Air Conditioning Winter Storage

Your room (window or wall) air conditioner or portable unit is valuable during those hot summer months, so when winter rolls around, take the proper steps to store the unit. Correctly storing your air conditioner will extend the life of the unit and avoid possible damage.

Remove your air conditioner from the window mounting, wall or portable location to store it indoors. If you are having difficulty removing the unit, look at modifying the mounting bracket or call an air conditioning service professional for assistance. If you are removing a window or wall unit you will want to seal off the opening to stop any drafts.

It is recommended that you store the air conditioning unit in a climate controlled area where it can be protected from the elements. Before you store the unit, it should be cleaned as directed by the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. Then, take the air conditioner, and wrap it in a blanket or similar material to protect it against dirt or dust.

If you are going to store the air conditioner in a basement, do not put it directly on the floor – basements tend to run very damp and the air conditioner can be harmed. BrandSource stores offer all the major brands and we’re your source for low prices and large selection of appliances and electronics. BrandSource combines the purchases of all member stores and that means you get the best value every day. Visit a local store near you to find out more and to receive personalized service.

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Dryer Lint – A Nuisance or Dangerous?

Lint accumulating in dryers is a nuisance, but did you know that it’s also a safety hazard? Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or exhaust duct. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), lint can block air flow, cause excessive heat build-up and result in a fire in some dryers. Follow these tips to keep your dryer lint-free and avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

1. Clean the lint trap after each dryer use. Roll lint off with fingers. Use a vacuum (you may need an attachment) to remove accumulated lint from the space where the lint trap sits.
2. Lint can settle into other parts of the dryer including underneath, behind and on the floor nearby. Vacuum the top of the dryer and along the sides and behind to be sure to eliminate all signs of lint.
3. Disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. If you are not mechanically inclined or do not feel confident doing the job yourself, hire a professional.
4. According to CPSC, dryer ducts should be made of rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct material. Replace ducts if they’re plastic or foil material; they’ll trap lint more easily.

With some basic maintenance and cleaning, your dryer will function properly and you’ll have peace of mind that your home and family are safe. If you’re looking for a new dryer and coordinating washer visit your local BrandSource store and one of our professionals will find the perfect unit to fit your needs. We also have laundry extras like pedestals and towers to make life a little easier. BrandSource is your source for brand name appliances and electronics, large selection and personalized service.

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Energy Efficient Washers

If you’re replacing an old washer or are a first time buyer, consider an energy efficient model. According to ENERGY STAR®, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water.

Top loading machines tend to be the most commonly purchased model because of their upfront lower cost, but in the long run they are not as economical as the front load. Front loading washers may cost a bit more at the time of purchase, but the energy efficiency results in savings for you when the utility bill arrives. Front load washers have a larger capacity allowing you to do less laundry. Less laundry means less water usage which equals less heat needed to warm the water. End result - more money in your pocket.

The Energy Guide label on washers provides information on how much energy it uses, compares energy use of similar washers, and lists approximate annual operating costs. Finally, consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR® qualified washer. On an average, ENERGY STAR® washers use up to 50% less energy than their counterparts.

Browse through our selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances then visit your local BrandSource store for details on financing, delivery, installation and extended warranty coverage.

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Laundry Detergent and Water Temperature

In order for chemicals in laundry detergent to be effective water temperature needs to be above 60 degrees. Basically, if the temperature is below 60 degrees you are pouring detergent down the drain. A quick way to determine if water is too cold is simply wash your hands. If it’s too cold for your hands, it’s too cold for the laundry detergent.

If most of your laundry is done with cold water consider purchasing a washer that has a feature called automatic temperature control. This will ensure the cold water temperature is between 65-70 degrees and warm water is between 95-100 degrees. To ensure the best cleaning possible manufacturers recommend the following.

• Use hot water (120-140 degrees) for most white fabrics and heavily soiled colorfast fabrics.
• A warm water (80-105 degrees) wash is best for most other types of fabric.
• A cold (65-75 degrees) wash is recommended for lightly soiled or bight colored garments.

When washing in cold water I recommend checking the water temperature and use liquid detergent. Always follow the temperature recommendations from the garment manufacture. Lastly, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances for lowering your energy cost and preserving precious resources. Browse through our selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances then visit your local BrandSource store for details on delivery, installation and extended warranty coverage.

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Laundry Towers – Organize Store and More!

Is your laundry room feeling more like a storage room these days? Your space can quickly be taken over by detergents, fabric softeners, bleach and other necessary supplies. Laundry towers provide the out of plain site storage you desire within arm’s reach for all your laundry extras.

Most laundry towers have two oversized drawers and pullout supply trays to fit your laundry arsenal from stain sticks and bleach pens to detergent containers and dryer sheets. Air drying those delicate clothes items is now a snap with the retractable hanging rod allowing temporary hanging space for up to 6 items. Laundry towers offer the most in terms of location flexibility when we’re talking storage options. Put them wherever you need them within the laundry area — next to the washer and dryer, in between the washer and dryer, or on the other side of the room. Typically, towers are 13.5" wide and stand flush with standard size washers and dryers when you place the tower in between or alongside the units to create an extended workspace.

Whether you are looking to purchase a new laundry tower, washer or dryer unit BrandSource is your SOURCE for major name brand appliances and electronics and we always deliver low prices, large selection and personalized service. Be sure to ask about our promotions and special financing options when you visit your local BrandSource store.

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Stackable Washers and Dryers

Does your home have limited space? Are you the only occupant in the home? Then, a laundry center or stack washer and dryer might be the right solution for you!

A laundry center is one appliance with a top loading washer on the bottom and a dryer on the top. The dryer can be gas or electric although according to research compiled, about 80% of dryers now sold are electric. Although these units have fewer features than the high-end full-size models, laundry centers are popular because they can fit nicely into closets, kitchen nooks, or hallways and they do have the basic essentials.

An alternative to the laundry center is the stack washer and separately purchased dryer. Keep in mind that not all washer units are able to be stacked. You need to purchase a washer with a flat top that can support a dryer. This obviously takes top loading washers out of the picture. It’s recommended that both units be of the same brand and that you use the stack kit from the manufacturer.

When it’s time to choose your new washer and dryer, visit the BrandSource store near you for professional, expert service.

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Ventilation Installation for your Laundry Room Dryer

For dryer vent installation in the laundry room follow the manufacturer instructions. Failure to do so will void the warranty and cause potential safety issues.

• Keep the ducting as short as possible.
• Do not put two elbows back to back as this will restrict airflow and allow lint to accumulate.
• It is recommended to use solid metal ducting whenever possible. If metal is not available use heavy flexible metal ducting. NEVER use plastic ducting of any kind.
• Always vent to the outside, never into a wall, ceiling, crawl space or other common ducts or chimneys.
• The hood vent on the exterior should have at least 12" of clearance from the ground to ensure proper air flow.
• Do not use a magnetic damper or put a screen over the exhaust outlet.

Remember, if lint builds up in the exhaust vent it becomes a potential fire hazard. Please use our convenient store locator at the top of this page to find the store closest to you with the product category or service you need. Our professional delivery and installation experts will assure that your new products arrive safely, are installed properly and that any questions or needs you have are handled promptly.

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Wrinkle Removal Technology

When it comes to wrinkled clothes, ironing is time consuming and a trip to the dry cleaner is expensive. The latest technology in wrinkle removal is coming to a laundry room near you.

Today’s dryers feature options that minimize time spent ironing like Wrinkle Shield™ Plus and Extended WRINKLEBLOCK®. Clothes will tumble intermittently every few minutes without the use of heat preventing creases and winkles from settling in for up to 3 hours in your dryer.

Another option is a modern twist on the old "shower steam" method. Some dryers naturally infuse clothing with steam to de-wrinkle the items. With special easy-to-install plumbing, there’s no need to add water at the start of every cycle.

If you are not in the market to replace your dryer, you might want to consider purchasing a fabric freshener. A fabric freshener is a portable appliance that can easily hang in your laundry area. The fabric fresher offers immersive steam to relaxes winkles and removes odors without chemicals or detergents bringing your clothes back to life in just over a half hour.

Whether you need to replace an old appliance or you are remodeling and need an entire home full of new appliances, shop BrandSource. Our knowledgeable in-store experts will help you every step of the way with low prices every day and exceptional customer service.

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