Appliances Hacks – Tips on how to use your most common appliances, most efficiently

June 3rd, 2015

Appliance Hack Appliance Questions Appliance Talk Clothes Dryers Dishwashers Environment, Energy & Water Saving Fridges & Freezers Fridges & Freezers Kitchen Laundry Washers & Dryers

At Appliances Online we not only keep our eyes out for the latest technologies and products, we also love looking for ways to use existing ones to their fullest potential.

Efficiency is at the heart of this, and these are just a few simple tips to keep some of your most used appliances running their best.

Fridge/Freezer

Your fridge is likely the most used appliances in your kitchen, and because it’s always on, it always has an important job to do. So it pays to keep it running at its most efficient, literally (with all those power bill savings).

1.Keep it clean

It’s important to keep your fridge clean and running at it’s most effective. This is fairly easy to do once you know what you’re doing.
Power off your fridge and locate the confessor coils and fan on the back of the fridge (this location may vary slightly with different models). Gently run a vacuum cleaner across any dust and dirt, and remove with a duster any remaining particles. This will help your fridge operate at it’s most efficient if done regularly, and likely help prevent any damage or early failures.

2.Keep it full

Because fridges and freezes are actually working by cooling the air inside them, it can pay to have your fridge as full as possible. This ensures less less air inside that the fridge needs to work on cooling. Consider filling that extra space with extra drinks, which can just be bottles of water. This will also come in handy on a hot day to keep you cool and refreshed.

Image courtesy of Keerati at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Keerati at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3.Keep it sealed

Of course you know to keep it closed, there’s even an annoying alarming reminding you to do this. BUut it also means keep it as airtight as possible. Older fridges, after years of use can require a replacement rubber or plastic seal around the door. Although this may sound difficult, most models allow for this to be done easily, and most manufacturers make sourcing a new seal easy.

Dishwasher

The dishwasher is one the most convenient appliances in the house and can make even the biggest pile of dirty dishes look easy. Manufacturers are always looking at trying to get machines running more efficiently and more effectively, but with the right techniques you can play a major role in how your dishwasher works.

1.Fill it effectively

Of course it doesn’t make sense to run your dishwasher if your only washing a very small load, but when it comes to using it most efficiently the way you fill it can be a key factor.
Make sure you’re filling your dishwasher without overlapping items.
Also, avoid “overfilling” as this will mean the dishes won’t come out pristine and you’ll end up needing to do further cleaning; wasting electricity, water, and time.

Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2.Know the features

Many newer model dishwashers have countless cycle types and programmable options built into the machine. Getting to know what they are and how to use them can not only mean cleaner dishes, but potentially more efficient usage.
Some even come with options like “eco-load” or “half-load” which will adapt the cycle to your needs.

3.Dump the rinse

This may sound crazy to some but the rinsing of dishes before putting them in the dishwasher isn’t necessarily helping. Dishwashers are designed to do exactly that, wash dishes. So when it comes to putting a plate in, just scrap off any large leftovers and put it straight in.
You’ll save water by not rinsing first-off and the dishes should come out equally, if not more clean. Modern machines and detergents are designed to clean food off dishes, and if there isn’t any food on them, they can often wear away at items such as glasses. And with updated filtration technologies the food will all be washed away with the water anyway.

Laundry

The washing machine and the dryer, the heart and soul of the laundry, the perfect clothing couple, the vital… you get the picture, they’re endlessly valuable machines.
The clothes cleaning combo will get a fair share of use, so it pays to have this done as efficiently as possible.

1.Temperatures

Washing machines will often have many cycle options, with many temperature controls, and it is hugely beneficial to use them correctly.
If paired with a good quality detergent most washes can be done perfectly with just cold water, and can help you save on energy costs by avoiding the need to heat up water inside the machine.
If you do want to use a hot water wash to remove extra oil or grease, many machines will allow you to install both a cold and hot water hose to the machine. This will negate the need to heat water inside the washing machine, and instead plumb it straight from the tap.

2.Fill it effectively

As discussed with dishwashers above, both washing machines and dryers are most efficient when used with the correct loads.
Different machines will have different capacities, and even different cycles will have different recommended and maximum capacities. It pays to know what they are to use both electricity and water most effectively.

Image courtesy of papaija2008 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of papaija2008 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3.Clean the lint out.

This small consideration is easy to forget but can make a difference to the efficiency of your dryer.
Put simply, when your lint tray is full of these little lint particles your dryer needs to work much harder to push heated air throughout your drying clothes. Keeping it clean will make sure it will be always running at it’s best. Most models make this process as quick and easy as possible.

Keeping your appliances running at their most efficient means you can hopefully save a few extra dollars on your power and water bills, and help conserve valuable resources – keeping the planet just that little bit greener.

Braedon has been with Appliances Online since early 2015 and has quickly found a new appreciation for all the crazy high-tech technology that goes into everyday home appliances. When Braedon's not at the Appliances Online office, or writing a blog post here, you can probably find him out taking photos or trapped at home having an X-files marathon session. Braedon's favourite appliance is the Samsung 9kg heatpump dryer, because it looks like it belongs in a spacecraft, rather than a laundry.

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