About Me 0047: maintenance service

Friday, July 20, 2012

Want To Make Home Appliance Repairs? Read On

Sears and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced that the retailer will be working with the EPA to offer recycling services for refrigerators and freezers. Sears is joining the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, an effort to properly and safely take care of appliances that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which destroy ozone and trap greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson stated in the release, "When consumers buy new fridges and freezers from Sears, they can rest assured that the ozone-depleting chemicals in their old appliances will be disposed of properly." Mark Good, the general manager of Sears Home Services, the division of the company that will be in charge of the recycling program, made a similar statement. "Sears Home Services is excited about being the first retailer to partner with the EPA in its Responsible Appliance Disposal Program." He continued by explaining that Sears led the industry in developing energy-efficient appliances so the recycling program was a "natural extension of that."

The RAD program will ensure that refrigerants and other chemicals involved in the foam that insulates refrigerators and freezers will be recovered in a safe manner that will prevent CFCs and HFCs from escaping and damaging the environment. Additionally, the RAD program will also recycle or dispose of other substances that may be harmful if released, such as mercury, oil, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are known carcinogens that do not break down naturally in the environment.

The RAD program is just one of several partnerships between the EPA and retailers and manufacturers to protect the ozone layer. Another program is the GreenChill Program, which is a partnership with the supermarket industry to adopt new advanced refrigeration technologies. The goals of the GreenChill program are much the same as the RAD program, in that CFCs, HFCs and greenhouse gases may be mitigated through safer handling and more responsible stewardship. CFCs can break down the ozone molecule, which in turn allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth. The increased UV rays increase the incidence of skin cancer, as well as harming crops and marine life.

The EPA estimates that over ten million refrigerators and freezers are disposed of every year. The RAD partnership hopes to take care of at least one million of those. In addition to refrigerators and freezers, window air-conditioning units and dehumidifiers also contain ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The EPA is inviting other businesses to join the RAD program, offering assistance in recycling technologies as well as recognition for the effort.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Monday, July 16, 2012

Adding Designer Touches In Affordable Ways

Do you leave the house with the dishwasher running? Have you ever stepped outside to do some gardening while your clothes were in the wash? Most of us don't think about home appliance safety on a daily basis, but you might change your tune once you really think about how often your home appliances are running.

According to MSNBC, 1.6 million Maytag refrigerators have been recalled by the manufacturer for electrical problems. The Maytag recall follows "41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition", sixteen of which have resulted in various degrees of property damage.

Refrigerators are not the only home appliances that can malfunction and cause serious damage and injury. The Maytag refrigerator recall simply reminds homeowners about home appliance safety and encourages consumers to think about the types of products they use in their homes.

Unfortunately, however, refrigerators must run constantly in order to be effective, unlike washing machines and coffee pots and dishwashers that can be monitored while in use. After all, you have to leave your home sometime, so what does good home appliance safety entail?

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regardless of how long you have owned your appliances, regular cleaning and maintenance is essential. Home appliance safety requires that you follow a rigorous maintenance schedule even if there are no visible problems. Furnaces, for example, should be cleaned and checked for problems each fall before the cold weather sets in.

Many home appliances offer suggested maintenance schedules if you bother to read the owner's manual. Make a habit of scanning the literature for home appliance safety tips each time you buy a new product. That way, you're always on top of things.

Changing Components

Home appliance safety also requires that you change the necessary components on a regular basis, even if you don't use the product often. Filters, batteries, lint traps and other temporary components can cause serious damage when worn.

Of course, this won't solve all problems, as the electrical issues involved in the Maytag recall were not attributed to temporary components. However, this can save lives and extend the lifespan of your home appliances.

Reasons for Disconnection

When practicing home appliance safety, it is a good idea to watch for signs that the product should be disconnected. For example, with the Maytag recall, the refrigerator should have been disconnected immediately upon notice of smoke or sparks.

This also includes leaks, strange noises and odd smells you notice in home appliances. After you've disconnected the appliance, you can have the equipment serviced to see if a serious problem is present.

Unsafe Products

Most home appliances can only be used in specific situations. For example, you should never operate a microwave with a metal dish or dry a piece of clothing stained with flammable fluid. Similarly, space heaters should not be placed next to rugs or curtains that could easily catch fire, or burn green wood in a fireplace.

Get in the habit of knowing home appliance safety for every piece of equipment in your home, and don't hesitate to call the manufacturer if you have any questions. And if you have purchased a refrigerator included in the Maytag recall, make sure it is promptly disconnected and returned to the store.

Sources:

MSNBC, Maytag recalling 1.6 million refrigerators

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