How to Maximize the Efficiency of your A/C System 

Routine A/C Maintenance can keep your system running at optimal standards. 

The A/C system in your home is largely responsible for the comfort that you feel during the scorching hot summer. Many consider your A/C to be the cornerstone of your home and you sure would feel it should it ever stop working. This entry is intended to give you helpful information that will help you get the most out of your system. We have listed some of the key steps to maintain the freshness in your home. If you have any additional tips that we may have left out feel free to add them in our comment section. 

Keep an Eye on your Air Filters   

This is one of the easiest maintenance tips that one can follow. What makes replacing your air filters especially important is that not doing so can be hazardous to your health. The air you breath in your home is just as impactful to your health as the air that you breath outside. In order to follow proper A/C maintenance you may want to change them every month or so. You can order air filters at an affordable rate from our parts store.     

Close your Doors and Windows

If you have your A/C at full blast and you still feel the heat don't panic. You may want to check your windows as sometimes having them open can counteract the work that your A/C is performing. The heat in your home may be the only thing that is holding your system back.

Invest in some Quality Blinds    

Your window coverings can be a big factor in regards to the temperature in your home. According to energy.gov blinds are effective when it comes to reducing summer heat. Another tip that you may want to consider is that closing your drapes or blinds in windows that receive the most sun light in your home will keep your home cooler. This is a small step that you can take which can create a lot of comfort towards your home.

Turn your Fans On       

Just because you have a top of the line A/C system does not mean that you need to throw away your fans. Household fans can increase the temperature in your home and will also further circulate the air. Besides if your A/C should ever go out it comes in handy to have some quality fans as back up. 

Invest in a Maintenance Plan 

This is the most effective step that you can take in order to ensure that your A/C is running at optimal levels. At SoBellas we offer our customers the customer care club. This service plan has been known to reduce our customers utility bills by up to 25%. We also recommend for our customers to have an annual check up to get their units ready for the spring season. There is no better preventative maintenance routine than a full inspection, cleaning and tune up.    

 

How to Handle Dryer Repair to Maximize Spending Efficiency

Depending on the make and model of your dryer and when it was made, you should expect it to last around a decade.

While it generally makes sense to keep your dryer running as long as possible, there are situations in which this is not the most sound financial decision, and this is why learning about dryer repair is so essential.

Gaining this knowledge will help you make better choices when it comes to maintaining your dryer.

Understand the Average Lifespan

Although it really depends on the make and model of your dryer, along with when it was made, you can expect an average dryer to last around a decade. It is possible for it to be shorter or longer, but this is a good guideline to follow for your dryer when you do not know its exact specifications.

Common Dryer Repairs

As long as you keep up with regular DIY maintenance and professional servicing, you are most likely to experience repairs that involve the coils, belts, or thermostats. In this case, when repairs like this come up, you do not have to be concerned about the longevity of the dryer as they are common.

It is when you experience problems that are not so common when there may be underlying issues that could affect the your dryer's lifespan, so a thorough inspection by a professional in this is often the right call.

When to Replace

In order to make the best financial decision, you should get prepared by finding out how much a dryer would cost you if you had to replace the one you currently have as knowing the price is essential.

If the cost of a repair is somewhat close to the cost of replacing your current dryer, and your dryer is getting close to being ten years old, replacing it is an easy decision to make. It is very circumstantial as to whether you should replace or repair a dryer, but the more knowledge you possess, the easier it will be to make a decision that ensures you are spending money efficiently.

Feel free to contact us to learn more about dryer repair.

Enjoy Longer-Lasting Clothes with Dryer Vent Cleaning

Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will help keep your dryer from overheating, which can damage fabric.

One of the most common reasons for getting your dryer vents cleaned is to prevent a house fire, but this should not be the only reason you invest in this form of routine maintenance. It should be standard protocol to maintain your appliances, which includes the dryer vents, but understanding how you can benefit from this in additional ways will help you be more prompt with getting the vent cleaned.

Keeping up with cleaning the vents will provide you with longer-lasting clothes.

Avoid Overheating

A properly cleaned vent does not overheat, which means your clothes do not reach excessively high temperatures that could be problematic for the fabric and lead to immediate or long-term damage.

Fewer Cycles

An important detail to note is that when your clothes are not dried properly, you are likely to run it through another cycle entirely or just extend the current cycle depending on the dampness of the clothing.

When this occurs, your clothes go through the drying process for upwards of twice as long as they normally would with a properly working dryer, and this ultimately reduces their lifespan.

Using a dryer is an effective way to dry clothes, especially in a timely manner, but clothes that go into the dryer are not expected to last several decades without any problems.

Although you may be concerned about how much it costs to get dryer vent cleaning, you will save a lot more money by getting this service as needed because your cloths will not need to be replaced as often.

Also, with a dryer that runs efficiently, you will be spending less on energy costs.

If you want to schedule a dryer vent cleaning, ask questions, or learn more about this particular service, please contact us today as we would love to help.

How to Prevent Home Fires due to Appliances

According to the the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires.

In fact there are many appliances in your home which if not properly maintained can become risks for a home fire. In this blog we will list the highest risk appliances and some steps that you may take which will help keep you and your family safe.

THE STOVE  

The stove is the cornerstone of any kitchen. It allows you to prepare those delicious home cooked meals. But did you know that same appliance that you depend on everyday can also become your worst nightmare? Its true that we cannot eliminate every risk but we can certainly take preventative steps.

• Be careful with excess oil that may get on your stove. 
• Do not let grease spills cause a fire and never leave the room while cooking.
• Make sure you turn of the appliance when it is not in use.
• Keep all flammable objects away from your stove.

Extra Tip: Never use your stove as a home heater as it can cause carbon monoxide! 

THE DISHWASHER

One of the most convenient things in anyone's kitchen is the ability to clean dishes quickly. Sure you could just hand wash them but in today's busy world sometimes there is not enough time. Despite the convenience that this appliance offers it also can become dangerous if not maintained. It is also a good idea to read up on your appliance online. Sometimes companies have issued out a recall due to a mechanical failure which could lead to a fire. 

• Do not under any circumstances leave your dishwasher running while you go off to sleep.
• A important fact to remember is that many dishwasher fires are not due to bad use from the user but are rather the products of a mechanical failure.  

THE WASHER & DRYER

Most of us could not go a day without our washers and dryers. They offer a level of convenience that only a few appliances can. These appliances are truly the peanut butter and jelly of the appliance world. They are also responsible for many home fires. According to the NFPA the leading cause of washer and dryer fires was the failure to clean them. 

• Clean your dryer vents. At SoBellas we have you covered. 
• Maintain your dryers lint tray. 
• Make sure your dryer duct is working at optimal standards.
• Make sure to clean your dryer and washer.    

THE MICROWAVE

 Microwaves are fast and efficient. They are very reliable but even a microwave can become the source of a home fire.  

• Never put metal in a microwave as it will surely cause a fire.
• Make sure to remove any food packaging before placing your food in the microwave. 

Ultimately a fire can happen at any time and there is no 100% way to prevent it. What we can do though is try our best to limit the chances of a fire occurring due to a faulty appliance. The tips above should be a great start towards protecting your beautiful home. We encourage our customers to continuously follow their instruction manuals guidelines. 

We offer our customers the ability to enroll in our customer care club which provides them with the option of having their appliances checked and maintained.     

    

The Life Span of Your Appliances 

Like everything electronic in our life your appliances will one day need to be replaced. The question is how do you know when you have reached that point?

At SoBellas home services we receive calls everyday about customers debating whether to repair or replace their appliances. The answer is not always easy as various factors come into play. We take our profession very seriously and no different than a highly trained doctor. In order to diagnose the situation we first need to send a certified and trained technician to evaluate the appliance. Based on his professional assessment we can then provide our customer with a definitive answer.

It is true that sometimes a problem can become so complex that it is to the customers benefit to simply replace the appliance. This is not always true though and in many cases you can save money simply by fixing your trusty appliance. In order to give you a answer we must look at the following three categories:

1. Dependability
2. Date of Purchase
3. Cost of Repair

Dependability

In terms of dependability it is important to consider how much you rely on your appliance. If you depend on it a lot such as one would with a refrigerator then its a bigger decision to make. You want to ensure that your unit will be around for a long time whether you repair it or replace it. 

Date of Purchase

Another important factor is the date of purchase. Did you know that most new appliances come with a  one year warranty? It is important to read the warranty that any appliance comes with as this can save you a lot of money in the long run. Also it is important to consider the lifespan that your appliance comes with. Contained below is a chart from the NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors).

Life Expectancy of Appliances

Air Conditioner (window) 5 to 7, Compactor (trash) 6, Dehumidifier 8, Dishwasher 9, Disposal (food waste) 12, Dryer Vent  (plastic) 5, Dryer Vent  (steel) 20, Dryer (clothes) 13, Exhaust Fans 10, Freezer 10 to 20, Gas Oven 10 to 18, Hand Dryer 10 to 12, Humidifier (portable) 8, Microwave Oven 9, Range/Oven Hood 14, Electric Range 13 to 15, Gas Range 15 to 17, Refrigerator 9 to 13, Swamp Cooler 5 to 15, Washing Machine 5 to 15, Whole-House Vacuum System 20

     

Even though appliances are supposed to last for several years they do not always get their maximum use. People typically replace them with more modern appliances and those that better fit the style that they are going for. If your appliance is not working and it has far exceeded its life expectancy then it may be best to look into a replacement. It is important to remember though that there is nothing like a classic. 

Cost of Repair 

At SoBellas we get some calls where the customer tells us that they went ahead and replaced the appliance that they were considering to purchase. This can be a great idea particularly when the cost of repairing the appliance exceeds the cost of buying a new one. We believe that in most instances it is best to repair your current appliances but we also know that sometimes its best to replace them.

Conclusion 

We hope that our latest blog post provided you with some good information to help you make a decision on your appliance. At SoBellas we believe strongly in maintenance as a way of extending the life of your appliances which is why we have our Customer Care Club. Our maintenance agreement is designed to offer you piece of mind and to save you money in the long run. Make sure to comment and let us know what are some experiences that you have had with appliances.          

   

Maintain Your Refrigerator with a Few Easy Tips to Avoid Refrigerator Repair

If you do not maintain the appliances in your home, you will end up spending thousands of dollars on repairs and replacing appliances that can no longer be repaired. It is better to simply maintain these appliances to avoid frustrating problems and spending money unnecessarily. Fortunately, most appliances do not require much to be kept in excellent condition, and this rule also applies to refrigerators, which should last an extremely long time by following just a few easy tips.

Make Sure it is Level at All Times

If something as large as a refrigerator is not level, there will be problems. A non-level refrigerator will inevitably lead to needing professional refrigerator repair, but this is avoidable by using a level. All you need to do is place it on top of the refrigerator to see if there is a problem that needs to be solved.

Do Some Routine Cleaning

While you can clean the condenser coils in the back of the refrigerator pretty easily, you will have the most success when you purchase and use a brush designed for coil cleaning. It is a minor investment for something that will help you maintain your refrigerator while also ensuring a quick cleaning job.

Choose Ideal Temperatures

In order to keep your refrigerator from working too hard, you want to choose balanced temperatures that keep your food at a low enough temperature, but not excessively low to cause overworking. For the fridge, somewhere around 38 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick and putting the freezer at around 0 degrees Fahrenheit will ensure great energy-efficiency while also keeping food frozen.

If you have any questions about appliance repair, feel free to contact us.

Air Conditioner Repair: The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Air Conditioner Repair: The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

Dust, cobwebs, and other debris that can collect in the ducting system can severely decrease your HVAC system's efficiency, so have the ducts cleaned regularly.

There is a lot that goes into properly maintaining the appliances in one’s home. In particular, there can be a lot of work involved in ensuring that your home’s HVAC system is properly taken care of. One such maintenance task that homeowners often neglect, or do not realize the importance of, is having their ductwork professionally cleaned. Having your air ducts cleaned as part of your annual air conditioner maintenance and repair can provide many benefits to homeowners as well as to their HVAC system. Here are just a few of these many benefits.

Increased Efficiency

Dust, cobwebs, and other debris that can collect in the ducting system in one’s home can severely decrease your HVAC system’s efficiency. In fact, this debris can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system by as much as 30%. This can cause your system to have to work harder, which can cause an increase in your energy bills. Thusly, having your ducts cleaned regularly can save you money on your utility bills.

Decreased Dust Accumulation

Much of the dust that accumulates in your home is spread through your air duct system. Having your duct-work cleaned can thus remove the dust at its source. People who have their ducting cleaned on a regular basis often find that they do not need to dust as frequently as they once did.

Air Quality

The air quality in one’s home can be greatly affected by unclean duct-work. Pollutants that can live and grow in these spaces, such as bacteria, allergens, fungus, pollen, and pet dander that can then be spread throughout your home via the duct-work. Professional duct cleaning can then improve the air quality in your home, and it can make your home a healthier, easier place to breathe and live in.

Regular duct cleaning can be vital as it can help to ensure the cleanliness and efficiency of your home’s duct-work. Doing so can help to keep your energy bills down, help to make your home a cleaner place, and it can help to lessen the severity of any allergies and/or respiratory problems your family may have. Contact us to find out about more of the benefits air duct cleaning can provide you with.