What to Look for if you want the Best Refrigerator Repair Services in Portland
Did you know that refrigerators in U.S. homes used a whopping 87 billion kWh in 2018? That’s about 6% of the entire U.S. residential sector electricity consumption for that year!
So, if you’re paying a monthly average of $99.99 for your electricity bill in Portland, about $6 of that is for your fridge.
Super cheap, right? Yes, but only if your fridge is working right. If it’s old or faulty, it will cost you far more than only $72 a year.
That said, be sure to look for a professional refrigerator repair in Portland as soon as you notice signs of a faulty unit. The big question here is, what exactly should you look for in a fridge repair company? What qualifications make them your best choice?
All that, we’ll cover in this post, so be sure to keep reading!
Hire Only a Licensed Appliance Repair Company
In Oregon, any business that conducts on-site appliance repair requires a license. They need to get their Construction Contractors License from the Construction Contractors Board. That said, make sure you ask the appliance repair company to show you a copy of their license! In fact, look for licensure for all appliance repair services you need. To ensure that the license is still valid and up to date, check the documents’ details with the CCB.
A license doesn’t only ensure the business is operating in Portland legally. It also protects you from possible shoddy work that unlicensed technicians may perform. First, because licensure requires showing the board a certificate of experience. For repair technicians to get certified, they need to have had appropriate experience. Also, that license will make it easier for the state to track the repair company in case of complaints.
Look for CFC Certification (For Older Fridges)
Refrigerators have an average life span of 13 years. So, if you have a 10-year-old refrigerator not working, you can still opt to get it repaired. But being a decade-old unit, it’s possible that it’s still using the R22 refrigerant. It’s a type of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that the EPA will phase out by January 01, 2020. HCFCs are a type of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), which contributed to ozone depletion.
Environmental hazards aside, direct exposure can also cause skin and eye irritation. In some cases, it can even cost frostbites!
This is why Oregon requires fridge repair technicians to have a CFC certificate. So, make sure you hire a CFC-certified tech if you bought your fridge before January 01, 2010.
Has Updated Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Policies
In Oregon, liability insurance is a legal requirement for all businesses. All their employees need to have workers compensation too. In fact, they wouldn’t get licensed if they didn’t submit proof of these types of coverage!
But this doesn’t mean that all appliance repair companies keep their policies up-to-date. So, before you sign that repair contract, ask them to provide details of their policy first. Then, ring up their insurer to confirm that their insurance is still valid.
Why go through all the trouble though?
First, because these policies protect property owners from bodily and property damage liabilities. Let’s say the technician gets into an accident while fixing your unit’s wires. This led to him sustaining injuries and also causing burn marks on your floor.
If the company you hired has liability insurance, it’ll cover the costs of the accident. These include the medical bills for the tech’s injuries and the repairs for your floor.
Worker’s compensation also covers hospital and medical expenses. But it also ensures that the repair technician will still get paid if he needs to take some days off due to injuries.
Note that such accidents are rare for highly-experienced fridge repair professionals. But it’s best to err on the side of caution and still hire only a licensed repair company.
Many Years of Experience
You want to hire an appliance repair company that’s been in business for more than a couple of years. First, because this means they’re already established and financially-stable. Their “establishment” means they have a loyal customer base, which signals quality service.
After all, they won’t last long if they didn’t provide exceptional service.
Also, the more experience they have, the faster they can pinpoint the root of the fridge problem. Plus, the more experienced they are, the more likely they can deal with unusual fridge issues.
Same-Day Scheduling and Servicing
Did you know that food that’s been sitting for two hours in a temp between 40 and 140 °F can already be full of bacteria? That range, known as the “Danger Zone”, is when bacteria goes through rapid growth.
So, if you’re having a “refrigerator not cold” issue, that means the food in it may already be dangerous to eat! It’s even worse if you took out perishables because your refrigerator is not working. Especially considering that Portland’s temperature can go as high as 80 F.
That’s why you should look for a fridge repair service that offers same-day appointments. This way, you can get the appliance fixed the same day, preventing more food wastage. The earlier you get your fridge repaired, the less money you’ll waste on spoiled food.
Offers Warranties for Refrigerator Repair in Portland
Only the best appliance repair professionals offer guarantees and warranties. These prove that they’re confident with the quality of their work.
At the same time, they know that in rare cases, some appliances can act up even after getting repaired. As such, they offer a free follow-up repair in case things like this happen.
Get Your Fridge Repaired Now
All these are vital qualifications you need to look for in a refrigerator repair in Portland. Be sure not to skip even one of them, especially the CFC certification for older fridges. CFC handling requires specialized tools, and only those with certification can use them.
Ready to get your fridge up and running again, and as soon as possible? Then please don’t hesitate to connect with us now! If you call early in the day, we may be able to service your fridge within the same day.
