Getting Your Appliances Ready for a Simi Valley Summer

If you’ve lived in Simi Valley for even one summer, you know what’s coming. Triple-digit days from June through September, Santa Ana winds in the fall, and your appliances working overtime to keep up.

Here’s what we recommend doing now — before the heat arrives — to avoid an emergency call in July.

Refrigerator: The Hardest-Working Appliance in Summer

Your refrigerator is already running 24/7. When ambient temperatures in your garage or kitchen climb above 90°F, it has to work significantly harder.

What to do now:

1. Pull the fridge out and clean the condenser coils. Dust and pet hair on the coils force the compressor to run longer. This is the single most impactful maintenance task you can do. The coils are usually on the bottom (behind the kickplate) or the back of the unit.

2. Check the door seals. Close the door on a dollar bill — if you can pull it out easily, the gasket needs replacing. A weak seal lets cold air escape and drives up your electric bill.

3. Set the correct temperature. Your fridge should be at 37°F and the freezer at 0°F. Cranking it colder than necessary wears out the compressor faster.

4. Clear space around the unit. Your fridge needs airflow on the sides and back. If it’s wedged tight between cabinets, it can’t dissipate heat properly.

Washer and Dryer: Prevent Mildew and Lint Buildup

Summer humidity plus closed-up laundry rooms equals mildew — especially in front-load washers.

• Leave the washer door open between loads to let the drum and gasket dry out.
• Run a cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a washer cleaner tablet once a month.
• Clean the dryer vent from the back of the dryer all the way to the exterior vent cap. Lint buildup is a fire hazard and makes your dryer run longer.

Dishwasher: Hard Water Season

Simi Valley’s water is notoriously hard. In summer, when usage increases and water evaporates faster, mineral buildup accelerates.

• Run a rinse aid to prevent spots and mineral deposits on the spray arms.
• Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub monthly. Most homeowners don’t even know it’s there.
• Check the spray arms for clogged holes — a toothpick works fine.

When to Call a Pro

If you notice any of these during your pre-summer check, give us a call:

• Refrigerator compressor running constantly without cycling off
• Washer leaving clothes wetter than usual after the spin cycle
• Dryer taking two cycles to dry a normal load
• Dishwasher leaving standing water at the bottom after a cycle

Call Simi Valley Appliance Repairs at (805) 804-3529. We’ll help you get ahead of summer before it gets ahead of you.