Purchasing Appliances and Saving Money

Just a few thoughts from an old pro at repairing appliances and other things. Be very thoughtful and careful about what and where you purchase appliances! Buy from a reputable dealer or a national chain with a good reputation for customer service. Some good examples are the majors like Whirlpool Corporation (Includes Whirlpool, Maytag and Roper also JennAire) , General Electric Corporation (Hotpoint), Electrolux Corp (Frigidaire products) Try to stay with name brands and remember that when you have a problem if they are a US company the chances of obtaining even the smallest of parts is easier if there is an existing parts distribution service associated with the name brand of the appliance you are considering buying. I have experienced many times where I could not procure parts in a timely manner on some foreign brand appliances and there causing undo stress on you and the appliance technician also. It always makes the repair person look inept when he has trouble receiving parts. Not always his fault it usually centers around a brand of appliances without a good parts distribution system. He is doing the best he can. So my advise to you is to do a little research on what your buying and look in a few places online to get reviews and repair histories.

Appliance Repair Made Easy

With no college education and only some basic mechanical skills I can help you repair almost anything. My expertise is in Appliance Service so that is where we will start with other things to come later. Most people will attempt washer and dryer repair so that is where we will start. The most obvious issue is power so before you have a heart attack over your problem check the power first. The breaker box is the first place to start. Always check the breaker by turning it all the way off and then all the way on, a dryer breaker will have a double 30 breaker usually but always a double or in older homes two singles. If it is a washer you can always plug a can opener or hairdryer into the outlet where your appliance is to check for power. The dryer is a little trickier it requires 220 volts for the heating element only so if it runs but wont heat it is either the element or one of the operating thermostats or a thermal limit switch ( from overheating or a stopped up vent). There are many basic systems on each so we will start with the dryer (easiest). Console ( controls) Drum ( clothing goes here) Motor (under the drum drives the drum with a belt). The washer Console ( controls) Water system ( inlet valve and drain pumps and hoses) Motor drives some sort of transmission. The transmission and above that the outer tub and above that the inner tub (holds the clothes).