Burbank Appliance Repair
Dryer Repair Tips:
Is a gas dryer cheaper to run than an electric dryer?
Yes. Gas dryers are typically half as expensive to run as electric dryers.
Do dryer softener sheets hurt the dryer?
Yes and no. Dryer softener sheets don't harm the dryer. However, their residue may cause the screen of the lint filter to become partially clogged or the electronic moisture sensor to be coated with residue. If this happens, clean the screen with a little detergent and a soft-bristle brush, wipe off the sensor with a cotton ball and a little rubbing alcohol.
Sometimes the softener sheets get stuck in the lint filter or over the vents on the inside of the dryer, so check to be sure the sheets come out of the dryer with the load of clothes.
Is it important for my dryer to be level or would I need Dryer Repair?
Yes. All appliances perform best when set up properly. If a dryer is not level, it can cause some components to wear out prematurely, and an appliance repair technician would need to be consulted.
Washing Machine Repair Tips:
How do I know how many clothes to put into the washer?
For a top loader, a general rule of thumb is to lay clothes loosely inside the washer until they reach the top of the agitator. For a front loader, fill it until it's full, with minimal compression of the clothes.
Is it bad to let the machine run with an unbalanced load?
Yes. Washing machines are complex and have many functional components. It's always best to stop an unbalanced load, rearrange it, and re-start the washer.
Is it true that a nail, accidentally put in the washer, can break it?
Absolutely. So can a small chain or any other small metal object. That’s why it’s important to always empty all pockets before laundering.
How can I get rid of residual soap suds at the end of a cycle?
This is usually an indication that you're using too much detergent for the clothes you are washing. Try reducing the amount of detergent by half. Then, if the clothes aren't getting clean, increase the amount slightly for each load, until the clothes do get clean.
Range/Stove/Cooktop Repair Tips
Why won't my clock keep the correct time?
If your clock consistently gains or loses time, you'll have to replace the clock if you want to have the correct time. Such clocks aren't repairable.
Oven Repair: Why won't my oven heat to the proper temperature?
If you have a gas oven, see "There is a red glow in my oven, but it isn't heating. Why?" If that section doesn't help, or if you have an electric oven, consult the Troubleshooting Guide portion of our website for more help.
Oven Repair: Should I leave the oven door open when broiling?
Maybe. Many ovens have the broiler built into the oven near the top. If this is true for your unit, it may be best to leave the oven door open a few inches. If the broiler is at the bottom--in a drawer--you can leave the door closed.
Cooktop Repair: Is it normal for my electric burners and oven heating element to glow bright red?
Yes. Electric burners and heating elements glow red--or bright red--when set to one of the higher settings.
Refrigerator Repair Tips
Refrigerator Repair: Does my refrigerator/freezer need any routine maintenance?
Yes. See our Maintenance Tips section for more information.
Can I put a refrigerator/freezer out in my garage?
Yes. But, if the refrigerator is self-defrosting, don't let the garage temperature drop to much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, the oil becomes thick and causes premature compressor failure.
How full can I pack my freezer?
Full. There is generally no limit to how full it can be. Just take care not to block air vents. For best efficiency, try to keep it at least half full.
Refrigerator Repair: How full can I pack my refrigerator?
Refrigerators work best if they're not packed full, because the air flow becomes restricted, which limits cooling capability.
Refrigerator Repair: What is freezer burn, how can I prevent it?
Freezer burn is dehydration caused by food being exposed to the air in the freezer. Often the wrappings used in supermarkets don't prevent dehydration. Re-wrapping foods in airtight containers or wrappings usually avoids this problem.
It's not unsafe to cook and eat freezer-burned food, but the resulting meal is often tough and tasteless!
Air Conditioning Repair Tips
AC Repair: How does a window air conditioner work?
Window air conditioners work on exactly the same principles as a refrigerator or dehumidifier. They have a cooling system that refrigerates the air entering the unit. The moisture in the air condenses on the cold coils and drips into the bottom tray of the air conditioner. The warm air in the room is drawn over the evaporator coil, which collect heat. The heat is conducted into a refrigerant gas. The gas is then circulated to the condensing coils on the back of the unit where it is dissipated to the outside. For more info see the section How things Work.
Air Conditioning Repair: Can I run my air conditioner all year long?
You can run the air conditioner as long as both the outside and inside temperatures are above 60 degrees. If either temperature is too cold, the unit may not function properly
AC Repair: Are window air conditioners expensive to run?
Yes. They use a considerable amount of electricity. A standard single room air conditioner will cost approximately 7-12 cents per hour to operate. If you run the air conditioner for 8 hours per day it will cost you approximately $24.40 per month at $.10 per kilowatt hour.
Air Conditioning Repair: How do air conditioners remove humidity from the room?
The evaporator coils on the front of the air conditioner get very cold during normal operation of the air conditioner. As the warm moist air in the room comes in contact with the cold evaporator the moisture in the air condenses out of the air and attaches to the evaporator coil. As more and more moisture condenses the water begins to drip down into the base of the air conditioner where it is evaporated to the outside of the house.
Air Conditioning Repair: What can I do to make my air conditioner more efficient?
Prevent any direct sunlight from heating up the room the unit is in. Clean the dust filter every month or as often as it needs it. Limit using any heat generating appliances such as stoves, ovens, microwave ovens, hair dryers, etc.
