Feb 1, 2021
Top 5 Common Appliance Concerns & Tips to Remedy Them
Washing Machine Odors: If your washing machine smells less-than-pleasant, you may wonder if it actually is doing its job of cleaning your clothing. Odors occur more often with front-loading machines because the door seals when closed. Too much detergent and liquid fabric softener buildup are usually the root cause. The good news is, it can usually be cleaned with products designed for this purpose. Morehouse Appliances carries products made to remove the buildup that is holding moisture and causing the odor. You should also leave the door ajar when not in use to allow the washer to breath.
Washing Machine Wobbles: While we’re on the subject of washing machines, if yours wobbles it can make a lot of noise and won’t spin your clothes efficiently. Sometimes, it’s because not all the feet of the washing machine are solidly on the floor. You can fix this by rotating the legs and lifting or lowering each corner until it is straightened. A small level can help you ensure this. Another reason your machine may be wobbling is that the load isn’t even. Open the lid, and move the laundry around so it’s evenly distributed in the machine. If that doesn’t solve the issue it might be time to call Morehouse, there could be a problem with the machine. Not fixing the problem could lead to more expensive repairs in the long run.
Gas Stove Ignitor Concerns: If you have a gas stove, there will likely come a time when you hear the ignitor clicking, but the burner doesn’t light. If that happens, the first thing to do is ensure your burner cap is in the proper position. This can also happen if you’ve had water boil over or a spill recently. Wait for it to dry out and then try again. If that isn’t the problem, removing the burner cap and cleaning the cap and base can sometimes fix the problem. You can also use a small wire brush or steel wool to carefully clean the ignitor post. If cleaning doesn’t help, you can call Morehouse and we’ll check it out for you.
Refrigerator Ineffective or Inefficient: The point of a refrigerator is to keep your food at a safe temperature, so if you’re noticing that your fridge isn’t as cool as it should be or food seems to be spoiling more quickly, your refrigerator is not cooling properly. Sometimes, your fridge doesn’t require a repair – it just needs a good cleaning, especially the coils. Generally located under the fridge, coils can become clogged by dust and dirt (and if you have pets, pesky fur). It’s good practice to clean them at least yearly, or more often if you have pets. If vacuuming your coils doesn’t seem to help, call Morehouse to get to the bottom of the problem.
Garbage Disposal Issues: Garbage disposals are equipped with an overload trip, so if the unit overheats, jams, runs for too long a period, or experiences any other problem, it may just need to be reset. Ensure the switch is in the “off” position. Locate the reset button on the disposal (usually on the bottom of the unit) and press. If the button does not remain compressed, try again in ten minutes or so. If your disposal is making a humming rather than grinding sound and it’s jammed, you might need to manually turn the blades with the hex key – note, if this is an option, the hex key will have been included with your machine. After turning the blades, press the reset button and it should start working again. If it still doesn’t work, do NOT reach into the system, as that could be extremely dangerous. Stay on the safe side and schedule an appointment with Morehouse.
At Morehouse Appliances, we’re always ready to help you.
If you feel uncomfortable about servicing your appliances yourself at any point, it’s probably a good idea to give Morehouse a call. If you have any questions for us, please feel free to call us at 315.735.6143 and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment with you. We look forward to helping you with all your appliance needs.
Learn more about the different types of dryer venting materials.
Jan 17, 2021
Proper Dryer Venting: Why It's So Important
Clothes dryers are one of the leading causes of residential fires every year in the U.S. Almost half of these fires were caused by "operational deficiency", meaning a dryer and venting system that was not properly maintained. The most common causes of this are improper venting materials such as too much flexible venting being used, crushed venting behind the dryer, lint buildup in the venting system and outdoor wall caps with bird screens (which are not allowed by code) that collect lint and reduce airflow. The reduced airflow prevents the dyer from properly exhausting the steam created by the dying process. If your dryer takes longer than it should to dry, the most likely cause is improper or clogged venting, which is unsafe and costing you up to twice as much to dry your clothes.
Today, the only place flexible venting is permitted is to connect from your dryer to the venting system and may only be a maximum of 8 ft. in length. All other venting should be rigid aluminum vent pipe with a smooth interior. Heavier galvanized pipe and PVC pipe are not allowed as they will not warm up like the aluminum and therefore cause condensation of the steam from the dryer which causes rapid lint build-up.
Learn more about the different types of dryer venting materials.
Rigid aluminum vent pipe a nd elbows:
This is the best venting choice for your dryer. It has a smooth interior that retains fire and smoke and is not easily crushed, and the full four-inch diameter pipe does not promote lint accumulation. This is the only venting approved for use inside walls or other enclosed spaces.
Heavy-duty aluminum transition venting:
This type of venting is to be used between the dryer and connections through walls. New style flexible aluminum venting meets UL 2158A transition venting specifications. Maximum length is eight feet, and this type of venting is not to be used inside walls or other enclosed spaces.
Semi-rigid aluminum venting: This is to be used between the dryer and connections through walls. It has a smooth interior and maintains a four-inch diameter, and the maximum length is eight feet. This style of venting can be difficult to work with since it is easily crushed and does not return to shape. If it gets crushed, it needs to be replaced.
Aluminum flexible venting:
This lightweight aluminum foil venting does not meet new venting requirements and should be replaced.
Plastic flexible venting:
This venting has no fire protection properties and should never be used to vent a dryer.
New Tech That Sizzles - How Air Fryers Are Changing How People Cook
Americans love fried food - but we don't love the additional fat and calories that go along with it. However, new technology is offering a solution that allows you to indulge in the taste of your favorite fried goodies in a much healthier way - air frying.
And, to make it even easier, GE is now offering an oven that has this feature built-in, so you won't have to worry about a separate air fryer unit taking up counter space. When you choose a GE Profile Smart Built-In Convection Single Wall Oven model, you'll enjoy a number of features, including an air frying setting. You can achieve crispy, never greasy fried food results, right in your oven and without the oil.
Learn more about air frying technology from GE and Morehouse.
Want to find out how you can get this great new technology for your home? Click here to learn more about the GE Profile Smart Built-In Convection Single Wall Oven, and then please feel free to give us a call at 315.735.6143, or stop into our store located at 8411 Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford. We'll be glad to help!
See how Hot Air Fry technology circulates heat and air during the cooking cycle to produce crispy, fried foods without the calories.
