4 Questions to Ask When Searching for an Appliance Repair Service

When one of your appliances breaks down, it is obvious that you will need to call a repair service to come and fix your problem. But which one do you call? That answer is not so obvious.

If you live in a big town or city, you will likely have dozens of local repair services available to choose from, how can you tell which one is best? Asking potential companies these four questions can help you separate the good from the bad.

Question 1: How long have you been in business?

Every company starts somewhere, but generally speaking, the longer a company has been around, the more trustworthy they are – after all, they have to be doing something right to stay in business. An experienced repair service also likely means experienced technicians, which are more likely to correctly diagnose and fix your problems than someone who is new to the industry.

Our Answer: Speedy Subzero has been servicing refrigerators all over Long Island and New York City for more than 75 years.

Question 2: Are you licensed and insured?

Some states require appliance repair services to be licensed; if you live in an area with this requirement, always ask potential repair services to provide their licensing information. You will also want a company which is properly insured – you don't want to be held personally liable of a technician gets injured in your home.

Our Answer: Yes. Speedy Subzero is fully licensed and insured in the State of New York.

Question 3: Do you offer same-day service?

When it comes to appliance repairs, especially refrigerators, time is often of the essence. Not only is your refrigerator used several times throughout the day, but leaving food to sit in a broken fridge for too long will cause it to spoil. Ask if your repair company offers same-day appointments in emergency situations.

Our Answer: Absolutely! Not only do we offer same-day repairs, we guarantee one-hour service to Long Island, New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Question 4: Do you stand behind your work?

This question can make or break your decision. When you call on the services of an appliance repair company, you rightfully expect that you won't need to call them back in two weeks to make another repair, or even worse, re-fix the same problem. Pick a company who stands behind their work.

Our Answer: 100%. All of our repairs are guaranteed to last!

Speedy Subzero can fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler. We serve all of Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Our phone lines are open 24/7 and we guarantee one hour service to your home. Click here to visit our website or call 866-782-9376 to schedule a same-day visit from one of our experienced technicians.

How Long Will Refrigerated Food Last During a Power Outage?

Whether it is caused by a storm, downed power line, or unpaid electricity bill, power outages are something we all must face. Besides finding ways to keep entertained and see in the dark without lights, one of the biggest challenges we face when the power goes out is keeping our food fresh.

According to Angie's List, food in your refrigerator will typically only stay cold for about 4-6 hours before it is no longer safe for consumption. Food in the freezer, on the other hand can last up to 2 days without power.

Next time your power goes out, use these tips to avoid eating spoiled food and getting sick.

• Keep the door closed. Even when your refrigerator is on, as much as 30% of the cold air can escape when you open the door. When the power is out, your refrigerator can't replace this lost air, so constantly opening the door during a power outage will cause your food to spoil much quicker than just leaving it closed.
• Insulate your refrigerator. It seems counterintuitive, but covering your refrigerator in thick blankets can help it stay cold for longer. If you don't have extra blankets, newspaper makes a great insulator as well. Make sure not to cover the rear vents in case the power turns back on overnight or while you are away.
• Check the chart. FoodSafety.gov has a chart which lays out their recommended guidelines for handling refrigerated food after a power outage. It is important to know which food items can be spared and which need to go.

• When it doubt, throw it out. This is the golden rule of food safety; if you are unsure whether or not something is okay to consume, play it safe and throw it away. No dinner is worth food poisoning and a trip to the hospital.

These tips can also apply to other situations where your refrigerator isn't working – such as when it breaks. In this case, the best way to keep your food from spoiling is by getting your appliance fixed as soon as possible. Luckily for residents of Long Island, Speedy Subzero refrigerator repairs guarantees one hour service to Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Our phone lines are always open, call us anytime at 866-782-9376 to schedule your repair.

Why You Should Own a Chest Freezer

Unless you are living by yourself, the freezer compartment of your refrigerator probably doesn't provide a sufficient amount of space to store your frozen goods. If you are tired of stuffing food in your freezer trying to make it fit or rearranging everything after each trip to the grocery store, it may be time to invest in a chest freezer. Chest freezers not only provide the convenience of extra storage space, they offer some money saving benefits as well.

Read below to learn about the advantages of owning a chest freezer.

Added Storage Space

Adding a chest freezer to your house gives you a generous amount of added storage space for frozen food, offering not only convenience, but economic benefits as well. With the extra space that a chest freezer provides, you will be able stock up on meat and vegetables when they are on sale and take less trips to the grocery store, saving both time and gas.

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy efficiency, chest freezers do not disappoint; they consume about 50% less electricity than their upright counterparts. Why, you ask? Two reasons; the first is that cold air sinks. Since chest freezers open from the top, very little cold air escapes when you open them, allowing them to consume less energy to keep cold. The second reason is that when a chest freezer is closed, gravity is constantly pulling down on the door, creating a very strong seal and making it nearly impossible for warm air to enter. In fact, during a power outage, a chest freezer can keep your food frozen for 48-72 hours!

If you liked this article, be sure to like Speedy Subzero on Facebook; we are constantly posting tips and advice to help make your life in the kitchen a little bit easier and safer.

For more than 75 years, Long Island residents have trusted Speedy Subzero with their refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, and wine cooler repairs. Our fully-licensed technicians have the knowledge to repair any make or model of appliance and we guarantee one-hour service to Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Our lines are always open, so call us any time to schedule a same-day repair at 866-782-9376.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Refrigerator

The average lifespan of a brand new refrigerator is roughly 15 years, but only if it is properly taken care of. If you misuse or neglect your refrigerator, you could find yourself back in the appliance store in as little as 8. If you have recently purchased a new fridge, you know that they aren't cheap. Use these five tips to protect your investment and get the most out of your refrigerator.

• Keep it at the right temperature. If you find your food constantly spoiling before the expiration date or your milk keeps freezing, it is likely that you need to adjust your refrigerator's thermostat. It is recommended to keep your fridge between 34-39°F to minimize bacteria growth and maximize the shelf life of your food.  
• Stock smartly. Even if your thermostat is set to the recommended climate, different zones inside of the refrigerator will vary in temperature. For instance, the refrigerator door is usually the warmest area, and the bottom shelf is usually the coldest. Where in the fridge you store your food can impact how long it stays fresh, learn how to properly stock your refrigerator here.

• Clean it regularly. Tidying up your refrigerator every week will help keep it looking, running, and smelling like new. It doesn't have to be a long process; here is how to give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning in 20 minutes or less.

• Avoid keeping the door open. Every time you open your refrigerator door, as much as 50% of the cold air escapes. This number can be even higher when you leave the door open for long periods of time. By minimizing the amount of times you open your refrigerator door and how long you keep it open for, you can reduce the workload on your compressor and extend the lifespan of your appliance.
• Do basic maintenance. Just like your car needs to have its oil changed every 5,000 miles, there are some basic tasks you can do to keep your refrigerator running efficiently. Vacuum the condenser coils on the back of your unit every six months to remove any dust which has built up and periodically test the strength of the door seal. To do this, close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill – if you can easily remove the bill or slide it up and down, it is time to replace your gasket.

If your refrigerator is leaking, making loud noises, or otherwise malfunctioning, you may be able to get it repaired for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. If you live in New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, or New Jersey, help is just a phone call away with Speedy Subzero. We offer same-day appointments and one-hour service in emergency situations, so give us a call any time at 866-782-9376.

Freshen Up Your Fridge! Eliminate Bad Odors With These Three Methods

Fridge odors are something that we all have to deal with sooner or later. With the variety of foods that are stored in your refrigerator, it is only a matter of time before something starts to stink. If your fridge is offending your nostrils, use these three tips to freshen it up.

Ransack the Rubbish

The main cause for a smelly refrigerator is simply expired food. Many times, raw meat or old eggs can be pushed to the back of fridge and forgotten about for weeks – until they start stinking up your whole kitchen. If your fridge reeks to high heaven, conduct a full clean out and throw away any foods which have spoiled. Then take the garbage outside immediately to prevent the smell from spreading to your whole house.

Use Airtight Packaging

Sometimes, food doesn't need to be expired to give off foul odors. Many times, leftovers which are still good (I'm looking at you, pizza) smell strongly enough to overwhelm your entire refrigerator. Prevent this from happening to you by storing all leftovers in airtight containers; this will not only help control the smell, it will keep your food fresh for longer too.

Mask the Smell With Natural Ingredients

If the smell is bad enough, it will stick around even after the food is gone. If this is the case in your kitchen, use some natural remedies to cover up the stench. Baking soda and coffee grounds work well at absorbing odors, and ingredients such as vanilla, and cinnamon can overpower most bad aromas.

Speedy Subzero has been repairing refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers on Long Island for more than 75 years. Our trained technicians can repair any make or model of appliance, and we guarantee one-hour service in emergency situations. Our phone lines are always open, so call us any time at 866-782-9376.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Your Refrigerator

For something that you use every day, how much do you really know about your refrigerator? It has been called the Greatest Invention in the History of Food and is found in over 99% of homes across the country, yet most people don't know anything about it other than that it keeps their food cold.

Read these five refrigerator-related facts – we guarantee that you'll learn something. 

1. It can account for over 10% of your monthly electric bill.

Your refrigerator is the only appliance in your home which runs 24/7, which means it is one of the household's top energy consumers. There are things you can do to reduce how much electricity your refrigerator uses, click here see them.

2. Fuller is (usually) better.

Your refrigerator and your freezer both work better when you keep them well-stocked. This is because the more cold food you have inside, the better it maintains its temperature when the door is opened. Don't over-stuff them though, as this could hinder air circulation and lead to warm spots. Shoot to keep your refrigerator ~80% full at all times.

3. You should keep your refrigerator between 34-39°F.

Many new refrigerators have a built-in temperature display, but if yours doesn't you can purchase a refrigerator thermometer for less than $10. It is recommended to keep your refrigerator's temperature higher than 33° to prevent your food and drinks from freezing, but lower than 40° to minimize bacteria growth.

4. November 15^th is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.

Every year on November 15^th, homeowners are encouraged to thoroughly wash and clean out their refrigerators. This not only keeps your appliance looking like new, it prevents health risks associated with spoiled food. At Speedy Subzero, we recommend following this cleaning routine every month to keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape.

5. More than 8 million refrigerators are sold each year in America.

The best-selling refrigerator style every year is the top-freezer model, due to its practicality and relatively low price. If you are planning on buying a new refrigerator to replace a broken unit, it may first be worth seeing if you can get yours repaired for a fraction of the price.

If you live in New York City or Long Island and are experiencing a malfunctioning refrigerator, look no further than Speedy Subzero. For more than 75 years, homeowners in New York have trusted us to repair their refrigerators, freezers, ice-makers, and wine coolers. No matter the brand, no matter the model, we can fix it for you! Our lines are always open, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.