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Help Your Refrigerator Keep Its Cool in Hot Weather

There’s nothing worse than a warm fridge, especially when it’s nearing 90 degrees outside! Unfortunately, it’s notable that when the weather starts to warm up, refrigerators start to break down. Appliances like refrigerators work hard to regulate and maintain their appropriate temperature, and both the rising temperature and increased usage over the summer makes them work harder and sometimes malfunction.

Here are a few preventative tips to keep your refrigerator working at its best:
  1. Change your water filter every six months (unless otherwise stated on your new filter’s packaging): This is something most fridge owners forget about! If you don’t change them often enough, they’ll cut down on the cleanliness of your water and may even stop your water flow to your ice maker and water dispenser. It’ll make your water and ice taste better as well.
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  2. Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils every six months: Is your refrigerator still running, but not getting as cool as it used to? It might be time to clean the condenser coils. The condenser is often located underneath your fridge, but it could also be on the back or top of your unit depending on the model. This area of your fridge often attracts dust and pet hair which can cause reduced energy efficiency, poor cooling temperatures and premature refrigerator failure. It’s important to note that not all refrigerators have condenser coils in a location that can be cleaned by the consumer. Request a condenser coil cleaning during your next repair service, dryer vent cleaning or gas fireplace cleaning!
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  3. Keep your trip to the fridge at a minimum: Refrigerators work hard to maintain their internal temperature and remove moisture that is naturally presented in the air inside of the unit (especially during more humid times of the year). A little condensation in your fridge is normal; you’ll find that your glass shelves and food packages may fog up or collect condensation when the doors are frequently opened in the midst of summer humidity. But, it may be a sign of a larger problem with your refrigerator. Decide on your snack before opening the fridge door and get all of your ingredients out all at once.
  

If your refrigerator is currently not working as it should, give the experts at Westside Appliance Repair a call at 515-276-8899 (or schedule your repair online). Be sure to provide us with your appliance’s make, model and serial number – this helps us to diagnose potential problems over the phone and come prepared with the parts we need to fix your specific refrigerator during our initial service call.   We always try our hardest to be as efficient as possible so we can repair your appliances in one service trip. During this global pandemic, we’ve made this goal a priority. Limiting the number of trips per repair not only saves you time and money with an additional service trip, but it also limits our technicians to possible COVID-19 exposure by going to fewer homes each day while still keeping up with the increased demand.

Trust Experts that are Factory Certified

Did you know that Westside Appliance Repair is Iowa’s only Whirlpool Factory Certified Care Center? Our technicians are trained and certified by Whirlpool Corporation to provide specialized care for Whirlpool, JennAir, KitchenAid and Maytag appliances.

What does Factory Certified mean for us?

There are a lot of factors that go into being a Whirlpool Corporation Factory Certified Care Center. A key component is training. Our technicians have to complete an online certification called the “Basic Technician Competency Model”.  This includes 44 online tests that measure their knowledge in several categories such as…

  • Basic electrical knowledge
  • Laundry product diagnostic troubleshooting
  • Dishwasher diagnostic troubleshooting 
  • Cooking diagnostic troubleshooting
  • Refrigeration diagnostic troubleshooting
  • Customer service and behavioral skills

What does Factory Certified mean for you?

Besides providing valuable service, our technicians are also able to answer any questions customers may have about their Whirlpool, JennAir, KitchenAid or Maytag appliances. Because of our training, we have a better understanding of the machine as a whole and the specifics of each brand. Appliances are more like computers these days and less like machines. Each brand has its own technology, and factory-trained technicians can solve issues faster.

Continuing Education

With not only Whirlpool Corporate brands, but with all the brands we service, our technicians also attend multiple factory trainings each year with training on new products and any training items that the manufacturers feel to be beneficial to us.

In addition to these trainings there are many optional training videos available for technicians to use to improve their skills and even assist them with any particular appliance repair issues they are actively resolving.

Learn more about all the brands we service and schedule your repair online!

Trust Experts with Background Checks

We understand that hiring an in-home service essentially means welcoming a stranger into your house. When hiring an appliance repair company, be sure to hire one that prioritizes trust and safety. At Westside, quality service not only means quick appliance repair performed correctly. To us, quality service is an assurance that our technicians are professional, well-mannered, and respectful to you and your home.

Ask before you hire!

Before hiring an appliance repair company, ask if the service provider has completed a rigorous and comprehensive criminal background check and drug screening on their technicians. Unfortunately, this is not a standard in our industry. We are one of the only companies in town that does them and have also observed candidates with failed background checks getting hired by local competitors. Have peace of mind knowing the technician you are inviting into your home is not only knowledgeable but safe and professional.

What else does Westside do to ensure quality service?

Pre-employment vetting: Along with vetting our technicians with a criminal background check and drug screening, we evaluate our prospective employees for professionalism and a customer-service mindset. We check their driving records pre-employment as well to make sure they are safe, distraction-free drivers.

Factory-certified training: Once employed, our new technicians join our factory certification trainee program. This includes a three-week hands-on training course at Fred’s Appliance Academy in Ohio. We require our technicians to become Factory Certified on Whirlpool product lines (soon GE as well). For Whirlpool, our technicians must pass 44 online tests on subjects including basic electrical knowledge, diagnostic and trouble-shooting appliances, and customer service/behavioral skills. After the initial factory certification, our technicians must attend multiple factory trainings each year on new products and education our manufacturers feel benefit us.

High standards of professionalism: A Westside technician will never come to your home out of uniform. Our technicians keep their vans and their appearance clean. They arrive during the two-hour service window and provide timely service with the goal of completing your repair in one trip if possible.

Ask these questions the next time you are seeking an appliance repair company. You may be shocked by what you learn! Trust the experts at Westside and schedule your appliance repair here.

Trust Experts With Liability Insurance

When booking your appliance repair service, asking about liability insurance may not first come to mind. But with the nature of our job, it is an important aspect to consider if you are in between hiring two different companies. Expert appliance repair companies will pay for liability insurance so that if a problem does arise, both the company and the customer is financially protected. Without it, we’ve heard of customers getting the run-around and waiting months for damage repair caused by non-insured technicians. We have even heard of customers having to pay for the property repairs themselves due to hidden wording in contracts.

What does liability insurance cover?

Liability insurance covers any damage accidentally caused to your home or your appliance by an appliance repair technician. Accidents rarely happen, but when you’re working with expensive appliances that connect to electricity, gas and water lines and sit upon nice hardwood floors, liability insurance is added protection in case damage does occur. Scratched floors, water spills and (a worst-case scenario) a fire can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. Trust an expert backed with liability insurance to know that any repairs will be compensated promptly.

What if a company doesn’t have liability insurance?

Most sole proprietor, independent repair providers do not have appropriate insurance to cover the damages they create. While the technician is at fault for the damage, there is no guarantee that it will be repaid timely or to your satisfaction. If your technician works out of their garage, with no brick-and-mortar storefront, customers can have a tougher time getting their home repairs taken care of. And to save money, some of these providers may even place some of this liability back on the homeowner in their fine print.

At Westside, we have a commercial liability insurance policy that covers any extensive damage that one of our technicians may unintentionally create.  With our technicians having an average of 16 years of experience, we are the most experienced appliance repair company in the Des Moines metro. To book your repair, give us a call at 515-276-8899, text us at 515-203-2787, or schedule your appointment online.

Highlights from 2021 and Cheers to 2022!

2021 was another fantastic year for Westside Appliance Repair! Our team of talented technicians kept busy, serving approximately 100-120 homes per day in the Des Moines metro, including Ankeny & Indianola! Now that another year is coming to a close, we can’t help but be grateful for the hard work of our employees, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of the communities we serve.

Here are just a few highlights from this past year!

  1. As the top appliance repair company in Iowa, growing our team in 2021 became a priority at a time when our customers needed us most. Though we currently have the largest fleet of 15 certified appliance technicians in the state, we continued our search for experienced techs to add to our team, making a few new hires and counting!
  1. With access to the largest inventory of appliance parts, our customers relied on us to deliver what they needed and in as timely a manner as possible. As a result, Westside sold about 7,000 DIY parts. Though shipping delays were a challenge for all retailers this year especially during the holidays, the support and patience of our customers were unwavering.
  1. All 33 of our Westside employees worked tirelessly to make sure that the 3,000-4,000 monthly incoming phone calls we receive from our customers were answered and all service visits were made (approximately 80 miles were driven per day on average by our service techs!) The success from this busy year would not have been possible without such a great team of technicians, managers, and office support staff.

Thank you again to all who made 2021 such a great success for our locally owned company. Our team at Westside Appliance Repair looks forward to serving you in 2022. Cheers to the new year!

Do Not Self-Clean Your Oven Before Christmas. Here’s Why.

With Christmas just weeks away, you may be thinking now is the time to push that self-cleaning button on your oven so that it’s ready to take on all the baking and holiday feasts! Here’s why that’s a very bad idea.

Self-cleaning cycles can be really hard on your oven. The super high temperatures required to burn everything into obliteration (temperatures over 1000 Fahrenheit) can sometimes have unintended consequences. Most ovens today have their heat elements hidden behind the internal walls of the oven, leading to poor ventilation when such high temperatures are achieved. As a result, your self-cleaning oven could damage its internal components, pop a fuse, or burn out its electrical components.

There’s never a good time for your oven to break down, but there’s definitely the worst possible time for it to happen, which is right before you’re planning to cook a dozen dishes during a family get together! If your oven’s heating element is hidden beneath the oven floor or above the oven ceiling, consider cleaning it with soap and water instead!

If your appliance is broken, do not hesitate to contact Westside Appliance Repair! Call us at 515-276-8899, text us at 515-203-2787, or schedule your repair online!

New washing machine in a home appliances store

Read this blog before shopping Black Friday appliance deals!

It seems like Black Friday gets here sooner and sooner each year especially for at-home appliances! As you shop this Black Friday for the right washer, dryer, or refrigerator, it’s important to remember that some brands aren’t as serviceable as others.

Brands such as LG and Samsung may be trendy and new, but due to their unique technology it’s often hard to find a certified appliance professional who can repair or address the inevitable issues all appliances face. Not only will this cost you time, but it may cost you more money, either by paying more for an out-of-state technician or purchasing a new model altogether. The good news is that there are many high-quality brands to choose – of which your trusted repair technicians at Westside Appliance Repair know a lot about!

Westside is Iowa’s only Whirlpool factory certified care center and we have the largest number of appliance repair technicians in town who are knowledgeable on the following brands: 

  • Aga
  • Amana
  • Atlantis
  • Bosch
  • Caloric
  • Crosley
  • Danby
  • DCS
  • Electrolux
  • Fisher & Paykel
  • Frigidaire
  • GE General Electric
  • Gibson
  • Hardwick
  • Hotpoint
  • InSinkErator
  • Jenn-Air
  • Kelvinator
  • KitchenAid
  • Magic Chef
  • Marvel
  • Maytag
  • Neptune
  • Performa
  • Roper
  • Sub-Zero
  • Uline
  • Whirlpool
  • Wolf

If you’re like many of us and already taking part in Black Friday deals on home appliances, be sure to consider the longevity and maintenance of the brand you decide to choose. Have questions? Feel free to call our team for expert advice and insight on the brands you can trust. Call Westside today at 515-276-8899!

Do Not Self-Clean Your Oven Before Thanksgiving. Here’s Why.

With Thanksgiving just weeks away, you may be thinking now is the time to push that self-cleaning button on your oven so that it’s ready to take on all the baking and holiday feasts! Here’s why that’s a very bad idea.

Self-cleaning cycles can be really hard on your oven. The super high temperatures required to burn everything into obliteration (temperatures over 1000 Fahrenheit) can sometimes have unintended consequences. Most ovens today have their heat elements hidden behind the internal walls of the oven, leading to poor ventilation when such high temperatures are achieved. As a result, your self-cleaning oven could damage its internal components, pop a fuse, or burn out its electrical components.

There’s never a good time for your oven to break down, but there’s definitely the worst possible time for it to happen, which is right before you’re planning to cook a dozen dishes during a family get together! If your oven’s heating element is hidden beneath the oven floor or above the oven ceiling, consider cleaning it with soap and water instead!

If your appliance is broken, do not hesitate to contact Westside Appliance Repair! Call us at 515-276-8899, text us at 515-203-2787, or schedule your repair online!

October is Fire Prevention Month! Prevent one of the Leading Causes of House Fires with Dryer Vent Cleaning.

Did you know – in less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire? In a typical home fire, residents may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. October is Fire Prevention Month. Take some time this month to plan and practice escape routes around your home to help your family make the most of the time they have, giving everyone enough time to get out.

Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of house fires in the U.S.! Fires occur when flammable lint builds up in the dryer or in the dryer vent. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.

Here are a few tips to help prevent fires caused by your clothes dryer:

  • Always clean the lint screen before and after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign of a blockage in the lint screen or dryer vent.
  • Call the professionals to clean your dryer vent annually! Another sign that your dryer vent is clogged is that exhaust air is not escaping through the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating.
  • Clean behind the dryer where lint can build up. Our Westside dryer vent technicians will clean the interior of the dryer, as well as your dryer vent to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.

To book your dryer vent cleaning, call Westside today at 515-276-8899!

Why Fall is the Best Time to Prep Your Home & Appliances for Winter

Remember that -20 degree weather we experienced in 2018, and the record snowfall we experienced last year? While we may be enjoying the perfect beginning-of-fall weather right now, it’s never too early to prep your home and appliances for the freezing temperatures soon to come.

Do you have an appliance that is on the fritz? Your appliances have been working hard all summer to keep their temperatures regulated despite the heat. If one of your appliances is starting to show signs of wear or malfunction, now is the time to get it looked at, before it’s working extra hard once again to maintain it’s necessary temperature once the weather gets chilly.

Here are a few other reasons why fall is the best time to prep your home and appliances for winter:

October is Fire Prevention Month

Schedule your dryer vent cleaning and gas fireplace maintenance while its importance is on the top of your mind. October is Fire Prevention Month, observed to raise awareness about fire safety and help ensure your home and family are prepared in the event of an emergency. The National Fire Protection Association named the second week in October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire. Today, the month of October is used as a reminder to improve your home’s safety to help prevent a disaster from happening to you.

Westside can help improve the safety of your home by:

Save Money on Your Heating Bill in these Transitional Months

There’s nothing better than being able to turn off your air conditioning and opening your windows to let the crisp autumn breeze cool your home before needing to turn on your furnace. Keep your home warm during these transitional seasons by installing a blower on your gas fireplace. Enjoy the coziness of a fire, and turn on your furnace fan to distribute the heat throughout your whole house. You’ll also thank us for having this once the weather reaches negative temperatures and your home is still toasty warm!

Take Advantage of our Fireplace/Dryer Vent Maintenance Program

Sign up for our annual fireplace/dryer vent maintenance program, and book your service for the Fall, as well as for next Spring, today! You’ll save more money booking these services together than booking them each apart. You’ll keep your fireplace working and looking its best throughout the year, and won’t have to remember to call us again in the spring for your annual dryer vent cleaning.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to prep your home and appliances for the upcoming cold weather. Contact us today for your appliance repair and maintenance today!

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