Friday, November 16, 2012

Holiday Appliance Tips


Here are some tips to help keep your appliances up to par for the Holiday Season!

Oven 
Don’t use self-clean mode at last minute. The high temperatures associated with a self-clean cycle can cause many different failures. If you absolutely need to self-clean your oven now would be a great time, most Appliance repair companies are busier right before the holidays so if something goes wrong you would have plenty of time for repair.

Test Temperature using one way to do this is to follow directions on a basic cake mix to bake a cake. If the cake comes out right then the temperature of your oven is fine. If it is burnt or not cooked all the way you may need to make a service call to have the temperature adjusted.

Bake in batches to conserve energy. It could be helpful to use other appliances such as a crock-pot or pressure cooker in addition to your oven to take some of the strain off of your oven and use less energy.

Refrigerator
Cleaner condenser coils help refrigerators run more efficiently and take some strain off of important functioning parts of your refrigerator.

Make sure that your door seals are not torn or deformed a door seal leaking could cause a refrigerator to run overtime and create more problems.

Disposal
Don’t stuff disposal full of food then turn it on. Let water run at least 10 seconds before putting food in disposal in small bits while water runs. Let water run at least 30 seconds after food has gone through disposal.

Rice, pasta, bones, glass are common things that back up disposals. If your disposal is clogged or stuck, make sure it is unplugged before attempting to unclog it.

Dishwasher
Despite what popular TV ads for dishwashers and dishwasher detergent say you should at least rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Large pieces of food, bones, wrappers from jars, all can clog the pump and cause the dishwasher to not function properly or ruin the pump causing a costly repair.

Check your owners manual to see if your dishwasher has a filter, if it does also look for instructions on how to clean it. Keeping your filter in your dishwasher clean can make a big difference on performance, and will help keep from straining the pump which could lead to costly repairs.

Using the right amount and right type of soap in a dishwasher can also make a big difference. The wrong type of soap could cause a dishwasher to fill with suds or leak. The wrong soap or too much soap could cause a buildup that could clog the spray arms or pump. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Service Company Values

There are many things that customers look for in the values of the service company that they use. According to the United Servicers Association surveys show that customers highly value expertise, professionalism and promptness. At Ortega's our goal is to meet or exceed our customers expectations in those areas as well as many more.

Time is another value that is important to everyone but many customers do not realize the amount of time spent by a service company to repair their appliance. Most customers only think about the time a technician spends in their home. Our office staff spends time scheduling every service call, communicating with technicians, looking up and ordering parts and doing their best to make sure the technician is prepared to make their best effort to repair the customers appliance on the first trip.

Price is also an important value that we pay attention to. We use a national flat rate guide for our pricing, which is constantly updated to keep our prices as fair as possible for both us and our customers.

Our staff go through training to be able to uphold our professionalism and expertise values. Technicians have technical training on appliances as well as in house training on how to use our mobile computer system efficiently. Our office staff members have training in phone answering and customer service techniques as well as training on using our office computer system efficiently. Our excellent efficiency influences the amount of time we spend on each service call as well as our prices.

At Ortega's we are constantly working to be as efficient as possible making changes to the way we conduct business as necessary. We email out surveys to the majority of our customers, and review every one of them to see what we are doing right or wrong. All comments are used as a learning tool for us to better serve our customers and uphold our reputation for great service.

Friday, September 7, 2012

5 Ways to Clean With Lemon

This blog is from the United Servicers Association Blog.


5 Ways to Clean Your Kitchen with Lemon by Mr. Appliance
When life gives you lemons, clean up your kitchen! That’s right. Go green by cleaning your kitchen with the fresh scent of lemon to give your appliances that sparkle they deserve without squeezing your pocketbook.
Use these simple tips from Mr. Appliance Corp. to freshen up your kitchen:
1. Microwave
Mix together 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice and 2 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for one to two minutes. Allow bowl to cool down, then use mixture to wipe down the inside walls of the microwave.
2. Oven
Mix together 2 Tbsp. of liquid dish soap and 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice with 1 quart of warm water. Apply the mixture to the inside of the oven. Return after one hour and scrub with a sponge. Rinse well.
3. Fridge
Slice a lemon and place in small bowl. Sprinkle a dash of table salt and 2 tsp. of baking soda onto lemons. Place uncovered dish in the middle of refrigerator and let sit for three to five days.
4. Dishwasher
Mix 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice with 1 cup of white vinegar. Pour into the bottom of empty dishwasher and allow for one cleaning cycle.
5. Stovetop
In a small bowl, mix 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice with 2-3 Tbsp. baking soda to form paste. Apply paste to stovetop and wipe away with warm, damp sponge or towel.
Follow these do-it-yourself cleaning tips periodically by adding them to your family calendar. To help prolong the life of your appliances, combine these tips with regular visits from your local appliance repair professional.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Save or Splurge?

When you have to buy a new appliance it can be stressful and overwhelming. We have a few tips for you to help keep it more simple and a link to a full article full of more tips. Here at Ortega's we know that you have a choice to repair or replace your appliance when you call us. One thing to always consider is how much do you like your appliance? If you like your appliance it may be worth it to repair it over buying a new appliance. If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the price of a new appliance we will make sure you know and give you time to make a decision on wether to repair it or purchase a new one.

If you are shopping mostly on price there are many features that are purely aesthetic, and don't affect the way any appliance works but can be costly. Stainless steel on kitchen appliances is popular but costly, and many laundry appliances now come in any color you can think of but for a price. White or black appliances can be quite a bit cheaper.

No matter what appliance you are shopping for there are many options that can be avoided to save money. Basic dryers haven't changed in years, now there are steam dryers, electronic controlled dryers, they will cost you more. If you could really could use any of these features this could be something to splurge on.

For a complete list of tips follow this link to this save or splurge article.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Freezer Odors

If your freezer has a foul odor it could be more of a problem than you think. There are a lot of different things that could cause freezer odor, and there are many ways to get rid of it. Rotten food in your fridge could cause both the fridge and freezer to smell. The ice bucket can be a place for bacteria to build up causing your freezer to smell and ice to taste bad.
How long has it been since you cleaned out your freezer? Completely unloading, defrosting and cleaning your freezer could seem like a huge chore but it can help to get rid of an odor. There are other methods that are suggested for getting rid of an odor. Leaving baking soda in your freezer, wiping it down with vinegar or leaving coffee grounds in your freezer are all supposed to help take out odor. If you no luck with any of these there are commercial cleaners that can help too. For more tips take a look at this article.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Advertising


Is the End Near for Traditional Advertising? The world is ever changing along with the way companies advertise. Consumers are changing the way they look for products and services. How many of you have cell phones? According to Google’s statistics 87% of Americans have mobile phones. With smart phones these days 71% of people will see traditional advertising like a billboard or commercial and immediately look up the company on their phone if they are interested. The ways to advertise in a mobile setting are developing rapidly. Companies advertise through text messages, mobile websites, mobile ads, or even apps. Some people who are just consumers and not involved in businesses or marketing don’t realize what this means for businesses. Advertising has been rapidly changing and it is hard for companies to keep up. 

Here at Ortega’s we are trying to keep up with the advertising changes. We are currently making even more changes to keep on the leading edge of technology, all of our technicians carry smart phones to be able to keep pictures of your machine and model tag on file here at the office. The possibilities with the smart phone are endless right now we will be constantly making changes to the way we do things to be as efficient as possible and keep our customers satisfied. If you have more interest in the way advertising is changing check out this blog on entrepreneur.com!

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Friday, August 10, 2012

Laundry Tips


Have you ever accidentally mixed a red piece of clothing in with your whites or do you have stubborn stains on your clothes? We have found a web page full of tips for doing laundry. There are tips for everything from refreshing yellowing whites, to many different types of stains. To see these and many more tips please follow this link.

We also suggest regularly cleaning your washing machine. Owner’s manuals should have instructions on how often and what to do to clean your specific washing machine. In general running a cycle without clothes using bleach or vinegar instead of laundry detergent should help with odor problems. On front load washers wiping the rubber door seal dry and leaving the door slightly open after you finish your last load of laundry is recommended by all manufactures. For more tips on cleaning your washing machine you can read our previous blog below (Front Load Washer Odor).

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Energy Savings

Saving Energy doesn't only save you money but it saves natural resources and can help save the environment! Saving energy reduces the demand for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The burning of these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (the main contributor to global warming) along with other toxins and pollutants into the atmosphere. Here are some simple tips that you can use with your home appliances to help save money, resources and the environment!

1.  Set your refrigerator at the right temperature! Place a thermometer in your refrigerator and monitor the temperature. Food in a refrigerator should be kept somewhere between 34 and 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) and the freezer should be kept between -5 and 5 degrees (Fahrenheit). The warmer your refrigerator is set the less energy it will use. Cleaning the condenser coils on your refrigerator can also cut down on the energy it uses!(read our blog below about cleaning your refrigerators condenser coils)

2.  Use hot water in your washing machine less often, changing from hot to warm for two loads a week accounts for large savings on average. Using the proper load size on older washers will also save water and money.

3.  Make sure your dishwasher is full before you start it and use the energy saving setting if possible on your machine.

4.  When you have to replace appliances look for the energy star tag and buy the most efficient appliance possible.

There are many different ratings and most salesman should be able to assist you in finding an efficient appliance. For even more energy saving tips beyond home appliances you can take a look at this article!

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

The 2012 ASTI Convention is right around the corner with Appliance Service Experts from all over the nation looking forward to the event
 
San Antonio TX – For the 20th consecutive year the Appliance Service Training Institute (ASTI) will present the appliance repair training convention in San Antonio Texas. Appliance repair experts from all over the US will attend the event to enhance their knowledge and learn about important updates in new appliance technology.
 
Why would appliance repair technicians take a week off work to learn what they are already doing full time? The answer is because we live in a constantly changing world of technology. Today’s new appliances will be old news when the competition comes up with a new and better way.
 
Appliance repair training is an ongoing requirement to stay on the cutting edge of technology. There are 5 great reasons for appliance service experts to attend this convention.
 
• Receive in-depth, hands-on management and technical training featuring the latest products from leading appliance manufacturers and business management skills from top industry leaders.
 
• Get in tune with best practices for service businesses which can lead to more profit
 
• Experience emerging technologies
 
• Develop and expand profitable business relationships
 
• Make new contacts and meet suppliers who will present fresh ideas to make and save money
 
The ASTI offers the industry’s broadest and best of class technical and business management training, plus a trade show featuring a wide array of products and services. Attendees will enjoy information and resources which will help them to improve their skills, increase their organization’s bottom line and have some fun while in San Antonio.
 
The annual Appliance Repair Training event includes breakfasts, lunches, receptions, awards banquet, hospitality and coffee breaks. There will be no additional charge for the pre-event, Feb 14, Basic Electrical & Refrigeration Theory classes.
 
This appliance repair training event is a great networking opportunity to meet with fellow appliance service technicians and industry representatives. The event takes place Wed – Sat, Feb 15 – Feb 18, 2012, 8am to 5pm, at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel; 110 Lexington Ave; San Antonio, TX, 92108. Visit http://www.appliancerepairtraining.org/ to learn more.
 
About United Servicers Association:
The United Servicers Association is a non-profit trade association for servicers by servicers. Their mission and purpose is to develop and provide services and programs intended to assist members in building strong businesses in North America’s competitive environment. Services include educational programs, manufacturer relations, management, marketing and operational programs, Peer Group formation and facilitation.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dryer Fires

Dryer fires are one of the biggest dangers in a home. As demonstrated in a TODAY Home Alert News Story, the lint that builds up in your dryer is very flammable. All it takes is one piece too close to the burner or element in your dryer and the fire could spread if there is enough built up.
We have seen many dryers that have evidence that some lint inside them has burned, but a dryer fire can potentially cause smoke damage, or burn a house to the ground.
Here is a list of some things that you can do to avoid a dryer fire in your home.
Common Causes of Dryer Fires:
•Failure to clean dryers, lint traps, and venting systems
•Improper venting material
•Storage of combustible material near dryer
•Putting clothing through more than one drying cycle
•Failure to adhere to load capacities
•Leaving the dryer running unattended
•Mechanical or electrical failure
Dryer Fires can be easily avoided by having your dryer, and home vent professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Tips for When you Travel

When you are going on vacation, there are a few things you should know about your appliances before you leave. There are many horror stories of people coming home to a flooded house after a vacation. There are a couple simple steps that can be taken to keep your household appliances from causing such a disaster.

•Turn off water to the Washer
If the water is left on there is constantly pressure on the washer hoses, rubber washer hoses should be replaced every 5 years. Stainless braided hoses should be replaced every 10 years. The hoses can deteriorate and burst, with the water left on it would just be a constant stream into your laundry room. Hoses should be checked often, and if there are any signs of damage or deterioration they should be replaced.

•Turn off water to the Dishwasher
not as likely but just as damaging as washer hoses, the line to your dishwasher could break or leak, and go unnoticed while you are traveling.

•Turn off at least icemaker in your fridge
Icemakers can break mechanically and get stuck in the fill part of their cycle which would cause water to continuously run in your freezer, leading to a flood, and a solid block of ice.

The line going to the fridge could also leak, causing a flood so if you can turn the water off without too much trouble turn both the icemaker and water off. The problem with this is the shut off is usually behind the fridge.

Another tip for everyday use is to not leave any appliances running and leave your home. Starting a load of laundry before heading to work may seem productive, but with front load, and top load washers we have seen the water level sensor malfunction and just continuously fill the washer until it floods. Dishwashers and ice makers can both do the same. We have also seen dryers catch fire from built up lint and if you aren’t home to catch any of these it could lead to major damage.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel appliances look great, and have become a very popular choice. Cleaning the Stainless appliances is far less popular. Many people struggle to clean their Stainless, and have tried every trick in the book, and every “Stainless Steel Cleaner” on the market. Unfortunately Stainless steel can be difficult to clean, and some products that seem to clean it great can damage it over time.

Stainless Steel is an alloy of Iron and Chromium, it gets its “stainless” quality from an oxide coating on the surface. The coating on the surface develops during manufacturing, from the Chromium reacting with oxygen in the air. This process continues throughout the steel’s life, but the coating can be damaged by things such as dirt, grease, and some cleaners like Windex.

People have reported using cleaners like Pledge and Windex with no problems, while others have said that over time it has an effect on the finish of the Stainless. Below are some basic tips that work, without harming the Stainless.

1. Stainless Steel should be washed regularly.
2. Stainless should also be treated or polished regularly.
3. The safest, easiest way to clean stainless is using a warm, wet microfiber towel, wiping down the whole sheet of stainless at the same time, wiping with the grain of the metal and drying with another dry microfiber towel. A small amount of mild dish detergent can be added to the water to help remove grease, dirt or other grime.
4. A dab of olive oil on a clean cloth can be used to remove streaks
5. Ammonia can be used to remove fingerprints, or to polish.
6. Undiluted Vinegar can also be used to polish.
7. Stainless cleaners or polishes can help to protect the stainless and should be applied according to the individual product.
8. Always make sure to put another towel down to protect your floor.
9. Always try to rub with the grain of the metal, and use microfiber cloths or towels.

We have also compiled a list of warnings regarding cleaning Stainless Steel.

1. Abrasive cleaners or cleaning cloths can leave permanent scratches on Stainless Steel
2. Cleaners that aren’t specifically made for Stainless Steel can damage the oxide coating.
3. Chlorine is very damaging to Stainless, Never use bleach to clean.
4. When spraying or washing the stainless there is always the possibility of getting whatever you are using on the floor below the appliance, so we suggest always placing a towel over the floor.

It is important to keep in mind that all Stainless Steels can be different, and these are just suggestions. They may work for some people and not work for others. Remember that Stainless should be cleaned regularly because dirt and grease can cause damage or even stains and it could be beneficial to use Stainless cleaners or polish to keep the Stainless in good shape. Once you find something that works for you, stick with it.

If you have any methods that you think work well, or try these and like something tell us about it, post on our wall on Facebook, or mention us (@OrtegasApplianc) on Twitter.

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Front Load Washer Odor

Front loading washers are not only great looking laundry appliances, but are designed to be high efficiency appliances. They use less water and soap than top loading washing machines. Unfortunately the way they are designed to work can cause problems with mold, if you don’t follow what is laid out in the owner’s manual.

Always do the following to maintain washer freshness
• Use only HE High Efficiency detergent.
• Leave the door slightly open after each cycle to allow for better ventilation and drying of washer interior.
• Repeat the cleaning procedure monthly, using 2⁄3 cup (160 mL) of liquid chlorine bleach.

This is a section straight from the Whirlpool Duet Owner’s Manual. This is similar to those found in all front load Owner’s Manuals.

The air/water tight seal will not allow water to evaporate if the door is closed at the end of a cycle. The water left in the machine can allow mold or mildew to begin to grow. HE detergents are designed to leave behind as little residue as possible, since the front load washers use less water, they can’t get rid of as much soap residue. Using too much detergent or not using HE detergent can lead to a buildup of residue inside the washer, or on the rubber door seal.

Foreign debris can also cause problems, coins, pens, sunglasses, bobby pins, safety pins, razor blades, jewelry, and many other items have been found clogging washing machine pumps. The pump being clogged can cause it to not pump out as much water as it should and lead to an odor problem or even damaging the pump. Small clothes such as baby clothes, or children’s socks can also get through to the pump and clog or damage it, using a laundry bag for small items is an easy way to eliminate that danger.

To prevent issues with an odor or buildup in your washer you can follow these helpful tips:
• Always leave the door and dispenser slightly ajar after each load
• Clean out pockets of clothes before washing them
• Use a laundry bag for small items.
• Never leave a wet load in the washer overnight
• Check the door seal and drum for debris and clothes after each load
• Always use HE detergents
• Occasionally wash some loads in warm or hot water
• Clean washer as per your Owner’s Manual

If you have issues with an odor or buildup in your washer you can follow these helpful tips:
• Clean washer as per your Owner’s Manual
• Thoroughly clean door seal, dispenser and tub
• Run a cleaning cycle with a cleaner such as Affresh or Washer Magic

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