How To Save Big Money On Fridges, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers

Everyone likes to feel that they have got a bargain when they buy something new, particularly if it’s something expensive like a fridge or washing machine. One tried and tested method is to shop around, and the Internet has taken a lot of the hassle out of this. You can now compare prices at several different retailers from the comfort of your own home. As well as specialist on-line retailers of domestic appliances, most high-street retailers now have an Internet site where you can check their prices.

However, when they are buying a fridge or washing machine, most people only factor in the up-front cost, and don’t think about the cost of the electricity that it takes to run the appliance over its lifetime. And this can add up to a surprisingly large amount. In fact, sometimes the savings from an energy-efficient fridge or other appliance are so great, they will almost cover the cost of buying the appliance in the first place! So when it comes to replacing appliances, you can actually save the most money by buying an energy efficient model.

Take fridges and freezers, which are the hardest working appliance in your home. They are on all day, every day of the year. They can account for a quarter of your electricity bill. If your fridge or freezer isn't energy efficient, you could be paying through the nose. New energy saving fridge freezers use two thirds less energy than other models and can save you up to £45 a year on your bills. So when buying a fridge freezer, you should look for the most energy-efficient.

Dishwashers are now thought to have about the same environmental impact as washing up by hand. They use electricity, but use less water and water heating. The balance is tipped in the dishwasher’s favour if you use an energy saving dishwasher. To run a cycle on an inefficient appliance costs around 16p but to run the same cycle on an energy saving machine will cost you only 9p. A difference of 7p per wash. Energy saving dishwashers use 40 per cent less energy which should equate to around £20 off the average electricity bill each year.

The average washing machine does around 1 wash every weekday, and wastes a very large amount of energy. Buy an energy saving washing machine and you can use a fraction of the energy of old energy-hungry models. Again this can equate to a saving of around £20 from your electricity bill. The same applies to a tumble dryer, where the most energy efficient models will save you around £15 per year over standard models.

Alex Perry is a founder of DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people cut their personal contribution to climate change through providing information and contacts.

Dishwasher Belt – Don't Let It Slip

 

You have an older dishwasher and it's serving you well. Let's make that was serving you well. See, the problem is… fixing it. If your dishwasher has stopped filling or draining all of a sudden or has its moments when it will work and when it won't - check the belt.

The belt connects the motor to the pump using pulleys. When the motor rotates in one direction the pump fills the dishwasher. When the motor rotates in the opposite direction, the pump drains the dishwasher.

If your dishwasher isn't filling or draining at all, the belt could be broken. If your dishwasher occasionally works, the belt is probably stretched and is slipping. Take a closer look at your dishwasher's belt.

The belt is approximately 25 inches long and made of clear or black rubber. The belt is located behind the lower access panel, which is sometimes referred to as a kickplate. Getting to the belt is easy and since you don't have pull the dishwasher out from the wall, this repair won't take long. The only tool you will need is a screwdriver.

Always remember:
It's important to cut the power source to the dishwasher before attempting any repairs. You can unplug the power cord, remove the fuse from the fuse box, or flip the breaker in the circuit breaker panel. After the power is cut, you may continue.

Open the dishwasher door to locate the screws for the access panel. Once the screws are removed, close the door and remove the panel. The old belt will be stretched a bit making it easier to remove. It will slip down off the pulleys. Replacing the belt is not so simple. It will have a much tighter fit.

The easiest way to get a new belt on the pulleys is to put one end of the belt around the pump housing, directly above the pump pulley. Put the other end of the belt around the motor pulley. Carefully roll the belt down the pump housing until it sits properly in place.

Finally you can reattach the access panel and reconnect the power source. Your old dishwasher is back up and ready to go again.

Tyler Anderson is a writer for Total Appliance Parts: Helping you repair your dishwasher and other major appliances. Learn how to repair your own appliance and find parts for your dishwasher, refrigerator and more at EasyApplianceParts.com.