How To Care For Your Refrigerator/Freezer

We often take our refrigerators for granted although the seemingly magic, cooling machine is a fairly recent invention. Less than a hundred years ago, we were still using ice boxes to cool our pickles and drinks. Additionally, up until 1990, refrigerators used the synthetic chemical Freon-12, but since Freon-12 damaged the Ozone, it was replaced with the less harmful chemical, R-134a. Enough with the history lesson, here are a few more tips to make your fridge do the most for you. See our previous post on fridge temperature for even more information.

1.      Use a Coil Cleaning Brush

We already talked about condenser coils, but here is some extra information on what they are and how to clean them. The condenser coils cool the refrigerant (the previously mentioned chemical, r-134a), which in turn cools the Fridge. The fan cools the condenser coils (not all fridges have a fan), so if any of these parts are dirty, than they will not release heat or function as well as they should. Using a coil brush, which you can buy for an economical $5, Scrub and vacuum the condenser coils. You may have to remove a grate or pull out your fridge to access the coils. Remember to unplug your Fridge before doing any kind of work, even if you are just brushing the dirty coils.

2.      Space Check

Freezers get crowded. Sometimes you just can’t eat the ice-cream as fast as you buy it. A full freezer is more effective at keeping cool than an empty one, but, when things get too cramped and crowded, the air circulation diminishes. When food starts to pile up around the vents, then the air return will become clogged and use more energy to achieve less. Try to find the right balance between overstuffed and under packed.

3.      Use an odor reducer

There are a few things that can help out with that old fridge smell. The better known one is to keep an open container of baking soda in the back of the fridge, but a few lesser known ones are a few charcoal briquettes, a bag of coffee grinds, which masks instead of removes the smell, or a tool such as the “Fridge-It,” which is made of activated charcoal (activated meaning it reacts more easily). You can find a pack of 6 for under $20.

4.       Check your Freezer Thermometer

We talked about the Refrigerator sweet spot between 35° and 38° Fahrenheit and but your Freezer also has a sweet spot between 0° and 10° Fahrenheit, so you should match your settings accordingly. You may have an air baffle in addition to your temperature controls. The air baffle helps control the temperature and will make the freezer colder if closed.

Is your refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker not working at all? If you cannot diagnose the problem you may need to have a repair technician come take a look. Choosing the Right Appliance Repair Technician is important to ensure your appliance gets back to running in tip-top shape.

Occasionally, refrigerators will need to have their control board replaced. If the refrigerator part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service to breathe new life back into your old appliance! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your appliance back working again in no time and saves you the hassle of purchasing a new refrigerator. Call 1866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.

Recycle Your Old Electronic and more

Each year, Americans throw out 3 million tons of electronic waste, more than any other country. Most of this waste ends up in landfills and incinerators. These traditional methods of waste disposal have one big flaw: they release their contents into the environment. Landfills produce leachate, a mixture of rainwater and dissolved waste. Incinerators burn their waste, releasing harmful gasses and particulates.

These methods of waste disposal are especially dangerous when electronic waste is among the trash. Circuit boards, batteries, bulbs and motors contain harmful toxins and carcinogens. For example, the control board in your major appliance might contain Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, or Beryllium Oxide. When these boards are thrown out, these harmful substances make their way into the environment as leachate and smog. There has to be another way!

The excellent phrase, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” holds true here. Most of the components found in electronic waste are recyclable! Because of the high demand for electronics in general, recycled materials are used by many manufacturers. In addition, some companies, like CoreCentric Solutions, recycle the whole control board.

Recycling old electronics helps the environment and the economy. Instead of tossing your old appliance parts in the trash, Think Green and recycle. It’s easy! Just take your old part to one of our many recycling centers. You can find a list of appliance part recycling locations here.

Saturday October 27, 2012 CoreCentric Solutions is sponsoring a Recycling Extravaganza at their main facilities at 175 Wall St, Glendale Heights, IL. Here from 9 am thru 1 pm you can drop off your electronics, light bulbs, powertools and more to recycle. There will even be a free secure paper shredding service available. For more info visit http://www.corecentricsolutions.com/published/recyclingevent.

When it’s time to buy another part, Think Green and buy remanufactured parts. These components are made to meet or exceed OEM standards and even come with a warranty. You can find hundreds of these parts and more information here.

Finding an Appliance Part Number

So your appliance is broken. What now? Fixing it is almost always better than buying a new one, because it can save you money and save that appliance from the landfill. If you can identify which part is faulty, then dealing with that individual part is the best solution. Whether you buy a part directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), buy a remanufactured part (often the more economical option) from a company such as CoreCentric Solutions, or use a repair service such as CoreCentric’s Return for Repair (RFR) service, you will need to know the part number beforehand.

There are a lot of numbers on every board. There are labels for individual components, date codes, part revisions, and different numbering systems for each manufacturer as well as within the manufacturer itself. Unfortunately there is no standard, so you are going to have to do some troubleshooting, and work off of these guidelines to find the right digits.

1.      Look for labels not directly printed onto the board. 

A good clue for finding a part number is if it is on the label. You can also see in this example that the label says, “GEA Part No.” so the part number (also called a control number) should be fairly easy to find.

2.      Avoid the date code. One of the most common errors for the novice part number finder is to mistake the date code for the part number. For the part pictured above, the part number is easily laid out, but for other parts, there will be no indication as to which number is which function. Date codes are often shorter, and may have certain letters and number standing in for years or months. The format of the date codes can change depending on the manufacturer.

3.      Identify Patterns – Try to find similarities between these part numbers and the numbers on your board.

            Bosch        -    486752 -> 6 digits

16-10-623 -> 2 digits – 2 digits – 3 digits

Frigidaire -     5303272309 -> 9 or 10 digits

GE              -    WB27T10611 -> Often starts with W and another letter, eg: WB, Wh, WE, WR, etc.    

                        336282 -> 6-7 digits

Whirlpool -    6610269 -> 7 digits

These are just a few examples. Your board might have a different numbering system altogether.

4.      If you find that your online search for the part number comes up empty, then you may have the wrong number or your part might be no longer available (NLA). If you think that your part is NLA, consider using CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service. You can search your part number on the Return for Repair price list and have CoreCentric Solutions repair your part in only 2-4 business days. 

Water Saving Tips

Water is on a lot of people’s minds (and makes up most of our body!). Our lives depend on hydration, and we use water for washing, cleaning, cooking, cooling, waste disposal, and more every day.

You may have heard the standard tips for water conservation, such as taking shorter showers and turning off the water while you brush your teeth, but here are a few extra suggestions of home upgrades that will really make a difference for your water consumption and water bill.

1.      Install a Faucet Aerator

A faucet aerator attaches to the end sink or bathroom tap and helps reduce water usage by spreading the water flow from one big stream into many little water droplets. Modern indoor water faucets are likely to have built-in aerators, but if you have an older model, attaching an aerator can instantly save water and money. They are economical too and you can find them easily online or at your local home depot for under $10.

2.      Install a water efficient shower head

In 1992, the Government regulated shower heads to have a flow rate less than 2.5 gallons per minute. This created a generation of more efficient shower heads, saving as much as 12 gallons per 5 minute shower. If you multiply that by your daily morning shower, that is more than 4,000 gallons per year. If you still have the old faithful showerhead, it might be time to swap it out for one that uses less water. Don’t throw the old one away however because you won’t be able to find another showerhead with the same amount of gallons per minute if you can’t stand the newer models.

3.      Use an air-cooled ice maker (instead of a water cooled icemaker)

Most water cooled icemakers use a once-through cooling system. The water used to cool the machine is used once and then disposed. This process uses a lot of water, and if you do not want to buy a closed-loop water-cooling system, which tend to be a lot more expensive, then you are best off looking for an air-cooled machine. These machines generally use more energy and produce more heat, but with much less impact than the waste and bills of the water-cooling models,

4.      Look for the EPA WaterSense label.

The environmental protection agency has developed a program that identifies and backs products that use less water without losing performance. If you are thinking of buying anything from a toilet, to a showerhead, to an irrigation controller, finding one with the WaterSense label will be to your benefit. Find out more here.

5.      Use an efficient washing machine that offers load and cycle adjustment

Washing machines use up a lot of water and energy. High-efficiency machines can cut both of these by as much as fifty percent. If you combine this with the option for adjustable settings so that you use the right amount of water for the right amount of clothing, then you will find an immediate reduction of your water use.

Another reason that your washing machine or other appliance may be using excessive amounts of water or energy is if it is not working correctly. If you diagnose the problem, and believe that your control board is causing the trouble, then CoreCentric Solutions has the economical answer. We provide remanufacturing services on electronic controls for all major brand appliances. Each of our remanufactured controls are fully analyzed and tested with quality equal to or better than any OEM part. Each control comes with a worry free 6 month performance guarantee.

What is Remanufacturing?

What makes remanufacturing special? How is a part remanufactured? What is the difference between a remanufactured part, a repaired part, a used part, a recycled part, and a broken part? How can I find a remanufactured part?

These are all important questions. Remanufacturing is a process that replaces the components which are most likely to fail or are obsolete. A remanufactured part meets the standards of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and is the same quality as a new part. Currently, remanufactured products range from car engines, to office furniture, to durable appliance parts, and more. An appliance part remanufacturing company such as CoreCentric Solutions meets the OEM guarantee by diagnosing the susceptible modes of failure, replacing all components that may be causing the failure, and then performing a 100% full functional test on the resulting remanufacturing control board.

The process differs from simple repair because in a repair, the technician will diagnose the problem for each individual board and fix or replace the singular cause of the problem. The repair process does not offer as much longevity or quality as the remanufacturing process because any one of the other susceptible failure components could be on the brink of causing yet another trip from your appliance technician.

Remanufacturing is often the better option than buying a new part because it is cheaper, meets the same OEM requirements as the new part, and may even have any corrections present in later revisions.

Remanufacturing is also special because of the decreased strain on the environment. Fixing a durable appliance is the first step towards environmental conservation because it keeps the whole appliance out of a landfill. Buying a remanufactured board is a further step because it keeps the boards, which contain chemicals that may be harmful to the earth, in circulation and out of the air.

How to Take Apart and Reassemble Your Major Appliance

Before you can get inside an appliance and figure out what in the world might be wrong, it is important to know how to correctly and safely take apart and reassemble it. Luckily, though large appliances may have vastly different functions, they are often held together in similar ways.

Prior to starting, there are a few crucial things to remember.

• Unplug the appliance – working with a live appliance is a recipe for disaster. If you ever have to check something that involves returning power to the unit, plug it in, stand back, then turn it off before resuming work.

• Keep track of your work – you don’t want to be left with a confusing mess of screws, bolts, and wires. Keep notes on where each component came from, and use containers to keep track of the small screws.

• Label all wires – these can notoriously all look the same by the end of a repair.

• Go piece by piece – not all repairs require full disassembly. If you think the malfunction may have occurred in a easily accessible spot, than start there and move on if the appliance is still not functioning correctly. 

1. Beginning 

Start with the most apparent points of connection, such as the knobs and fasteners. These may be screwed on, held with pins, spring clips, springs, or simply push-fit and can be removed by pulling. Fasteners may be hidden from view, but that does not mean that they cannot be disassembled. One common occurrence is the spring clip.

2. Getting Closer 

To remove a spring clip, use a putty knife and put the blade of the knife into the seam where the top panel hits the side panel. If you find an obstruction, this is most likely a spring clip. Push the blade directly against the clip, while pushing up on the top panel and it should pop out with ease.

Fasteners may also be hidden behind a variety of objects, such as a nameplate, logo, plug, or behind the appliance. Carefully remove the part that is hiding the fastener, and then remove the fastener itself. If something really seems like it is a force fit, gentle application of a heading pad may make the disassembly easier.

3. While It’s Apart

Once you have removed all panels and fasteners, take the opportunity of the opened appliance to vacuum the inside, lubricate any motors, and make sure electrical contacts are clean. You would be surprised how much a thorough cleaning can do. The most common problem in washing machines is a buildup of lint.

4. Reassembly

Finally, put together everything based on your detailed notes, and test the appliance to make sure it is in working order. If anything malfunctions or seems off, go back over your repair and make sure that all components are back exactly how you found them.

If the appliance still malfunctions, you may need to have a repair technician come take a look at your unit.

Occasionally, units will need to have parts replaced to bring them back to working order. If the part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service, or visit CoreCentric's eBay Store to breathe new life back into your old unit! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your oven back up and running in no time while avoiding a costly appliance replacement. Call 866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.

How to Effectively Clean Your Oven Using the Self-Clean Mode

After several hundred meals ranging from Thanksgiving turkey to frozen pizza, your oven collects all kinds of debris that can be a headache (and backache) to thoroughly clean. The self-cleaning mode on your oven is a neat little function that saves a lot of time while avoiding using chemical-based cleaners around food preparation areas.

So how does self-cleaning actually work? Essentially, the cleaning mode raises the temperature of your oven well over 800 degrees to create an extreme atmosphere in which food particles and debris cannot withstand. During this cycle, the debris eventually either dissipates or reduces to an ash-like consistency that can be easily removed with a damp cloth. If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, or used the self-cleaning feature, follow these simple steps to get your unit sparkling clean once again.


                        Preparation - 

a.       Make the job a little easier for your oven by peeking into the unit to look for any large debris that could pose as a problem during the cycle. Not only does it make the cleaning process easier for the oven, but it will also prevent excessive smoke from being released into your home.

b.      Some manufacturers recommend leaving the oven racks while others do not. The high temperature may cause the shiny finish on the racks to become dull after a self-cleaning cycle. If you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

Watch out for Flammables! - 

a.       Your oven is about to be heated to a very high level. Take extra precaution by removing all flammable items within your oven’s immediate proximity. Also, keep an eye out for children and pets!

Lock It Up! - 

a.       Ovens that have a self-cleaning mode have a locking mechanism that prevents the oven from being opened during the cycle to prevent any injury from the extreme heat. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your oven door automatically locks or needs to be manually latched.

Fire It Up! - 

a.       After you have your oven door properly secured, it is time to fire it up! Start the self-cleaning cycle and be sure to turn your overhead fan on as well.

b.      The exhaust fan will help prevent excessive smoke and the burning smell from escaping into your home as the debris is burned off, however, it is normal for an oven to smoke during this cycle. Opening a few windows nearby in addition to the exhaust fan helps as well.

Self Cleaning Time - 

a.       Let the oven do its work! Your oven will soon heat up to over 800 degrees incinerating all the debris in your unit. The running time varies by manufacturer and model so if you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

b.      DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO OPEN YOUR OVEN DURING THIS CYCLE! Self-cleaning ovens have the locking feature for your safety – to protect you from the extreme temperature it achieves during the cycle. The cycle time may be more than 4 hours so be patient and do not try to rush the process by opening the door. It can severely injure you and those around you.

Cool Down - 

a.       After the cycle is complete, your oven will most likely remain locked during the cool down period. The oven will take some time to return to a safe temperature so be sure to allow ample time.

Clean Up - 

a.       Now that your oven has returned to a safe temperature you can complete the final step of the cleaning process. Simply take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces in the inside of the oven. You will find that all debris has been reduced to a dust consistency that is very easy to remove.

The self-cleaning feature is a great way to keep your oven debris free without excessive scrubbing. If only all appliances had this nifty little feature.

If the self-cleaning function, or any function, does not seem to be working properly you may need to have a repair technician come take a look at your unit.

Occasionally, oven units will need to have their control board replaced to bring them back to working order. If the part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service, or visit CoreCentric's eBay Store to breathe new life back into your old unit! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your oven back up and running in no time while avoiding a costly appliance replacement. Call 866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.