, however, experts advise careful consideration of the program’s value. Warranty companies, like any insurer, are in business to turn a profit. If you save money one year, the law of averages indicates that you may lose money on it the next. Read the fine print and be sure you understand all the details before shelling out the money to renew your plan.

Complete Appliance Repair, serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding communities, specializes in providing exceptional value for its customers. In many cases, their experienced repair technicians can complete the repairs on your appliances for less than a trade call might cost under a home warranty. Call on them for all of your heating and air conditioning repair needs, as well as for home appliance repairs, sales and service.

How to Clean Refrigerator Coils

If you have clean refrigerator coils, you’re reducing your risk of appliance failure by almost 75 percent. The coils are what keeps refrigerant flowing. If they become coated in greasy grime Refrigerator Coilsand pet hair, the unit struggles to work and will eventually fail. Fortunately, the cleaning process is quick and easy. If you maintain your kitchen appliances properly, they will provide you with trouble-free operation for years to come.

Why Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

When dust, animal fur and other debris builds up on your refrigerator’s condenser coils, the appliance can lose efficiency. Its parts can wear out more quickly and draw unusually high amounts of power when its working harder to keep its cool. Because dirty coils build up heat, the system can stop working entirely, potentially causing your food to spoil. For some types of flooring, a buildup of gunk on the coils at the base of the refrigerator can cause a sticky, gooey mess. Three out of four refrigerator repair calls are said to be the result of neglecting coil maintenance.

Steps for Cleaning the Coils

Unplug the unit and pull it away from the wall. The coils are typically at the base of the unit, but some may be on the back. If yours are on the back, give them a quick dusting and call it good for another year. If they’re on the bottom, however, clean them thoroughly every six months (more frequently if you have pets that shed). You may have to remove a plastic cover or kick plate from the front or rear. Start with a bendable coil cleaning brush, removing as much debris as possible from the front and rear. Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice or vent attachment to remove any remaining dust, taking special care around the condenser fan.

Keeping Your Fridge Coils Clean

The most effective way to prevent future problems is to stay ahead of the dust and pet hair. Things end up under the refrigerator after they’ve blown around for a few days. It’s also helpful to keep the walls around the unit clean and grease-free. If the dust you cleaned away was particularly greasy, check your stove’s vent fan. Finding a greasy buildup away from the stove area is a good indication that the filter may be clogged or you’re simply not using it often enough. Ensure that your fridge has plenty of space for air circulation. Most experts suggest a three-inch minimum clearance on each side and six to 12 inches on top. Don’t stack items on top, as this can hold in dangerous heat.

Complete Appliance Repair, serving the communities in and around Salt Lake City, is your local expert for appliance repair and maintenance. Their professional technicians carry a full supply of parts on their trucks, ensuring a quick and effective repair. Ask them for tips on the best way to clean refrigerator coils.

Utah Appliance Replacement Parts and Service

When you need appliance replacement parts and service, you can’t trust just anyone. Household appliances are marvels of modern convenience, but they’re also expensive. Having a major appliance out of commission is more than just inconvenient — it can Appliance Repaircost you money for lost goods as well as repairs. An outage of your refrigerator, for example, can result in hundreds of dollars in spoiled food. In the Salt Lake City area, Complete Appliance Repair and Service is your go-to solution when appliances go on the fritz.

The Importance of Replacement Parts

Replacing broken appliance parts requires training, experience and the knowledge that it’s best to use only parts that meet or exceed the manufacturer’s standards. If you’ve ever tried a DIY appliance repair, you understand how confusing it can be to identify what’s wrong and what you need to repair it. Complete Appliance’s technicians know how to quickly troubleshoot the problem, but they also have a wealth of parts-supplier resources to help locate and obtain the parts required — even if your appliance is old or obscure. In fact, tracking down hard-to-find parts is their specialty. Every repair call is treated with urgency, ensuring that your problem will be fixed in short order.

But What if My Appliance Can’t Be Repaired?

Have you ever had a stove or washing machine that was beyond repair, the technician throwing his hands up and leaving you with nothing but a bill for the service call? That won’t happen with Complete Appliance Repair and Service. They not only offer parts replacement and repair services, but if there’s just no fixing your machine, they also sell new appliances of all types at competitive prices. If you prefer to go shopping for your new refrigerator or dishwasher yourself, Complete Appliance will be happy to handle the installation for you and guarantee your satisfaction.

Routine Maintenance for All Your Appliances

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the professionals at Complete Appliance couldn’t agree more. Annual maintenance service can prevent unexpected outages and premature appliance failures. Having regular maintenance service performed on your washing machine, for example, can help prevent catastrophic water damage from broken hoses or failed couplings. The experienced technicians can instruct you in basic DIY maintenance too, helping you save even more.

Your home appliances represent a significant investment. Before you trust their care to just anyone, contact Complete Appliance Service and Repair. As a locally owned family business, they have earned a spotless reputation in the Salt Lake City area. They consider the residents their neighbors and pride themselves on providing a level of service that is unrivaled in their industry. Ongoing training ensures that their technicians are well-versed in the latest technology and safety standards, and they won’t rest until you’re happy with the results. When the unpleasant time comes to seek out appliance replacement parts and repair service, trust your investment to the specialists at Complete Appliance.