Sometimes We Wonder.......

I think in the past week we have looked at a half of a dozen or a little more. Maybe even 1 appliance a day that shouldn't be looked at in the first place. What I mean is the appliance is so old or in such bad shape that it's really in the best interest to just replace it then to repair it. I know money can be tight and a repair is less expensive, sometimes even less than what you think it could be. But what we look for here at MARS is the worth of the repair. Is it worth the money and time to invest in the product. Only time will tell.  

Think of it like this. Would you be willing to invest 100 or more dollars into the appliance to repair its current problem? If yes then maybe it's worth it to you. If no, then don't call and set up an appointment hoping to get away with a cheap, cheap repair. In most cases the older the appliance the more problems, cosmetic problems exist and mechanical problems break down from age. So if you look at your appliance in disgust because of the way it looks or have had it for 20 years then start thinking of something new. The reason is because money pits do exist today and they can happen anywhere at anytime. All we can do is tell you what we think about the appliance and what could give future problems and of course we can fix the current problem. But if something else breaks a couple of months down the road just be prepared. In most cases the appliance will not do this, but it has happened a couple of times to us over the years. We don't want anyone to feel like they should have replaced instead of repair. If you're wondering if it's going to be worth the repair then we would be happy to come out for a Service Call and check it out for you. Trust me we will tell if it's worth it. 

We don't advise or encourage cheap or jerry-rigged repairs. We always stand by our work and our word to fix it right. If it can't be fixed the way we like we will inform you about getting a new one or encourage you to invest in a new product instead of repairing.

So sometimes we wonder why we're even out on some Service Calls when we take a peak at the appliance. When it's falling apart and even scary to touch we just wonder......

Once again this is why you should choose MARS for your repairs. We will always advise you about the appliance and its current shape. And we will always let you know if it's worth the repair or not.

Call US today at 615-890-4334 for Service or Parts.

LOW ON REFRIGERANT? LESS THAN 1% CHANCE

How much refrigerant does a Refrigerator have in it?

In most cases from 4 oz. to 8.5 oz.

How much refrigerant does a Central Heating and Air Conditioning unit have in it?

In most cases from 60 oz. to 100 oz. or more.

So if your refrigerator is low on refrigerant it will have a different diagnosis to it than an Air Conditioner. So if you're a former HVAC technician or you are a current HVAC technician you might assume that your refrigerator or customer's refrigerator is low on charge because there's frost not completely covering the coils. It's low on refrigerant, right? NO! Refrigerator's and HVAC are different machines and operate in different atmosphere's. So don't assume that because your refrigerator is low on a full charge that it's an easy fix.

If it's low, it doesn't cool at all. That's how the refrigerator operates. If an HVAC system is low it still could have pounds of R-22 or R-410a inside helping to keep a relatively cool atmosphere. So next time you think to relate HVAC to your refrigerator, don't. It's a classic mistake. The sealed systems are different and diagnosis can make you think in the wrong direction if not careful.  

If any system is low that means there's a leak, which is bad. Coils most likely would have to be replaced to solve the problem for sure. In any case we always laugh out loud when someone says, "I think it's just low on charge." Our response always is, "I hope not, because that means it could get expensive to repair."  

So before you assume a leak which is usually not the case let the professionals take a look first. Out of a 100 refrigerators we look at that end up being sealed system problems only 1 will come away with a diagnosis of a leak. 

CALL MARS for your professional TECH to look over your possible leak today. We are E.P.A. certified and we guarantee every repair we make.

Service SAVES you money!

"My dryer is not heating. It's probably just a fuse. I can fix that."

MARS is all for the Do-It-Yourselfer. That's why we have a Parts Store. There are repairs that don't require a service technician. But, a misdiagnosis of the problem could lead to you buying several incorrect parts, which add up quickly. Our store does not allow customers to return electronic parts, and this policy is standard with most Appliance Parts retailers.

A dryer's heat, depending on the brand, could be influenced by SEVERAL things. The heating element could be bad. The heating element could be grounded. The thermal fuse may be blown. The thermostat may be bad. The Safety may be blown. The cycling thermostat could be causing the trouble. There could be a wad of lint clogging the exhaust INSIDE the dryer. The exhaust vent that goes into your foundation, under your crawl space, out the roof, or through the wall could be clogged or torn. Temperature switches on dryers can cause problems. POWER could be to blame. The previous blog entry POWER! POWER! POWER! will go into detail on this. DID YOU KNOW? If a fuse goes bad, it's telling you there may be something else wrong with the appliance.

This is just one small example of how our Service Call can save you time and money. I know multiple customers that have come in to the store and bought fuses, cords, elements, control boards, switches.......and then set up a Service Call. The best part is, we guarantee our service. All appliance repairs come with a 90 Days Labor and 1 year Parts warranty. As one happy customer put it, "Peace of mind is priceless." Call MARS for your next Appliance or HVAC service.

WHY DON'T APPLIANCES LAST LONGER

This question has many answers.

For one they're not made the way they used to be.

Back in the 60's and 70's the machine parts were made here and assembled here. The product material was heavier and was able to withstand friction better. Everything was mechanical, from the timers to the ice makers to the motors. Second, there was less items to pick from making things less complicated. The quality was just higher in those days. Only a handful of washers, dryer, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.  

Then the free trade market and technology lifted off. Parts were no longer made here anymore, they are made in other countries and then shipped here. They are still somewhat assembled here, but most parts are foreign made. The product material is plastic or thin metals which in return doesn't hold up to friction and rotation over long terms. Everything has lost the mechanical way, it turns on computer generated technology now. Sensors are now built into everything from how hot the water is to how often your refrigerator needs to defrost according to temperatures inside. Your dryer senses how long it needs to dry the clothes and your dishwasher senses how hard the water is. And last but not least there are so many brands and models of appliances that they are forever changing. This causes a problem, the quality of the product disappears behind the shade of so many appliances.

With these two differences there are some pros and cons. The cons, well the product doesn't last as long as the conventional mechanical machines. The pros, they are more efficient. The cons, they still cost just as much or much more than the conventional days. The pros, you end up getting your money back in the long run on utility costs. 

But there is one bigger problem. The reason stuff doesn't last as long is because we don't take care of our products anymore. We hope they clean themselves. This is what we have forgotten. If we just treated our machines with lightness and cleanliness we just might get those wonder years out of them along with higher efficiency. That's 2 PROS and no CONS.  

Why don't appliances last longer? I'd say maybe we should start by taking better care of them and that question just might be less asked.  

CALL MARS for your SERVICE to clean out all the mess so that your appliance can last longer.

(615) 890-4334

POWER! POWER! POWER!

The least checked problem on dryers is the power. Check your power. A dryer can run and not heat with half the power. It needs the other half to heat. So before you call MARS to come out and repair your dryer make sure it's not the electrical outlet or a breaker.  

If you still want MARS service we would be glad to replace a breaker or the outlet. But you may be able to do this yourself. So before you rip your own dryer apart looking for the problem check your power.

At worst go buy a small voltage meter and check it. You can always put the meter to good use in the future on something else.

Oh and by the way the voltage you're looking for is 220 to 240 volts.

GET YOUR A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICED ON 1 CALL

MARS, with it's everyday growth and reputation from being an A listed company on Angie's List and a notable BBB member we can't help but grow into other fields.  We are now not only offering expansive repair for in home appliance repairs, but also A/C repair.  We always suggest you use a company you are comfortable with, but if you haven't found a home repair company for your A/C call and give us a try.  We not only beat all Service Call Charges, but we apply them to the repair just like in the appliance services.  The Service Charge is waved if a repair is done.

Installing Haier Split systems and York Package systems along with York Split systems can also be performed by our company if you're looking for a new system.  We always inform the customer to call other companies to get a set price.  We do vow to match and always beat the price of our competitors.  So if we quote you a price, it is in most cases not a set price.  Just call around and let us know what others can do for you.  We'll be happy to meet your demand.

MARS not only supplies the service and knowledge, but we can also offer the parts for the do-it-yourself guy or gal.  The only company that can give you all this without going through the dreaded corporations is MARS.

FOR PARTS:

MARS PARTS STORE

855 West College St. Suite W

(615) 890-4334

FOR SERVICE:

(615) 890-4334

(615) 459-2747  

Maintain your appliance!

Your car needs an oil change every 3000 miles or so. Your computer needs to be defragmented once in a while. You should check your credit report annually. All these things have one thing in common. Maintenance. Your appliances should be maintained as well. But, most of my customers have no clue of what to do. You're rarely told by the salesman, and the owners manual is usually vague at best. So, that's what this post is about.

Dishwashers - Not cleaning well? Leaving white film on dishes? It might be a bigger problem, but have you cleaned it recently? Occasionally? Ever? Use Dishwasher Magic. You can pick it up at our Parts Store. Do not use with dishes in dishwasher. Take the cap off. Find a place on the bottom rack, usually in your silverware rack, to place the bottle upside down. Start `er up. It’s that simple. Please read the directions on the bottle before using this product.

Washers - Washer Magic is a liquid you can use for top loaders to help disinfect and clean your washer. For Front Loaders, Affresh is the best out there. It’s like an Alka-Seltzer tablet that’ll disintegrate during the wash. As I said before, please read all instructions before using this product.

Dryers - Clean the lint trap. Period. Every time. If the lint trap is cracked or broken, get a new one at our Parts Store. Check the vent on the back of the dryer. Is it crushed, cracked, or even connected? Check the velocity of the air coming from the exhaust vent on the outside of your house. Is it weak, not hot (even thought the dryer heats), or not even coming out? If you answer yes to any of these questions, it might be time to give us a call.

Refrigerators - Change your filter! This can be a "flood" of a lesson if you wait too long. Sediment builds up inside the filter over time and the water pressure may cause the filter o-ring to rupture. The fins on your coils may also need to be cleaned. They're located differently on different models. Due to electrical, freon, and water lines, we suggest allowing a professional to clean your coils.

Stoves - Keep it clean. Use CeramaBryte for ceramic cooktops. There are many products available to clean the oven's interior.

Garbage Disposals - You can use Plink. Little caplets that you drop down into the disposal and grind up to disinfect and clean the interior.

There are many cleaners out there. These are the ones we recommend. Some cleaners may work better in different scenarios. Read the instructions before using any product. All of the products listed, along with several others not mentioned, can be purchased at our Parts Store. Thank you for your time and I hope this has been helpful.