IT'S YOUR HOME. WE JUST WORK THERE.
Sears Home Services blogshs blog
Friday Mar 25, 2011
Calling All Units…
Are you experiencing humidity problems?
Do you feel like you are running into the ground?
Are you turning on and off constantly?
Are you having problems staying cool or warming up?
Are you constantly breaking down?
Energy Star states that 49% of all the energy you use in your home goes towards keeping cool or staying warm.
Today, the average price for a new cooling unit costs around $10,000 - equivalent to the price of a new car or one hundred pairs of designer heels! If you tune-up your car on a regular basis, why not tune-up you air conditioning unit too? Here are three easy steps to keep you calm and cool in the summertime.
The Filter
It is recommended that your unit’s air filter be changed out on a monthly basis. All you need to do is purchase a replacement filter that is pleated, the correct size, clean and matches up to the size of the unit. Next, locate the filter, which is usually where your return air goes into your unit at the return grill or on the bottom of the air handler. Reach in and swap the filter out with the new one by placing it in the right direction and proper position. It’s that easy. Changing the air filter on a monthly basis can keep your system functioning seamlessly and give you the biggest bang for the least amount of buck.
The Programmable Thermostat
If you are like me, and are away from home more often than not, a programmable thermostat may be your key to savings. Programmable thermostats allow you to control the humidity in the home and also vary the temperature and cycles from room to room and floor to floor. Once you find your temperature comfort zone, you can pre-set your air conditioning unit to run during specific times of the day and certain days of the week. By equipping your unit with a programmable thermostat, you will not only keep your system running smoothly but also ensure your comfort.
The Tune-Up
To make sure that your unit is in tip top shape for summertime, now is the time to schedule your pre-seasonal tune-up. Getting your system in order has never been so easy. Give Sears a call at 1-877-827-8585 or just set up the tune-up service order directly online. Sears uses certified technicians who service all the major brands nationwide. Their tune-up costs on average $90.00 and includes a technician who will come out and verify the operating efficiency and performance of your unit.
I know that your time is valuable but sacrificing an hour today will give you cooling power tomorrow. Spring time is the best time to cut back on cooling costs and make your unit work best for you during the summertime months.
Jennifer D | Training-Team Manager, Sears Home Services www.searshomeservices.com
About Me: I have been with Sears for almost a year and am a Training-Team Manager for the Sears Home Services National Call Center in Lake Mary, Florida. My team and I make sure that we have the right people trained for the right job. I work exclusively with the associates on the HVAC Repair Sales and Service team, Third Party clients and the Technical Specialist team on how to assist our most valuable customers and own the customer’s experience. My goal is to become THE trusted advisor for all Sears Home Services customers.
Posted at 12:59PM Mar 25, 2011 by Jon B in General | Comments[8]
Have a Kenmore s/s #25358087893. Some of the food is frozen in the freezer and some is soft. Also ice build up in side freezer on back wall. What could be wrong?
Posted by Joanne Barrett on April 22, 2011 at 11:10 AM CDT #
Joanne Barrett, this is Jon with the Sears Blue Service Crew. I understand how important it is to have a properly working refrigerator. Your symptoms suggest that you have excessive frost on the evaporator and possibly have an automatic defrost system problem. There are several components in this system that could be preventing your freezer from defrosting properly. You could have a bad timer, an open defrost thermostat or a failed defrost heater. It's usually recommended a certified tech completes this type of service due to electrical components that need to be tested. If you would like to set service you can click on the Start now button on the home page, or call us here at 1-800-424-2047.
Posted by Jon B. on April 22, 2011 at 03:36 PM CDT #
I have a Kenmore Coldspot Modle 52293100 side/side. Refiger side was left open. Freezer works perfectly, refiger side only is cold on bottom opening at meat bend. I unpluged for 16 hrs then connected again, still will not work. I also vacumn coils. So what's up with my frigerator? Thank you.
Posted by Paz Flores Villazon on May 11, 2011 at 02:01 PM CDT #
Hi Paz Flores Villazon, I'm Korinna a Sears Blue Service Crew member. I understand your concern with the refrigerator still not cooling. I'm happy to help you today. If the refrigerator is not cooling, it is possible that the evaporator coils accumulated an excessive amount of frost on them during the period the door was open. Another possibility is that the compressor overheated and has shut itself off and refuses to start while it is still hot. The unit will correct itself but it may take some time. The defrost cycle will eventually remove the excessive frost if it is there.
Since you let the unit defrost for 16 hours, this should be enough to thaw the evaporator coils and cool the compressor if it is over heated.
Note : Don't radically change the temperature setting. Adjust the control only to the next higher or lower setting. Wait 24 hours to allow the temperature to stabilize. This is the most important step and cannot be rushed. If the temperature needs to be adjusted further, repeat the process. Make sure to leave all doors closed to speed up the cooling process. I recommend limiting door openings for 2 days.
If the refrigerator still isn't cooling I highly recommend having a technician come out to diagnose and repair your appliance. If you would like to set service you can click on the Start now button on the home page, or call us here at 1-800-424-2047.
Posted by Korinna S. on May 11, 2011 at 04:27 PM CDT #
I have a side by side kenmore 2216274. The panel
between the refrig and freezer is HOT. what is going on
Posted by paula bernardy on June 23, 2011 at 01:37 PM CDT #
Hello Paula Bernardy, this is Jon from the Sears Blue Service Crew. It is normal for the strip between the refrigerator and freezer to get warm. It has a hot gas tube from the compressor attached to the back of it to prevent sweating. When this mullion strip gets very hot it usually means something is wrong with the condenser fan and motor that mount in the compressor area. It can be caused by a stopped up condenser coil underneath the refrigerator also. You should open the refrigerator and freezer doors and remove the grill underneath them. Look at the coil and see if it is stopped up. If so vacuum it. Keeping those coils clean will prevent cooling issues in the future. Paula, for more information please feel free to contact us here at Sears Home Services directly at 1-800-424-2047.
Posted by Jon B. on June 23, 2011 at 01:52 PM CDT #
Need help with my Kenmore Elite dishwasher model #665.17462300. No power - front panel does not light up when buttons are pressed. Used volt meter and appliance is getting power. Is there a resetr button?
Posted by Jennifer on July 09, 2011 at 01:36 PM CDT #
Hi Jennifer, I'm Jon a Sears Blue Service Crew member. A none working dishwasher is never a good thing. I'm here to help. Check the breaker for the dishwasher to make sure that it is not tripped. If the breaker is okay, check for a light switch beside your sink that is often installed in most homes that will shut off electrical power to the dishwasher.
If these tips don't help, then your next likely failure would be a blown TCO (Thermal Cut-Out) fuse in the console. Shut off the breaker to completely disconnect electrical power. Remove the console from the inner front panel of the dishwasher. You will find the TCO fuse in the upper left portion of the console as shown in the following link http://media.fotki.com/1_p,wbdbsgqbbwqbbbfxgtqsskgwtqkq,vi/kdgdwrbqdxkfkrqrkwt/1/1303472/5961857/image37978img-or.jpg. If you have a volt/ohm meter, you can test it for continuity. If it is blown, it will need to be replaced. You can order a replacement TCO fuse from the www.SearsPartsDirect.com website. The part number is 8193762. You will receive a kit that will need to be installed. This kit will have the instructions that are provided below. Be sure to properly follow the instructions in the kit to properly install the TCO fuse.
If you have any further questions or would like to set service please contact us here at Sears Home Services directly at 1-800-424-2047.
Posted by Jon B. on July 11, 2011 at 10:36 AM CDT #