Repair or Replace...What's the story?
We are all aware of how vital it is for us to do our part for the well-being of our planet. Landfills are growing rapidly and bulky appliance waste plays a role in this. According to The World Bank, in 2017 Canada's estimated total waste generation was the highest in the world! Canadians generate approximately 36 million tons of garbage a year. The amount of trash produced is expected to rise – as much as 70% by 2050!​
If you currently have a broken appliance, consider repairing it instead of buying new. Washers, dryers, fridges etc. can start to make some pretty scary noises, but just cause they're loud, it doesn't mean it's catastrophic or even expensive to repair! Often there are simple and inexpensive issues that a professional technician can easily assess and correct. Consider these factors before deciding to repair or replace your appliances:
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The cost to repair the appliance will most likely be a small fraction of the replacement cost. That's great for you and the environment!
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​By repairing, you will help minimize the astonishing amount of waste that's rapidly accumulating. By keeping appliances out of landfills we can help keep our air and water safe and clean, keep the number of landfills from multiplying and help keep dangerous substances like refrigerant and insulating foam off our land.
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By keeping your appliances clean and well maintained, they'll save on energy and that'll put money back in your pocket!
refrigerators
These are generally the biggest energy consumer in the house and carry a hefty replacement cost. You can extend the lifetime of your fridge and save money by:
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Cleaning your condenser coils and door gaskets
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Changing filters when required
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Keeping the fridge door closed as much as possible
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Keeping an adequate amount of food in the
fridge to maintain correct temperatures
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Check your doors to ensure they're flush and seal properly
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Ensure your oven is properly calibrated for correct temperatures
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Try to keep the door closed during the entire cooking cycle instead of opening it to see if your food is done
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Keep your oven clean. A clean oven reduces the risk of fire and enhances performance
Ovens are another common high energy consumer known as "heavy-draw" appliances meaning they require a lot of power. It's better for the environment to keep your oven for as long as possible rather than discarding it at the first sign of a problem. To conserve energy and save money:
ovens
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Use soap sparingly. Overuse can destroy the bearings and render it too expensive to repair
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Remove soap build up by running Affresh through the machine monthly
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Use a water softener to prevent mineral build up in the machine
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Use a mesh bag for small items to prevent them from slipping into the drain pump
Water wasters! Front-loading machines are more energy efficient than top-loading ones but the real savings is found in water consumption. Top-loaders use up two-thirds more water than front-loaders. Both will cost you extra if they are not working properly. Taking care of this thirsty appliance will both increase its efficiency and extend its lifetime.
washers
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Use the high-speed spin cycle on your washing machine. This results in less water evaporation and lower drying time
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Follow the load size recommendations in your dryer's care guide or it will take longer to dry
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Use a lower heat setting. It takes longer to dry but actually uses less energy
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Clean your lint trap every cycle. Otherwise, lint will escape and settle in the body of your machine and that’s a huge fire hazard!
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Check your vents and keep them clean!
They contribute a surprising amount to your carbon footprint. On average, households do over 300 loads of laundry per year! Dryers consume enormous amounts of energy--up t0 10 times more power than a washing machine and they emit plenty of greenhouse gas emissions. Save money and reduce the wear and tear on your machine by:
dryers
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Run full loads to reduce the overall number of cycles
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Run your cycles during off peak times
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Avoid the heated dry setting as much as possible. Instead, open the door asap after the cycle ends to increase evaporation
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Clean your dishwasher's spray arm and filter to prevent it from clogging with soap scum, lime scale and food. This will keep your machine running smoothly
Although they may seem to be low energy consumers, they are actually not. They require use of the hot water heater which is an energy guzzler! Try these to save on energy costs:
dishwashers