Learn about appliance safety and how to save energy

Home appliance care checklist

Taking care of your appliances can help keep your home safe and add life to the appliance. Here are some helpful appliance safety recommendations and tips for saving energy to follow.

Washer

  • Check water connection for leaks.
  • Check drain connection for clogs.
  • Average life expectancy = 12 years

Dryer

  • Check dryer vent for clogs and proper connection.
  • Clean dryer vent every 3 months.
  • Clean lint catcher after every use.
  • Check vent tubes for bends. Less air restriction increases the efficiency.
  • Average life expectancy = 13 years

Dishwasher

  • Check water connection for leaks.
  • Check drain connection for clogs.
  • Average life expectancy = 12 years

Refrigerator

  • Check water connection for leaks.
  • Check hoses for links and kinks.
  • Plug into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet.
  • Average life expectancy = 14 years

Stove

  • Check oven door for broken glass.
  • Check for gas leaks.
  • Average life expectancy = 20 years

HVAC

  • Change furnace filters every 3 months.
  • Follow annual maintenance schedule.
  • Average life expectancy = 18 years (furnace) and 11 years (central air)

Water heater

  • Drain sediment annually.
  • Release the pressure valve every 6 months.
  • Insulate for efficiency.
  • Check pipes for leaks.
  • Average life expectancy = 11 years

Disposals

  • If not working, try the reset button.
  • If not working, try the reset button on the ground fault circuit interrupter outlet.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR appliances

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy saving appliances and practices.

  • ENERGY STAR appliances include washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners.
  • The average savings per home that uses ENERGY STAR appliances is approximately $80 per year.
  • ENERGY STAR appliances use 10-15% less energy and water than standard models.
  • If 1 in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR appliances, the change would equal 1.7 million new acres of trees.

Help from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Consumers can find home appliance care and safety information on over 4,000 product recalls and recall alerts at their website.

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The information included here is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. 
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