Simple Appliance Maintenance Tips to Start the Year Off Right
As the new year begins, it’s a great time to reset more than just your calendar. A little appliance maintenance now can help prevent surprise breakdowns later, because no one wants an appliance emergency to be the thing that kicks off their year.
Here are five simple, expert-recommended tips to help keep your appliances running smoothly.
Clean Refrigerator Coils and Replace the Water Filter
Your refrigerator never gets a day off, so it deserves a little attention now and then. Dust and pet hair can collect on the condenser coils, making the unit work harder than necessary (and quietly judging you from behind the fridge).
Cleaning the coils about once a year helps improve efficiency and reduces strain on the compressor. Also, refrigerator water filters should be replaced every six months, or when the unit tells you it’s time. If your fridge is flashing a reminder, it’s not being dramatic. It’s being helpful.
Inspect Washer Hose and Replace Every 6 Years
Washer hoses are easy to forget about, right up until they fail. Over time, hoses can weaken, crack, or bulge, which is not something you want happening behind your washing machine.
Inspect hoses annually for signs of wear, and replace them every five years, even if they still look fine. It’s a simple upgrade that can help prevent a very inconvenient (and very wet) surprise.
Clean The Dryer Lint Trap and the Vent
You’re already doing the right thing by cleaning the lint trap after every load; well done. But lint doesn’t stop there. It can also build up in the dryer vent, restricting airflow and making your dryer work harder than it should.
A clogged vent leads to longer drying times, higher energy use, and can even become a fire hazard. Occasional professional vent cleaning helps keep laundry day efficient, and far less exciting than it could be.
Clean the Dishwasher Filter Every 6 Months
Yes, even your dishwasher needs to be cleaned. Most units have a filter at the bottom of the machine, just below the spray arm, where food particles like to hang out longer than invited.
Cleaning this filter every six months helps improve performance, reduce odors, and keeps dishes coming out clean, instead of “mostly clean, with a little mystery.”
Schedule Preventative Appliance Service
Preventative service is like a routine check-up for your appliances. A trained technician can spot small issues early, make adjustments, and help keep everything running safely and efficiently
Addressing minor concerns now can help prevent major repairs later, and save you from having to rearrange your schedule around an unexpected breakdown.
Start the Year with Confidence
A few simple maintenance habits can make a big difference in how your appliances perform throughout the year. When you need expert advice, repairs, or preventative service, the in-house team at Capritta Appliance & Air Conditioning is here to help. No surprises, no outsourcing, just dependable service.
By Linette Capritta 1/6/2026