We provide appliance repair services throughout the East Bay
Tips to Save Money and the Environment
We’d like to share some environmental tips that will save you money and keep your appliances working longer.
Washing Machines
Traditional washers use about 48 gallons of water per fill, which is 96 gallons per wash. Add the extra rinse option, and you are using 144 gallons per wash.
High efficiency machines use about 4 gallons per fill, which is equivalent to filling an average kitchen sink. That’s 8 gallons per wash and 12 gallons with an extra rinse.
Comparing an H.E. and a Traditional washer, the average machine uses around 132 less gallons of water per load. If you are using a water meter, the machine could pay for itself in 3 to 5 years.
Soap, Bleach, and Softener
The more soap you add to a load, the cleaner the clothes, right?
The truth is exactly the opposite. Remember the comparison to filling a kitchen sink? The average kitchen sink is around 4 gallons. if you were to hand wash a garment in your sink, how much soap would you use? The correct answer is about a table spoon. If you need to add bleach to that garment, you wouldn’t dump in a 1/2 cup of bleach, would you? Let’s hope not. Read on for the correct usage for an H.E. washing machine.
Soap Usage for An H.E. Machine
Bleach: 1 capful, and then fill to the dispenser line with warm water so it will siphon.
Softener: 1 table spoon, and then fill to the dispenser line with warm water to avoid coagulation.
It is also required to use five or more of the same fabric in each wash to achieve a balanced load and max spin speed. This will reduce your dry time.
Once you start using the correct amount of soap, it will take 7 to 10 loads to get the residual soap buildup out. Using the incorrect amount of soap will cause many problems and it really doesn’t clean your cloths. The water turns into a glue-like substance, your clothes stick together, not allowing them to wash away dirt and grime. With sticky clothes, the machine has trouble balancing the load during the spin cycle, resulting in low spin speeds, and affecting your dryer time.
The gluey soap causes soap build up throughout the inner tub. The soap buildup or soap scum can become rancid, causing that lovely odor you smell. Regular use of the cleaning cycle will help, but using less soap will make a big difference. Liquid soap also intensifies this affect. Use powder soap.
Some problems that may occur by using too much soap:
- Poor cleaning
- Out of balance and walking
- Low spin speeds or no spin
- Long drain or the pump out process takes a long time
- The door or lid will not open
- The unit stops mid cycle
- Heavy or wet clothes at the end of the cycle.
Dryers
Dish Washers
Your dishwasher also requires a rinse agent, like “Jet Dry.” Rinse agents help remove any remaining soap that hasn’t rinsed away, and the soap will bake on dishes and glasses in the final drying cycle.
Soap is important, but too much the wrong soap can cause problems. Depending upon your water hardness, you may need to use more soap. For example, Bay Area water is primarily soft, and filling half of the main dispenser is all that is usually needed. If you have a prewash dispenser, you would also fill it half way. We found that powder soaps perform better and cause less problems. Are you using convenient blister packs of all-in-one soap? Switch today, they can cause a variety of problems.
Refrigerators
To maximize your refrigerator’s operational efficiency, always keep your condenser free from restrictions, such as pet hair and dust. Regular cleaning will save you operating costs and prevent a potential cooling failure.
If you are a Sub-Zero owner, you are already aware of your unit’s efficiency. Regular maintenance is required every 6 to 8 months to achieve the efficiency and longevity from your unit. Scheduled maintenance is available. Call us at (510) 301-0223 for rates.
Daily Hours
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Payment Terms
We are licensed, certified by the EPA, and insured by The Hartford Insurance Co. We offer paperless invoicing and paper options per request.