Tips and help
A simple help page full of tips about appliances!
What is the most common problem?
Believe it or not, an appliance can be bumped or "hum" itself unplugged. We find this to be common when we go on washer repair calls.Why do prices of similar appliances vary so much?
Retail prices for major household appliances have stayed flat over the past 15 years even though manufacturing costs and inflation have risen steadily during that time. Manufacturers today continue to offer low prices on their lower quality appliances and then offer their choice lines of appliances at a higher price point.So, where $400 would buy you a top-quality washer 15 years ago, that same $400 today would only buy you a low-end machine that you'll be throwing away or repairing every three to four years. What has changed? The difference between the $400 washer of today and yesterday (or the $300 dishwasher or the $350 oven range, or the $300 dryer, or the $600 refrigerator, etc.) is in the internal components used in the machines. The lower end machines today are constructed of lower quality materials than similarly-priced machines 15 years ago. In part, this is attributable to the globalization of manufacturing with various internal parts made at different plants all over the world. While this has allowed manufacturers to cap retail prices for low-end machines over the last 15 years, it has also contributed to a degradation of quality. Therefore, the high-quality appliances you'd buy today command a correspondingly higher price tag – realistically reflecting the increased costs of manufacturing for high quality machines. You should expect top-end dishwashers to retail for approximately $900, washers $1,100, dryers $600, etc.
Is repairing or servicing an old appliance really a good investment?
When asking "How much is a new one?," you need to consider both the quality of appliance you can afford as a replacement and the option of having your existing appliance properly repaired by a competent professional. Signature Appliance can diagnose and evaluate your appliance to determine if it's in your best interest to repair or replace it and make a recommendation accordingly. Also, another cost associated with buying a new appliance is the "aggra-dollars." That is, the aggravation and time spent that goes along with shopping for a new appliance—having it delivered, getting it installed and disposing of your old one. If you've experienced this joy recently, you'll realize that the aggra-dollar factor can be a very significant cost.Should I repair or replace my existing appliance?
If you are comparing having your existing machine repaired or replacing it with a machine that is comparable in price with what you paid for your machine 10 or so years ago, you will not be making a valid comparison. The equipment is neither similar in quality nor durability for the same price. If you were to merely replace your existing household appliance with one that costs about what you paid a decade ago, you'll be repairing or junking the new machine every three to four years. You'll either have to pay more up front for a new, high-quality machine that will give you another 10 years of trouble-free operation or you pay less up front for a low-end machine and then pay-as-you-go for repairs.I bought a new refrigerator/freezer and I was planning to move my old one out to the garage and use it for additional cold storage space. Will it damage the unit if I store it in the garage?
Only if it is a self-defrosting refrigerator and the temperature in your garage drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, it is possible that the oil could thicken and cause premature compression failure.I have an old refrigerator/freezer that doesn't work anymore, and I need to get rid of it. What can I do?
The best option is to take it to your local landfill. However, the law does require that you have the refrigerant evacuated first. Your local appliance repair company should be able to do that for you.Can I put my refrigerator all the way up against the wall?
Yes you can, as long as there is not a metal grid on the back of it. If there is, you should make sure you leave 1” of space between the unit and the wall.Why would my washer be using cool water during the warm cycle?
Your washer is actually combining hot water and cold water to create the warm water and during certain times of the year cold water gets colder. So, during the colder months, you can expect your warm cycle to run cooler. You might also want to check to see if there is anything blocking the hot water coming into your machine.Why do I have suds left over in my washer after I am done washing a load of clothes? Do I need my washer repaired?
It is very possible that you are using more detergent than is necessary for the load size you are washing. Double check the detergent instructions to ensure you are using the correct amount.Why does my gas oven glow like it is hot, even when it is not heating? Do I need my oven repaired?
The glow is caused by a “glow-bar” igniter that is used to ignite the gas in your oven. It glows as it is heating up, but unless it reaches the correct temperature, the gas valve will not open and the gas will not ignite. Therefore, your oven will not heat up. If your igniter is not heating up to the proper temperature, you may need to replace it.What makes my oven smell so bad when it is cleaning itself?
The smell is caused by the grease and food that your oven is burning off. When possible, it is a good idea to create additional ventilation in the kitchen when cleaning your oven, perhaps by opening windows and/or doors.What is the average amount of time it takes for a load of clothes to dry?
On average, a large load of clothes should only take around 45 minutes to dry completely. If you are noticing that your clothes are averaging more than 1 hour to dry, you might want to have your dryer vent system checked.Is it bad to use softener sheets?
Softener sheets won't cause any damage to your dryer, but they can lead to clogged lint filters or the coating of your moisture sensor. If you use them, be sure to periodically clean the screen of your lint filter and wipe off your sensor.Still have questions? To be connected to your local Signature Appliance service technician call 423-443-5993.