A recent study by Porch.com found that 32% of homeowners have delayed jobs that need doing in their home for at least a year. When it comes to your home appliances, however, you can’t afford to delay checks and maintenance, or you could be putting yourself in danger. Fortunately, there are many simple tasks that anyone can do without needing to get in a professional company. By keeping on top of these tasks, you will be making sure that your appliances are not only completely safe to use, but also running efficiently, keeping your home life comfortable and efficient.
Clean your furnace flame sensor
If the flame sensor in your furnace isn’t working properly, then your furnace will keep shutting down after you’ve just fired it up. A dirty flame sensor is one of the most common problems with furnaces. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix, and you don’t need to get a specialist in to help. Firstly, you will need to shut down your furnace entirely. Next, you need to open the panel and locate the flame sensor – it is a thin metal rod that is mounted in porcelain, directly in front of the flame jet. You can remove the flame sensor using a simple socket set. Then you are ready to clean the sensor using wire wool or sandpaper. Once you have finished cleaning it, screw it back in using your socket set, and close the panel. Now you are ready to use your heating furnace again.
Using a Multimeter to check wiring
A multimeter is a simple tool that you can use to check the wiring in small appliances. You can get a multimeter online or in most DIY stores. First you should make sure that your appliance is unplugged. Then you should set your multimeter to the lowest ohms setting. Attach some alligator clips to the probes of the multimeter. You should then attach the alligator clips to the terminals that you want to test, such as element leads or cord prongs. You should then turn the knobs on your appliance, or press the buttons as if you were using it normally. You can then read the multimeter. If the ohms reading is low, then the element that you are testing is functioning as it should be. If the ohms reading is higher than 120 or showing o.L (meaning infinity), then the element you are testing is either dirty or defective, and you should get it repaired.
Replacing a plug fuse
The fuses in your appliance plugs won’t last forever and will need changing just like the lightbulbs in your house. Firstly, unscrew the screws on the panel at the back of the plug in an anticlockwise direction. Put these screws in a safe place. The fuse is held in place by two pieces of metal, but you can easily pull it out. You should then replace the fuse with one that has the same amps – this should be marked on the fuse. Lastly, replace the panel on the back of the plug and do the screws up tightly.
You don’t need to call in the experts to do some basic maintenance on your home appliances. Regular checks will make sure that your appliances are always safe and work as they should do, ensuring your home environment is both safe and comfortable throughout the day.
