What to Do if You Blow a Fuse Every Time You Plug an Appliance

Appliances are crucial to many aspects of modern life. One thing that most appliances have in common is that they require electricity to operate. When you plug in an appliance, you'll sometimes be met with a blown fuse. If this happens multiple times in a row, it's important to stop and evaluate the situation. Here are a few steps you need to take if you have to replace multiple fuses when trying to plug in an appliance.

Stop What You're Doing

Dealing with blown fuses can be frustrating. In some cases, you may be tempted to try and push through the problem by continuing to do what you've already been doing. However, continuing to plug in your appliance when fuses are blowing is a recipe for trouble. That's why it's important to immediately stop what you're doing so that you can take stock of the situation with a clear head. Continuing to take the same action will lead to wasted fuses, potential appliance damage, and an increased fire risk.

Check for Shorts

One thing to check if fuses continue to blow is the electrical cord on the appliance. It should be in good working order with no nicks, exposed wires, or corroded prongs. If possible, you'll also want to check the other electrical components of the appliance to make sure they're undamaged. If you notice something unusual about one of the electrical components, it could be that this component is causing a short, resulting in the multiple blown fuses you've experienced.

Check the Circuit

Another item every electrical contractor will say that you definitely want to inspect if you're constantly blowing fuses is the circuit itself. Appliances can draw a lot of power. If they're on a circuit with other devices, they may overload the circuit and blow the fuse. Even if other devices aren't plugged into the same outlet as the appliance that's causing problems, there may still be other devices on the same circuit via other outlets. Overloading a circuit can cause the wires to overheat and lead to an electrical fire. This is why the fuse blows before this has a chance to happen.

Contact a Professional

If you've gone through the above steps and you're still having problems, don't hesitate to call a professional. Electrical repair work can quickly become overwhelming and dangerous if you don't know exactly what you're doing. By calling in a pro, you'll be able to get fast and safe results that will help you utilize your home's electrical system more effectively.

Moving Forward

Moving forward, it's important to consider ways that you might avoid electrical problems in the future. Aside from hiring an electrician to take care of any electrical upgrades, there are a few other things you can do. For example, you can opt for energy-efficient appliances so that you draw less power and put less strain on your home's electrical system. You can also carefully plan the placement of your appliances so that you can be sure they're operating on different circuits. With some advance planning, you'll be an appliance pro in no time.

Signs That Your Refrigerator Is in Fact Not Running

Dealing with a broken refrigerator is a major pain, especially during bad weather when you can't necessarily get out of the house to buy food or call for delivery service. Knowing both the subtle and the more obvious signs that your refrigerator is starting to fail can help you to take care of the damage before the appliance totally breaks and you lose a fridge-worth of food.

Unusual Noises

While refrigerators do make some level of noise, you need to know what's normal and what's not. Pay attention to any changes in the noise patterns of your refrigerator. Also, be aware of any unusual sounds. Of course, do check to ensure that the sound is not easily solvable. For example, some people don't realize that their refrigerators beep when left open for too much until the first time this situation occurs. When you buy a new refrigerator, ask about this feature so that you aren't startled.

Warm Food

Warm food inside of your refrigerator is a sure sign that the appliance is not cooling properly. For example, if you take the meat out of the freezer, that food should be frozen. If the food is simply a bit chilly or warm in any way, then either your fridge isn’t running or something is wrong with it. Once you become aware of how warm your food is, it’s probably best to throw it out as soon as you can. Since the food wasn’t being kept cold and depending on how long that was the case, it’s very easy for you to get sick should you try to eat it. After that, it’s important that you call for sub zero refrigerator repair right away.

Strange Smells

Of course, rotting food could lead to an unusual smell in the refrigerator, as could failing to clean it regularly. However, a device could also be malfunctioning. You might, for example, smell smoke or electrical burning coming from the fridge. These situations are serious and potentially deadly. You must call the emergency services and get yourself, your family, and your pets out of the house.

Tripped Breaker

A refrigerator is supposed to be on a dedicated line in the house. A variety of reasons exist as to why the breaker that the appliance is on could trip. However, you should have the issue checked out by both an electrician and an appliance repair person. By doing so, you can make sure that no issues exist with the breaker, the electricity in the house, or the refrigerator itself. If this issue keeps happening, however, you will need to hire professionals who can investigate further.

Your refrigerator is a critically important appliance in the house. Without this appliance, you won't be able to keep the food you need for the week cold or properly feed yourself or your family. Thus, you want to respond as soon as you notice a problem might exist, as the sooner you notice the less time your food has to go bad and the problem has to get worse.

How to Determine if My Freezer Needs a Repair Service

A freezer serves as one of the most important appliances in a household. However, it will eventually need to be repaired due to natural wear and tear. In some cases, it may need to be replaced altogether.

One way to help your freezer last longer is to maintain it on a regular basis. Maintaining your freezer will add several years to its lifespan, allowing you to save money in the process. 

If you have noticed an issue with your freezer then you should evaluate the situation in order to determine the source of the problem. If you are not able to repair the issue yourself then you may want to contact a professional in the area. Here, our focus will be on how to determine if your freezer needs a repair service.

What is the importance of refrigerator maintenance?

If you want your freezer, or any other appliance for that matter, to remain in good working condition then you will need to maintain it on a routine basis. Perform rudimentary maintenance checks every now and then to determine if there are any minor issues that can be taken care of as soon as possible.

Problems often begin small but become bigger issues as time passes, so it’s best to nip such problems in the bud. You will save hundreds of dollars over the long run by performing regular maintenance checks, as seemingly minor repairs can make a significant difference.

Tips to Keep Your Fridge in Good Condition

Refrigerators are very common appliances that have become a staple in the modern North American household. They are also left on 24/7 in most cases. If a seamless operation is your end goal then your fridge should be kept in tiptop condition.

You can save quite a bit of money on repair costs and energy expenditure by performing basic maintenance checks and repairs when you have some free time.

Begin with a coil cleanup. Your condenser coils will accumulate dust over time. When this happens your fridge’s efficiency will take a hit. You should pull your fridge away from its supporting wall at least once every six months in order to expose its coils.

Proceed to unplug your fridge before vacuuming the coils using a brush attachment. The temperature of your fridge should also be optimal if you don’t want to run into any problems down the line. Your freezer should be kept at 0 degrees, while your fridge’s temperature should range between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal performance.

You should also examine the gasket. A gasket that isn’t sealed properly will allow cold air to escape. Your fridge will then need to work harder in order to maintain the ideal temperature, leading to extra energy costs.

You should examine the gasket once a month to check for wear and tear problems. You should also keep it clean by using some warm water and soap. If you notice that your gasket is cracked or damaged then you should replace it as soon as possible.

You should also inspect the seals on the fridge door as often as you can. If the seals are loose then cold air will escape, forcing your fridge to go into overdrive mode to maintain the perfect internal temperature.

Your seals should be cleaned twice a year in order to remove the food residue and other gunk that has stuck to their surfaces. Simply create a baking soda/water mix and use an old toothbrush in order to clean your seals.

A good way to determine the tightness of your seals is to try the dollar bill trick. Simply insert a dollar bill into the fridge door so that half of it is inside and the other half is out. Then, pull the bill out. If the bill slips out easily then your seals may be loose. 

Contact a professional asap if you notice that your seals are loose. You should also change your filters in order to keep your water dispenser and ice maker clean. Always remember to keep your fridge door closed tightly to save the motor from having to work extra hard to keep the unit cool. 

Your refrigerator should also stay level at all times. Otherwise, the doors may not seal or close completely which will place an added strain on the unit’s motor. In order to check your fridge’s position, you can use a levelling tool.

Common Indicators That Your Refrigerator Needs Repair

If you notice a sudden fluctuation in temperature then your fridge may need to be repaired. Any vibrating or buzzing noises coming from the unit should also be investigated by a professional.

If you notice condensation forming, then your refrigerator may be defective. Coil overheating is another serious issue that should be rectified sooner rather than later if you want to salvage the unit.

Moreover, you should check your freezer to see if ice is accumulating. If it is, then you may want to call an electrician or plumber. Perhaps the biggest telltale sign that something is amiss with a freezer is spoiled food.

The technician will examine the unit from top to bottom in order to identify the source of the food and beverage spoilage.

Taking the First Step

If you are having issues with your refrigerator then you should call a qualified technician to investigate. They have the tools and expertise needed in order to repair your refrigerator.

If you want your fridge to last for several years without any major failures, then having a maintenance plan on hand is a must. 

Sources:

A Guide To Refrigerator Maintenance | Home Matters | AHS

5 Keys to Refrigerator Maintenance | Real Simple

Common Home Appliance Problems and Their Solutions

4. Home appliances like washing machines and microwaves are incredibly helpful for day-to-day life. However, homeowners may experience frustration, inconvenience, and horrifying visions of soaking their clothes in an outdoor tub when they stop working.

Some machine malfunctions require professional assistance, and sometimes they even need to be replaced. However, in most cases, you can solve many appliance problems on your own. Here are five common home repairs you can do yourself.

1. Gas Range Won’t Light

You won’t have this problem if your kitchen has an electric range. However, homeowners with a gas stove are commonly faced with this issue. They can smell the gas coming out, but there’s no fire. 

A quick solution is to use a match to light the gas by hand. However, be careful as excess amounts can cause a large flame. The long-term solution is surprisingly simple – in most cases, taking the stove apart and thoroughly cleaning it will fix the issue. 

2. Dishwasher Isn’t Cleaning Properly

Dishwashers are supposed to save you time by cleaning your dishes so you don’t have to. If they stop working, you may find yourself doing double dish duty – putting them through the machine and then rewashing them because they’re still greasy. 

Check to make sure none of the parts in your dishwasher are broken. Important components to examine include the circulation pump and the wash arm, which sits underneath the dishes. If you notice any leaking, contact a professional right away. 

3. Thermostat Isn’t Functioning

Thermostats give you access to easy temperature control in your home. This keeps you comfortable and protects your house and possessions from overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter. Your thermostat can also give you clues about how well your AC unit is functioning. 

If you notice your home’s temperature doesn’t seem to match the numbers on your thermostat, it may be broken. Change the batteries and clean the thermostat to see if that makes a difference. You can also move it to see if it reads more accurately in another space. If resetting doesn’t seem to work, it’s time to call a professional.

4. Washing Machine Smells Bad

As every homeowner can attest, the washing machine may be the single greatest invention ever designed by man. However, you may find one day that it smells anything but clean. This odor likely comes from mold that grows around the seal on front-loading machines. 

You can usually eradicate the mold if you run a hot water cycle, clothes-free, with a cleaning tablet inside your machine. Lower the chances of mold development by keeping the door open when it’s not in use. You can also wipe the seal to reduce excess water. 

5. Power Outlet Doesn’t Work

Modern homes have outlets all over the place and are designed to charge many electric devices at once. However, the amount of electricity you can use at once is limited. Your breaker will shut off the outlet if that's exceeded to prevent overload and a potential fire. 

If your power outlet isn’t working, you may have tripped the breaker, and the outlet has turned itself off. This is most common in the bathroom, although it can happen in your kitchen as well. Try unplugging all devices and hitting the red “reset” button. If it still doesn’t work, you can also try resetting the switch on your home’s main electrical panel. 

Home Appliance Maintenance

Use these five tips to help keep your home running to its full potential. If all attempts to fix an appliance fail, you can always replace the device or call a professional. Keep your machines clean and, if applicable, replace batteries regularly. 

Appliances do eventually wear out. However, you can keep them running well for much longer with regular maintenance and care.