How to Protect Your Appliances from Summer Heat and High Energy Bills

Home appliances struggle during summer’s worst heat. These strategies will help you stay ahead of breakdowns and bills.

Summer heat takes a toll on all of us. We slow down, crank up the AC, reach for something cold—and try not to cook unless absolutely necessary. But while we’re finding ways to stay cool, our appliances? They’re quietly doing a whole lot more.

Your fridge is working harder to keep things cold. The dishwasher is running constantly because everyone’s home (and somehow always eating). Even your dryer and washing machine are pulling double duty with all the extra towels and clothes from beach trips and backyard fun.

It adds up fast. And if you're not paying attention, all that effort can wear your appliances down. The good news is you don’t need a total overhaul—just some smart, seasonal upkeep.

Let’s go room by room and break down how to keep your appliances running smooth, even when the temps keep climbing.

Air Conditioners: The Summer MVP That Needs a Break

No surprise here—your air conditioner is the hardest-working appliance in the house during summer. It's not just cooling your space; it's also pulling humidity from the air, which makes everything feel stickier and harder to manage. That double workload? It can wear your system out fast.

Here’s what helps:

Clean or replace the filters every month if you're running it daily.
Keep the outdoor unit free of weeds, leaves, and dust. It needs breathing room.

Schedule a quick checkup before the heat really kicks in. A pro can spot refrigerant leaks, clogged coils, or wiring issues before they become breakdowns.

Consider a dehumidifier if your AC can’t keep up with the moisture. It'll lighten the load and help your space feel more comfortable.

And if you haven’t already switched to a programmable thermostat, now’s a good time. Setting your AC a little higher when you're not home can make a big difference in both energy use and wear and tear.

Refrigerators & Freezers: Cold Storage, Hot Problems

Your fridge doesn’t get a break. It runs all day, every day—and in summer, it's fighting against heat, humidity, and more frequent door opens (because cold drinks, obviously). That means the compressor and fans are working overtime.

A few small tweaks go a long way:

Keep the fridge set to 37-40°F, and the freezer at 0°F.

Don’t pack it to the brim—air needs to move to keep things cool.

Clean the coils every couple months. Dust makes it work harder.

Check the seals. A loose gasket lets cold air slip out and makes the motor run constantly.

Also, try not to shove the fridge against the wall. It needs space to vent heat from the back. And if you store a second fridge in a hot garage, make sure it’s got plenty of airflow or consider moving it to a cooler spot.

Washing Machines: More Laundry, More Stress

Summer means sweat, swimsuits, towels, dirt—and lots of laundry. Your washer isn’t getting any rest, especially if your household is growing with guests or kids home for break.

To keep it from burning out:

Avoid overloading it. Smaller, balanced loads are easier on the drum.

Use the right amount of detergent. Too much can cause buildup and strain the system.

Leave the door open after a wash to let moisture dry out (mold loves damp spaces).

Wipe down the drum and gasket regularly.

Check the hoses every now and then for cracks or leaks.

If your washer has a cleaning cycle, use it monthly. If not, run a hot cycle with white vinegar to keep things fresh and clear.

Dryers: A Hidden Fire Risk in the Heat

You might not think about it, but dryers are a big fire risk—especially in summer. Heat plus lint plus long drying cycles is a risky combination.

Here’s what you can do:

Clean the lint trap every time you run a load.

Wash the screen with soap and water once a month to remove film.

Check the vent hose and clean it out at least once a year.

Don’t overstuff the dryer—it takes longer to dry, and it wears out the motor.

Courtesy of Miele

If the weather’s nice, hang-dry towels and heavier items outside. Your dryer (and your electric bill) will thank you.

Also, keep an eye (and ear) out for any odd noises or longer-than-usual dry times. That’s often the first sign something’s clogging up the works.

Dishwashers: They Work Harder Than You Think

Between cookouts, houseguests, and just eating at home more often, your dishwasher has a busy summer. If it’s not maintained properly, it won’t clean as well—or worse, it might leak or break down completely.

To keep it running smoothly:

Don’t overload it. Water and detergent need space to move.

Clean the filter regularly (if it’s removable, pull it out and rinse).

Wipe down the gaskets and door edges where grime builds up.

Rinse or scrape food chunks off plates before loading.

Run a cleaning cycle once a month, or run it empty with a bowl of vinegar on the top rack.

If you live in an area with hard water, use a rinse aid or softener. Mineral deposits can clog up spray arms fast.

Water Heaters: Easy to Ignore, But Still Working

It might not seem like your water heater is doing much in the summer, especially if you’re leaning into quick, cool showers. But don’t forget—if your household grows during summer, or you're doing lots of laundry and dishes, the demand spikes.

Some quick ways to reduce strain:

Set the temp to 120°F. It’s hot enough for comfort, but safer and more efficient.

If you have a tank heater, flush it yearly to get rid of sediment.

Check for any rust or dripping around the base. Early signs of trouble.

Lowering the temp a few degrees can save you a surprising amount on your energy bill. And if you’re planning to leave town, turn it to vacation mode.

Stoves & Ovens: Summer's Not the Time to Bake

We get it—sometimes a casserole just sounds good. But using your oven in the heat of summer? It warms up your kitchen, which makes your AC work harder, and can shorten the life of your stove.

Smarter alternatives:

Cook in the morning or late evening when it’s cooler.

Use smaller appliances like air fryers or toaster ovens when possible.

Keep burners and drip pans clean to avoid fire hazards.

Check gas connections for wear if you’re using a gas range.

And when spills happen inside the oven? Clean them right away. Baked-on grime can smoke up fast.

Ice Makers & Grills: Small Appliances, Big Impact

Your ice maker might be working harder than any other appliance and getting the least attention. Give it a little love:

Change the water filter every six months.

Clean the bin, the lines, and the interior according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Watch for leaks or buildup.

If you're using a grill often:

Scrub the grates after every use.

Empty the grease tray to avoid flare-ups.

Courtesy of Weber

Check the burners and fuel lines, especially on gas grills.

A well-maintained grill not only lasts longer but cooks more evenly, which means better burgers.

Power Surges, Overloads & Smart Habits

Summer storms and overloaded outlets can knock out your appliances in a flash. Surge protectors are a must, especially for big-ticket items like your fridge or AC unit.

Unplug what you can when not in use. That includes toasters, gaming systems, chargers—anything with a standby light. It’s not just safer, it saves you on "phantom" electricity usage.

And if your breakers trip often? Call an electrician. It might be time to upgrade your panel or rework your wiring.

Long-Term Wins: Energy Efficiency & Smart Techpix

If your appliances are aging or you’re planning upgrades, consider ENERGY STAR models. They use less energy, reduce strain on your home systems, and often come with rebates.

Even better? Many smart appliances now monitor their own health. Some can alert you if the fridge is too warm, or if your washer detects a leak.

They cost more up front, but they often pay for themselves in energy savings and peace of mind.

You don’t have to overhaul your whole house to stay cool and avoid surprise repairs. Just pay attention to the everyday appliances that keep your home running. A quick clean, a new filter, or a small adjustment now can save you from a big headache later.

Need a hand keeping your appliances in peak condition this summer? At Appliance Rescue Service, our expert technicians are here to help you stay ahead of costly breakdowns. Whether it’s routine maintenance or a repair that just can’t wait, we’ll make sure your appliances keep up with the season—so your home stays comfortable, efficient, and worry-free. Reach out anytime—we're just a call away.

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Don't Let Your Dryer Become a Fire Hazard

Discover the Top Causes and Solutions 

 Is your dryer a ticking time bomb in your home? While we often take our appliances for granted, the reality is that a dryer left unchecked can pose a serious fire hazard. From lint buildup to overloaded loads, there are numerous factors that can turn your laundry routine into a nightmare. In this article, we'll delve into the common causes of dryer fires and provide practical tips on how you can prevent them. Don't let your dryer become a fire risk – read on to safeguard your home and family.

What Can Cause Your Dryer To Catch Fire? 

There are many, many variables that can cause a dryer fire. Electrical components, high heat, a lack of maintenance, combustible materials, faults in the equipment, and even freak accidents. 

Dryer fires are not as uncommon though as we might wish. It's so easy for us to ignore small signs that end up with big impact.

Courtesy of Atomic Dragon

 One of the biggest causes of dryer fires is due to lint buildup. This can be around the dryer frame, in the ducting, or even in the lint catch. If you do any camping, you might see people suggesting this lint as a way to start campfires. That gives you an idea of just how flammable and dry this material is. It's the bits of fluff and debris from your clothes as the dryer tumbles them and then dried out over and over until all that's necessary is a spark.

Your dryer can also catch fire if it is being overloaded consistently. We're not saying that the one time that you need to go and overload it is going to be the instance when everything catches fire. But if you're doing it consistently, your dryer will begin to struggle and grind, and possibly spark.

A fire can also happen if your dryer cannot breathe properly. If you have it boxed in with stuff on all sides or you have it pressed up against the wall, then the vents get clogged and the heat has nowhere to go except inside the dryer. All too easily, that becomes clothing overheating or that lint that we mentioned, and things catch fire.

Clothes being soaked in chemicals or oils are also a source. If you've ever worked in a kitchen or a shop, you know that you constantly need hand towels. To wipe up spills, to dry your hands off, to clean something. Now imagine somebody's distracted, and they toss them into the dryer because you need these right now, and you don't have time to wash them. We all know it, but chemicals and oils do not belong in your dryer. They will combust due to the heat.

You can also have a fire occur if the outlet isn't properly matched to the dryer plug. If you are trying to run a dryer on a standard house plug it can cause the outlet to spark because the dryer is pulling too much electricity through it.

There are also things that simply should not go into your dryer. A good example would be sneakers. Anything that is made of foam, plastic, or rubber does not belong in your dryer. These things can easily melt and combust.

One thing we do want to point out, though is that many people will point to the type of dryer being an issue. Talking about how a gas dryer is more dangerous than an electric. In fact according to the National Fire Protection Association, 78% of dryer fires are electric dryers. So while we will not say that gas dryers are completely safe, we will say that you should do your own research and consideration.

How You Can Prevent A Dryer Fire

The short answer for fire prevention is; to do the opposite of everything we listed up top.

If you want the longer and more in-depth version though, let's break it down.

Always make sure to clean the lint filter and screens after every cycle. Then, once a week or so, you can run a wet cloth around the inside of the drum and pick up anything that hasn't made it through. This cuts off one of the biggest causes of dryer fires before it has a chance to accumulate .

Courtesy of Rick Harp

You should also hire a professional once a year to clean out the ducts and vents for your dryer. Although the filters catch most things, they don't catch everything. Some of that is going to go and get stuck in the ducting of the dryer, and it is as much a danger there as it is if it gets stuck inside the filter.

Don't put items made of foam, rubber, or plastic in your dryer. Yes, it might be faster to dry your sneakers in the dryer. But your dryer is not made for that. Yes we have covered dryers with specialized attachments to handle them. But that's the point, they are specialized features with that in mind to keep your dryer safe. Plastic is just straight out. 

Don't overload your dryer with wet clothing. Your dryer is not meant to handle as much weight as we all think. About 2/3 of the way full is as much as you should ever be doing. 1/2 is better. And yes, that does mean that you'll be doing more loads of laundry but it also means you'll be preserving your dryer for much longer.

Keep the area around your dryer free of clutter. Whether it's boxes, toys, cleaning materials, just don't. Give your dryer room to breathe and, more importantly, to cool off.

Handle chemical and oil stains with care. If you are working on your car or frying lots of food in the kitchen, always pre-treat your clothes and wash them as thoroughly as possible before you ever put them near your dryer. More importantly, make sure to double-check the stain before you put it into the dryer. If it's not out after the first run through the wash, nothing says it has to go in the dryer. You can absolutely put it back into the wash or take it into your bathroom to give it another soak or a scrub by hand, which sure it's not fun, but again, this is less about fun and more about preventing fires.

What To Do If Your Dryer Catches On Fire

Heaven forbid that you ever encounter a fire in your dryer or near the electrical outlet, or in the venting, this is what you should do.

First off, stay as calm as possible. You can handle this. Even if handling this is calling in the professionals

Switch off your dryer if you can, either at the power switch or at the breaker. 

Whatever you do, don't open the door to the dryer, as that's only going to feed oxygen to the flame. It will also release toxic gases into the air and your face.

Next up, grab your fire extinguisher, as we've mentioned in other posts you should ideally have one in your laundry room. An ABC fire extinguisher, is one that you can pull the pin, point at the base of the flames, and spray from side to side. Make sure that you get the back of the unit, if possible, as well.

Remove anything from near the dryer that could be an accelerant. 

If that's not possible, evacuate the room, close the door, and call your fire department. 

Extra Benefit Of Taking Care Of Your Dryer! 

If treated properly, a dryer is a wonderfully useful appliance to have in your home, and compared to other sources, a dryer fire is rather uncommon. So, by making sure that you take care of your dryer, your dryer can take care of you. The additional benefit of regularly maintaining your dryer is a reduced utility bill. When your dryer can breathe properly it can dry clothes faster, and that means that you get more laundry done using less electricity. It also means that your dryer lasts longer.

Ultimately, dryer fires are just as destructive as any other fire type in the home. The good news is that you can prevent them. Be cautious and take care of your dryer; not only does it keep your dryer running longer, but it also keeps your home safe. 

Don't wait for a disaster to strike. Schedule a yearly reminder to inspect your dryer's vents and ducts for any blockages. Additionally, educate yourself about the signs of dryer malfunction and take prompt action if you notice any irregularities. Your diligence could prevent a potential fire hazard in your home.

If your dryer is struggling despite following the maintenance tips we've suggested, give us a call. We will work with you to determine the issue and get your dryer running properly again. While we don't handle lint removal or duct cleaning, we can diagnose any electrical or mechanical issues that it might be having.

At Appliance Rescue Service our goal is to keep your home running smoothly. You can reach out to us via our website or by giving us a call ((214) 599-0055) and we will work with you to find a time and date that fits your needs to send our technicians your way. 

Additional Reading

What is the Most Energy Efficient Clothes Dryer?

Places to Avoid: The Paw Version!