Appliances are a big household investment, and you want to make the most of your purchases. To do that, you need to properly maintain your appliances and know how to avoid costly appliance repairs. According to IBISWorld, the appliance repair industry was worth $5.5 billion in 2022. This booming industry can be helpful when your appliances aren't working properly. Here are three of the most common appliance repairs you should be aware of.

1. Refrigerators

You should make sure that all vents for your refrigerator are unobstructed. Blocked vents will prevent air from circulating properly through the appliance. Refrigeration operates on a system of circulation, so anytime that circulation is blocked it can start to affect the efficiency of the fridge. The appliance will then need to work harder and harder, which will wear it down more quickly and increase the likelihood for appliance repairs.

2. Washing Machines

One of the main things that will wear down a washing machine is overloading the cycles. It's tempting to stuff in as much laundry as possible to get through with your washing more quickly, but in the long run, this causes damage to the appliance. Even heavy-duty washers or high-capacity washers should never be stuffed to the brim. This is similar to revving your engine up every time you crank it. It's unnecessary and causes damage. The washing machine operates on a motor, and the heavier the load of laundry is, the harder that motor must work to agitate the load.

3. Dryers

Dryers often develop problems from blocked vents. The dryer will produce lint, and this lint will be collected in the lint filter. When the lint filter isn't properly cleaned out after every load, that lint will eventually make its way down into the vents. Clogged vents will cause the dryer to work harder and harder, which will result in a shortened lifespan and an increase of appliance repairs.

In addition to wearing out the dryer too soon, clogged vents also cause a huge fire risk for your home. Dryer lint is extremely flammable. The dryer uses electricity and generates heat, so adding in large amounts of flammable dryer lint is a disaster waiting to happen. Keep your lint filters cleaned out after every load to avoid fire risks and prolong your appliance.

As you can see, there are many common appliance issues that can happen in our home. If you find that you need appliance repairs, our team is ready to help. Contact Affordable Appliance Repair today for more information.