Category: dryer

How to Fix Three Common Dryer Problems

Posted on by info@techreach.io

Do you want to know how you can fix your dryer without professional help? We tell you what you can do to get your appliance working again.

Buying a dryer makes the life of a lot of people easier. Do you live in a small apartment where you can’t hang your clothes to dry? A dryer will help you to clear your chairs, radiators and other furniture from your wet clothes. Nowadays, dryers come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll find one that fits your needs. But what if you invested in a new appliance and then it suddenly stops working?

First of all, don’t panic. You don’t need to call a technician immediately, as you can try to solve the problem without help. Secondly, read this article to figure out what to do if your dryer doesn’t run properly or makes a weird noise.

In case you decide that you can’t handle the problem yourself, we are here for you. Our technicians work late (daily from 8 am to 10 pm), use genuine parts and we offer up to one-year warranty on parts and services. Feel free to call us: +1 (289) 801-7857 / +1 (888) 513-0052 / +1 (647)-558-5825 or schedule an appointment online through our contact form. We are happy to help you with dryer repair or installation.

Problem 1: Dryer Doesn’t Run Properly

If you turn on your dryer but it doesn’t run properly and won’t heat up at all, the problem might be that the thermal fuse is blown. To test if that’s the case, you need to find the thermal fuse (usually it’s behind the rear panel or the bottom toe panel) and test it with an Ohmmeter. If the meter moves to 0, you’ll need to replace the thermal fuse.

The reason for a blown thermal fuse can often be found as a result of overloading the machine, a clogged ventilation or lint screen.

Problem 2: Clothes Are Not Dry

Firstly, before you thinking of a bigger problem, you should answer this question: Did you overload your dryer? If so, you could run a short cycle to make sure all the clothes get dry. If that is not the case, the heating element might be the problem. Dryers are still able to finish a full drying cycle, even with a broken heating element, which makes it hard to identify the problem. To change it, you’ll need the right part for your appliance by using the model number. Then you can remove the back panel and the connections to replace the heating element. Finally, run a test cycle to figure out if the clothes get dry.

By the way: To make the heating element last longer, you shouldn’t overload your appliance and make sure to clean the lint screen regularly.

Problem 3: Dryer Makes Weird Noises

There are many possible reasons if your dryer makes weird noises: It could be a damaged drive belt, a worn-out drum roller or drum roller axle, an object that blocks the blower wheel, a faulty drum bearing or other worn-out parts.

Check the parts in and around your drum to figure out if one of them is the reason for the noise. If needed, replace the faulty part to make the dryer run properly again.

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

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Are you aware of the carbon footprint that comes from using your appliances at home? Here are some tips on how you can decrease your energy consumption in your household.

When we’re talking about climate change, we all have one question lined up: How can we contribute to saving the planet from a climate catastrophe?

As we all know, there are many ways of reducing our carbon footprint. For example, we can try to avoid traveling by plane and take the train as often as possible. Furthermore, we can eat less meat and try to buy regional and seasonal groceries. But how can we decrease our carbon footprint in the household?

As we are living in the 21st, we all have appliances at home that consume energy. As helpful as they are, these appliances leave a carbon footprint as well. But we have some tips for you on how you can decrease their energy usage easily.

1. Make Your Heater More Efficient

Did you know that the oil and gas industry is the biggest emitter in Canada when it comes to carbon emissions? Of course, you can blame big companies for that and ask them to adapt to more sustainable fuel options. But it might be easier to start at your home first as also small changes in your own household can make a change  We already have put together some tips for you on how you can make your heater more efficient.

If you are noticing that your heating system uses a lot of energy, you can always contact one of our technicians. You’ll find the contact details here.

2. Turn Your Appliances Off to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

To reduce the carbon footprint of your appliances, you should make sure that all your appliances are completely turned off when they are not in use. This goes for TVs, stereos, and computers. It’s also important to unplug your appliances, such as mobile phones or laptops, once they are fully charged as they will otherwise waste energy.

Need help with the installation of a new washing machine? Our technicians are happy to help!

3. Switch to A Renewable Energy Provider

Around 17 % of Canada’s total primary energy supply comes from renewable energy sources. You can support green electricity and natural gas companies by switching the provider in your home. As this might be a bit pricier for your home than it was before, you could start by doing one thing at a time, for example by only purchasing green electricity at first.

4. Replace Old Appliances for a Lower Carbon Footprint

If you are a proud owner of a vintage washing machine, your time to say goodbye to your appliance might have come. Old appliances use a lot of energy and should, therefore, be replaced if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. A new washing machine can use 25 percent less energy up to 75 percent less water compared to your 20-year-old washing machine. Furthermore, by increasing appliance efficiency standards, you’ll not only save energy but also money on your utility bill.

5. Install Smart Home Technology

If your devices and appliances can connect to the internet, they are called smart technology. On the one hand, it can be convenient for you to have such things. On the other hand, they can help you with saving energy at home by monitoring the usage. Click here if you want to know more about it.  

How Long is The Lifespan of Your Appliance?

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What’s the lifespan of each appliance in your household? This article tells you how long you can expect your washer, fridge or dryer should last.

Are you in the process of buying some new appliances for your home? Before spending a lot of money on an appliance, it can be interesting to know how long you can expect it to last. Or maybe you need to replace one of your appliances and you are wondering if it’s worth buying a used appliance such as a washing machine that is almost five years old?

That’s why we have decided to write this article on the lifespan of different appliances. You will find out how many years a dryer should last and after what time you might have to replace the range hood in your kitchen.

Anyhow, if one of your appliances stops working, we encourage you to have it checked up before giving up on it. Our experienced technicians might find a way to repair your stove or the beloved microwave that has never failed you before. You can contact us online or by calling +1 (888) 513-0052 or +1 (289) 801-7857 during our office hours (Mon – Sun from 8 am – 10 pm).

Furthermore, there is one reason why you shouldn’t be too disappointed if you need to replace your appliance. New appliances cost a lot in the beginning, but they have a much lower energy consumption compare to old appliances.

What Factors Influence the Lifespan of Appliances?

Many different factors influence the lifespan of your appliance, such as the brand and the quality or how often you use it. Furthermore, it is important to clean your appliance and maintain it regularly.

Lifespan of Dishwashers

The dishwasher in your kitchen can last up to 12 years. Newer dishwashers have the benefit of using less water and energy. They are also more efficient in the way they are designed.

Lifespan of Washing Machines

On average, a washing machine should be replaced after 11 and 15 years these days. Having that said, older washing machines that were manufactured a few centuries ago might still be working. But as mentioned before, they use a lot more energy than newer models.

Lifespan of Dryers

The average dryer lasts between 10 and 13 years. There are many things that you can do to extend its lifespan, for example by cleaning the lint trap regularly.

Lifespan of Fridges

Your fridge should last about 13 years before it needs to be replaced. Have a look at these tips on how you can expand the lifespan of a fridge as we have collected them in an earlier blog post.

Lifespan of HVAC Appliances

You can expect your heating, ventilation or air conditioning system in your household to last for a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. On average, air conditioning units will last a bit shorter, between 10 and 15 years. Nevertheless, all of these appliances require regular maintenance to keep working efficiently and to expand their lifespan.

Lifespan of Stoves / Ovens

The stove and oven in your kitchen should last around 10 to 15 years. After that time, you might experience problems with the bake element or the control board.

Lifespan of a Microwave

Nowadays, microwaves last for around seven years, depend on the usage. If used a lot without being cleaned and maintained properly, a microwave might need to be replaced after around five years already.

Our Tip: Save Up Before your Appliance Break

It is always good to be prepared if you know that your appliance comes towards the end of their lifespan. Therefore, you should make sure to have some money on the side so you can afford a new appliance immediately after the old one gave up!

Should I Buy a Dryer?

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Are you torn between the decision if you need a dryer or if it’s the better solution for you to keep hanging your clothes up on a line? Maybe this article can help you to make up your mind.

When you are moving into an unfurnished apartment or a new house, you’ll sooner or later face the question of what appliances you want to buy. 

Why Would I Want to Buy a Dryer?

Well, there are some pros and cons. As we want you to be able to make up your mind yourself, we have listed some of them for you.

Let’s start with the pros:

  • A dryer allows you to wash clothes whenever you want without having to worry if there will be enough time for them to dry.
  • Say goodbye to the clothesline in your apartment.
  • When drying your clothes with a dryer, it is easier and quicker to iron them.
  • It saves you time and effort, especially if you are washing for the whole family.
  • Especially in winter, it can take a long time until your clothes dry on a clothesline.

And of course, there are some cons:

  • A new dryer can be quite expensive as they cost between $200 and $1,750.
  • Using a dryer will also add up to your electricity bill.
  • When you have limited space, there might not be enough space for another appliance.

Is There Enough Space for a Dryer?

Nowadays, a lot of appliances are smaller than they used to be while their features have expanded. So, if you have limited space, a compact machine that is built into a corner of the kitchen could be the ideal solution for you.

You could also decide to go for a washing machine that has a dryer included. If you are unsure, which appliance would fit your needs, keep on reading, as we will give you some advice in the next chapter.

Which Dryer Should I Buy?

If you decide to buy a dryer, you will need to decide which kind of appliance you want to buy.

Depending on how many people are living in your household, you might want to go for a bigger or smaller appliance. The capacity for the dryer refers to the weight of dry clothes, and not when they come out wet from the washing machine.  Keep that in mind when choosing a size.

Furthermore, you can choose between a gas or an electric dryer. This decision can be easy if you don’t have a gas supply to your house – then you’ll have to go for an electric dryer. But gas dryers can be handy as they heat up faster and can, therefore, dry your clothes quicker. Also, depending on your local rates, gas is often cheaper.

Do You Need Help with the Dryer Installation?

Have you decided that a dryer would be a useful addition to your household? Well done! 

And the good news is that dryers have a lifespan of between 10 to 13 years, so you probably won’t have to buy a new one any time soon. So, if you are deciding to purchase a dryer, you can contact us if you need help with the dryer installation. Our licensed technicians work late and have experience with installing and repairing appliances such as vented dryer, condensing dryer, heat pumped dryer and washer-dryers.

Contact us online or call +1 (888) 513 0052 or +1 (289) 801 7857 to schedule an appointment!

 

How to Install a Washer or Dryer

Posted on by info@techreach.io

You finally saved up in enough to buy a washer or dryer for yourself? Great! Soon you will see that doing your laundry becomes a lot less stressful than before. But before you can actually take advantage of your new appliance, you’ll need to install it.
We created this step-by-step guide to make it easy for you to install your electric dryer or washer. Anyhow, we do not recommend installing a gas dryer if you are not familiar with gas. It can be very dangerous for a rookie who doesn’t know how to detect and fix a leak. Also, keep in mind that you will be working with high-voltage when installing an electric dryer.

If you are not sure if you should really do the installation yourself, you can always call us (+1 (289) 801-7857) or contact us online to book an appointment with one of our experienced technicians on the same day.

Before installing your new washer or dryer

  • Install cold and hot water-lines if you are installing the appliance at a new place in your house.
  • Find the right place in your house and get help when placing the washer or dryer to their position. Be careful that you don’t hurt yourself when doing it. The appliance can be quite heavy.
  • Turn the electricity off before you start installing your appliances.

 

How to Install a Washer

Step 1: Connect the hoses

Firstly, you need to attach the hoses of the washer to the outlets. Make sure that you assign the hoses to the correct hot and cold connection. A lot of modern washers have some water-suppression valves. Read how to connect them in the manual of the appliance.

Step 2: Install the pipes

Connect the pipe to your laundry sink, in case you have one. Otherwise, you will have to use a standpipe (you can either get from a store or build it yourself) that you then attach to your drain system. In case you use a standpipe, you will also have to install a p-trap that protects you from dangerous gases.

Step 3: Turn on the washing machine

The last step is to turn your washer on to test if there are any leaks. Plug the appliance and look out for water on the floor. Well done, if you can’t find any – that means you have done a great job!

 

How to Install an Electric Dryer

Step 1: Reassure that the Power is Turned Off

Once again, make sure the electricity is turned off for the area that you’re working in.

Step 2: Install the Prong Cord

You should either have a three- or four-prong cord in your house. In case you have a four-prong cord, connect each wire with the matching color. The green ground wire should be attached to the dryer’s green screw. As the last step, look out that no copper strap or green wire is running from the ground to the white wire.

In case you have a three-prong cord, you have to connect the red wire from the dryer with one of the wires that are outside. The other wire from the outside has to get connected to the black wire. Last but not least you connect the wire in the center to the white wire from the dryer as well as to the ground strap.

Step 3: Hook up the vent hose & test the appliance

As a last step of the installation, you need to attach the vent hose to the duct and the port of the dryer. To do that, use the hose clamps.
The dryer is now installed. Turn the power back on and test if the appliance actually works.