Author: Clive Gillett

Dryer Home Maintenance

Don’t Get ‘Fired Up’ Over Lint

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Dryer Home MaintenanceSeriously though, did you know that lint can be a fire hazard in your home? I’m sure you already know to empty the lint trap before every dryer load, but the trap doesn’t catch everything. And what happens when the filter clogs up over time with the tiny stuff, like leftover soap or dryer sheet residue?

That’s where the maintenance member of the family has to step in. It’s not the most fun of tasks, true, but it is vital: Proper dryer maintenance and usage can not only help prevent home fires, but also extend the life of your machine, saving you money in the long run.

Check out these 9 Dryer Maintenance Tips to Live By* for a step-by-step list to help keep your dryer running and your home safe. Some good old-fashioned vigilance can help too; I’m sure my mother would have vastly appreciated the ‘heads up’ that her dryer was running too hot before it caught on fire… (Sorry Mom.)

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Build.com in any capacity.

Was this helpful? Let us know on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!

APHW Volunteers at Michigan Fall Special Olympics 2019

APHW Staff Volunteer at Michigan Special Olympics 2019 Fall Games

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) employees volunteered again this year at the Michigan Special Olympics Fall Games September 20 – 22, assisting in a variety of ways for the 2019 events.

Patty took part in the cycling event, discovering upon arrival that her own cousin was competing! She got to escort him to the starting line for both of his races, and states she would definitely do it again next year. “It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of something like this, to watch the excitement on the participants’ faces, and see the true meaning of sportsmanship,” she said.

Assisting in flag football, Toney watched a new girl on the team discover what it’s like to score. “She hadn’t played before and at first looked confused on which way to go,” she said. “They handed her the football and told her to run, and the other team followed behind her and let her make the touchdown—her first ever. It was one of the best moments I have seen in a long time.”

“My favorite part was just being involved in the games and talking with the participants,” said David, who also assisted with the flag football event. “Our world is so self-centered sometimes, and it’s good to just think about others for a while—it’s a rewarding experience.”

“I acted as a ball retriever and delivered water to each team in the softball event,” said Taylor. “Seeing the joy and gratitude on the players’ faces was so fulfilling, and it was rewarding to see the excitement as teammates watched others hit the ball or make it to the next base.”

Toney really enjoyed interacting with the players, and strongly encourages others to consider volunteering next time. “The players are competitive, but they also cheer for each other no matter what team they’re on. It’s an amazing experience,” she said. “And they really need you.”

“Giving back and doing for others is what God wants us to do,” said Sherry, who also assisted in the cycling event. “It made me feel so good inside to be able to help and interact with them. It’s the best feeling in the world, and all I can say is go and help volunteer; you’ll be glad you did.”

With more than 1,600 athletes competing in the games, every volunteer makes a difference. APHW would like to thank Taylor, Alicia, Toney, Patty, David, Sherry and Brittany for volunteering their free time toward this event, as well as Donna for leading the volunteer effort. We are so proud to have each of you on our team!

Was this review helpful? Let us know on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!

Washing Machine Maintenance

This Suds Bucket ISN’T Self-Cleaning? Seriously!?

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Washing Machine MaintenanceYep! Sad to say, our favorite appliance for washing clothing doesn’t clean itself, despite the amount of soap you throw in there. If anything, it can actually be a haven for mold and mildew growth—so if you notice your clothing coming out a little… smelly… it might be time for some washing machine TLC.

The good news is that washing your washer isn’t all that washingly-complicated. It mostly amounts to a good wipe-down every now and then, some tubing inspection, and the occasional empty load run-through combined with vinegar.

Check out these Washing Machine Maintenance Tips* from AccreditedAppliance.com for an easy list of do’s and don’ts to keep your washer happy and healthy for years to come.

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with AccreditedAppliance.com in any capacity.

Fall Home Maintenance

Don’t ‘FALL’ for it! Maintain Your Home

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Fall Home MaintenancePUMPKIN SPICE! Okay, seriously though, focus: You have a (PUMPKIN SPICE) home to maintain and colder weather on the (PUMPKIN SPICE) way, so it’s really time to take a look around your home and… (PuMpKiN sPiCe) …erm…

AHEM. While this season does offer MANY distractions, now is the best time to maintain your home so you can sit back and enjoy the cooler weather without worrying about the actual COLD weather ahead. Check out this Fall Home Maintenance Checklist* offering a useful lineup of tasks, many of which you might not even think about on a regular basis. Out of sight could lead to out of pocket if you let things go too long, so let’s get to it.

We can reward ourselves with pumpkin spice afterward, I promise.

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Forbes.com in any capacity.

Ice Machine Maintenance

FREEZE! Or Better Yet, Keep Your Ice Machine Working

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Ice Machine MaintenanceAh, ice. If you’re lucky, you no longer have to fill trays with water, carry them to the freezer (without spilling any), and wait for them to harden. No, you have a built-in icemaker, working day and night to make sure your drinks are always cold and refreshing. Wouldn’t it be terrible if it… stopped?

Save yourself from reverting to the ice cube tray any sooner than necessary. Check out 5 Things to Know About Cleaning Your Freezer’s Built-In Ice Maker* for a safe and sanitary cleaning regimen you can perform on occasion. You may also find this article useful if your ice is starting to taste funny, or has small particles showing up in it. What’s a few minutes of cleaning on occasion to keep your ice… well, like ice? Freeze on!

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with thekitchn.com in any capacity.

 

Month-to-Month Home Warranty

Balancing Your Budget? Go Month-to-Month

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Month-to-Month Home WarrantyIf you’ve ever had to use a home warranty, you probably get why it’s convenient to have one—help with unexpected expenses is handy. But who has the extra few hundred dollars lying around for another year of coverage? Ah, but did you know America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) also offers a monthly option for new consumers and returning customers?

“We understand that people don’t usually have a big sum of money up front, and other bills to pay besides, but would like the security of coverage,” said Bill Bear, Vice President of Consumer Marketing & Business Insights for APHW. “We offer monthly plans to provide an affordable option to our customers and make it easier to budget.”

There’s also no need for concern about paying more for the convenience. “There are no additional fees for the monthly plans,” Bill said. “It’s the same price as our annual coverage packages, just broken up into monthly payments—and you can cancel at any time.”

Consumer Sales Representative Jared Sexton reaches out to existing customers nearing the end of their contracts, to ensure they know about these options. “A lot of times they’ll actually have issues we could cover and might have forgotten they had the warranty from when they bought their home,” Jared said. “We get them over to customer service to get things taken care of, and it really helps a lot of people out!”

The majority of renewal warranties for APHW are on a month-to-month basis, according to Bill. “It’s very popular!” he said.

For more information about our consumer home warranty or our payment options, call 1.855.519.1495 or email [email protected]. Our consumer sales representatives are available and glad to help.

APHW Opens New Call Center

APHW Opens New Call Center

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

APHW Opens New Call CenterOn Wednesday, August 21, America’s Preferred hosted an open house for our new call center in DeWitt, Michigan. Continuing our high level of service for homeowners and families, the new call center will benefit the local community and provide growth opportunities for employees. For information on positions at this location and throughout the organization please visit: AmericasPreferredHomesWarranty.appone.com#GodEconomics #APHW

Garage Door Opener Maintenance

Open & Shut: Garage Door Opener Maintenance

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Garage Door Opener MaintenanceOur two-car garage did not include garage door openers when we first moved in. After one horrendous winter without them—pull up the icy driveway, get out without slipping, go into the side door of the garage, unlock and open the garage door from the inside, get back into the car, pull forward, then face the cold once more to shut and lock the garage door—it was clear that automated garage door openers would be in our immediate future.

Whether you had them upon moving in or added them later, regular use will eventually wear down parts and equipment like any other machine. Occasional maintenance (much easier to perform during warmer weather) will keep their convenience at your fingertips longer—and hopefully out of those winter blasts.

Each task listed in the Top 10 Preventive Maintenance Tips for Garage Door Owners by Garaga.com* takes mere minutes to complete, and can save you a lot of headache in the future. Worth it? Just ask our frozen former selves.

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Garaga.com in any capacity.