Money Saving Ideas for the Home

… presented by espares…

How To Make The Most of Your New (and Old) Appliances

Now we are officially in the ‘recession’ everyone is thinking of new ways to pinch pennies here and there. Here are some expert tips from spare parts retailer eSpares.co.uk that could save you more than pennies: they could save you hundreds of pounds.

We know that the kitchen is a room which most mealsavers users are rather familiar with, and that the appliances therein cost hundreds to fix or replace. This handy guide will give you some fantastic tips on how to make sure your new appliances have a good lifespan, and will give your older appliances a new lease of life.

Many of the benefits are twofold: expect to make some savings on your energy bills as well.

New Appliances

Lime scale can lead to a significantly shortened lifespan for washing machines. Ensure your new one will last by investing in a neocal anti-limescale device or alternatively run your machine once a month with an anti-limescale cleaner. These are far better than water softening products designed to be used in every wash as, over several years, they can cost more than a new machine
The installation of your washing machine is very important. Check that it is completely level – if a washing machine rocks back and forth during the cycle it can damage the machine and increase the wear on key components
Once installed properly, get the load balance in your machine correct. Over-filling a washing machine can increase wear on the drum. Try not to under-fill either, however, as this wastes energy
Invest in a pair of dryer balls. They have been proven to reduce drying time in tumble dryers by around 25%. You could therefore prolong the lifespan of your dryer as well as saving on energy bills
Make sure that when you take delivery of your new fridge it is positioned properly. If the back of the fridge is positioned too close to a wall air will not be able to circulate properly and your fridge will not work to its capacity. Also, keep the coils at the back of your fridge dust free; dusty coils can increase the running costs by up to 25% and shorten the lifespan of your new fridge.

Older Appliances

Some of the most common issues with ovens can be very easily solved. If your oven isn’t cooking quite so well as it should, try putting a hand near the seal and see if any heat is escaping. If it is, your seal could need replacing. This may sound like a big operation, but oven seals are available from as little as £7.09 and are easily fitted without any specialist knowledge or equipment. It will also mean your oven is working more efficiently and therefore will save you money on your energy bills
If your heating element has broken it may seem like it’s curtains for your oven. However, most heating elements can be removed and replaced with nothing more than a screwdriver in under half an hour
Much like ovens, the seal on fridges and freezers can become brittle and stop your fridge working properly. Replacing fridge spares is easy, and replacing a seal should take around 20 minutes
Mould can start to grow in older washing machines. Fix this with nothing more than hot water and white vinegar. Clean all areas, including the detergent drawer, drum and seal. Afterwards, run a hot water cycle on empty, leave the door open to dry, and before you know it, your machine is as good as new

… with thanks to espares…