Summer is often the time when households tackle jobs such as cleaning patios, washing windows and freshening up the garden, but energy experts say many people overlook the appliances inside their homes that also benefit from seasonal maintenance.
Ignoring these appliances doesn’t just affect cleanliness. Over time, dust, grease and restricted airflow can reduce efficiency, meaning some appliances have to work harder and use more electricity than necessary.
Gordon Wallis, energy expert at Your NRG, believes late summer is the perfect opportunity to give a few commonly used appliances some attention before autumn arrives.
“People naturally spend more time thinking about outdoor maintenance during the summer, but it’s also one of the best times to look after the appliances you rely on every day.
“Simple cleaning jobs often take no more than a few minutes, but they can help appliances run more efficiently and may even extend their lifespan.”
One appliance that is frequently forgotten is the fridge.
Although shelves are cleaned regularly, Gordon says the condenser coils at the back or underneath the appliance are often left untouched.
“If dust builds up around the coils, your fridge can’t release heat as efficiently. That means it has to work harder to keep food cold, particularly during warmer weather when it’s already under extra pressure.”
Kitchen extractor fans are another area that can easily be overlooked.
Grease gradually builds up on the filters, reducing airflow and making the appliance less effective over time.
“Washing or replacing extractor filters not only helps them perform better, but can also reduce the amount of grease circulating around your kitchen.”
Washing machines and tumble dryers also deserve attention during the summer months, particularly if they’ve been working harder with holiday clothes, sports kits and extra bedding.
“Cleaning the washing machine drawer and door seal helps prevent mould and unpleasant smells from developing, while removing lint from your tumble dryer after every use is one of the simplest things you can do to help it operate efficiently.”
Finally, Gordon recommends checking vacuum cleaner filters before autumn arrives.
“A clogged filter restricts airflow, meaning the vacuum has to work much harder to achieve the same results. It’s a small maintenance job that many people don’t think about until they notice a drop in performance.”
According to Gordon, these simple maintenance tasks are less about making dramatic savings overnight and more about helping appliances perform as efficiently as possible throughout the year.
“Most appliances give you little warning before efficiency starts to decline. A bit of routine maintenance during the summer can help them continue running smoothly and may reduce unnecessary energy use over the months ahead.”
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