4 Ways To Recycle Your Appliances

Household appliances are becoming more and more innovative and in turn, offer homeowners many incentives to upgrade their current appliances for more energy and environmentally friendly options.

However, when it comes time to replace your old appliances it’s important that you recycle them sustainably. Recycling your appliances properly will avoid toxic chemicals going into landfills and the environment and contributing to environmental problems. In addition, new appliances take more resources to make, as there are more parts to them such as metals, plastics, shipping costs therefore; you should try to hold off on replacing older appliances as long as possible.

Here are the best four options to properly recycle your appliances:

1.     Recycling Services – There are now numerous different companies that specialize in recycling old appliances and know how to dispose of them efficiently and properly. There is likely one close by you that you can contact and set-up a time to discuss pickup and have your old appliances removed from your home. These services usually do come at a minimal cost however depending on your location may be able to find a complimentary service. Having a recycling service company pickup your old appliances keeps them out of landfills and avoids them harming our environment.

2.     Donate Your Appliances – If your old appliances are still in working condition you may want to consider donating them to someone who is in need. This way, someone in need who cannot afford a new appliance can benefit from it. Companies such as Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army have regular pick-ups or drop-off times where you can have your appliance donated to a family in need. If you choose to donate your appliances its best to ensure that you clean it thoroughly and all the parts are in tact.

3.     Sell Your Appliances – There are plenty of online websites where you can advertise your working or non-working appliances for sale. Selling your appliances online may be a good option whether they’re working or not as you can put that money towards your new appliances. Many people look for items such as these to find a good deal or re-purpose the parts.

4.     Utility Recycling Programs - Many companies are now offering incentive programs for those recycling old or inefficient appliances. These programs have been created to encourage customers to upgrade to new appliances by offering rebates or discounts when they drop-off an old appliance. This is a great way to get rid of your old appliances while getting a reduction on the price of your new ones.

Remember, if your getting rid of an old appliance to ensure that your are recycling or disposing properly to avoid harming the environment!

Maintenance Tips For Your Laundry Machine

Your laundry machine provides you with an easy, efficient, and frequent way to clean the laundry in your household. As one of the most frequently used appliances, it’s important that you follow certain maintenance practices to keep your laundry machine in tip-top-shape!

As the experts on appliance repairs, here are our tips on how to maintain your laundry machine effectively:

Check the water-fill hoses:

It’s inevitable that over time and with use that the water hoses in your laundry machine will wear down, leak, or burst. To prevent this from happening and having water damage to your laundry room, we suggest that you check the water hose every so often for any signs of wear or weakness.

Some of the things to look out for are: small blisters, cracks, or colour lightening in the hose. We recommend having your water-fill hose replaced every 4 to 5 years to avoid unexpected leaks or bursts.

Ensure the appliance is level:

Rattling, vibrations, and/or shaking are not normal characteristics of a laundry machine.

If your laundry machine is not exactly level, with all four legs on the floor, it may rock back and forth causing these things to happen.

Ensuring that the appliance is level will eliminate any abnormal vibrations, shaking, or excess noises and will help you avoid unnecessary damage to the machine or surrounding items. Depending on the machine you have, there will be different ways to adjust the machine so that it is level. Read the manual and if it is not clear, give one of our experts a call.

Keep it clean:

Your laundry machine is most likely either painted steel or has a porcelain-coated steel cabinet. To clean the surface of your laundry machine, it is safe to use dish detergent and a damp rag. If the surface is porcelain, you can even use a little non-abrasive cleanser for stubborn stains. Keeping the appliance clean is a critical part to ensuring that your laundry machine lasts!

Empty the lint disposal:

All laundry machines collect lint over time. You will find your lint disposal filter near the top of the tub. To empty/clean the lint filter, you can slide it out and clean off we a rinse of water. After you have done this, you can reinsert the filter back into the machine.

Don’t overload the appliance:

Follow the owner’s manual directions for guidance on how much your laundry machine can handle in regards to loading sizes. Oversized loads will damage the machine instantly.

Elite Appliance Service is GTA’s appliance repair specialist. Our skilled technicians can repair all major brands, makes and models and if it's not economically feasible to repair your appliance. Contact us for more information here.

Start The New Year By Saving Money & Energy

Most of the energy used in individual homes is for heating and cooling. During the long and cold winter heating season, there are a number of ways to cut back and save on bills, especially when it comes to your appliances! Elite Appliance wants to provide you with the following tips to save you a few dollars this New Year:

In the washroom

• Sing shorter songs in the shower. The average shower is about eight minutes. Try reducing to five or six
• Install energy-efficient shower heads.
• The best temperature for your water heater is 54 degrees Celsius. That's hot enough for washing, showers and baths, and reduces the risk of scalding.

In the basement

• When you replace your old electric water heater, consider a tankless natural gas water heater as it heats water only as needed.
• Replace the furnace filter every three months (or clean a permanent one). When the filter is dirty, airflow is restricted and the furnace must work harder, requiring more energy.
• Keep vents and air returns free of obstructions. Furniture, dust, or pet hair can block vents, reducing airflow and the efficiency of the furnace.

In the family room

• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, keep the damper closed when not in use. This helps prevent cold outside air from coming down the flue and warm inside air rising out of it.
• If you purchase a natural gas fireplace, consider a direct vent model. It uses outside air for combustion instead of drawing air from the home.

For more information and tips on using your appliances safely and effectively check our other blog posts!