How to Extend the Life of 5 Major Appliances
Spending money on an appliance can make us question ourselves. Pay an exorbitant amount, and you may wonder if you're being foolish. Pay what feels like a steal, and you may wonder if you've bought a piece of junk. No wonder many homeowners do everything they can to keep their existing appliances running for as long as possible. Fortunately, if you want to keep your appliances running longer than typical, you can. It just requires a little effort, says Chris Granger, the Chicago-based vice president and general manager of Sears Home Services, which does repair and home improvement projects. He oversees more than 6,000 technicians making more than 12 million service and installation calls a year. Mainly, if you want to keep your appliances running for as long as possible, you need to make an effort to learn how to take care of them, Granger says. "The owner's manuals have great tips and maintenance advice," he says. "You'd be surpri...