5 min read
Moving your fridge, washing machine, AC and TV
How to prepare big appliances so they work the day you arrive.
Refrigerator
- The day before, empty it, switch it off and let the freezer defrost; wipe it dry so water doesn't leak in transit.
- Remove or tape loose shelves and trays, and tape the doors shut.
- It should travel upright. After it's placed, let it stand before switching on - a few hours if it stayed upright, a full 24 hours if it was laid on its side - so the compressor oil settles.
- Give it a few hours to cool down before you put food back in.
Washing machine
- Run a short empty cycle, then drain it completely and disconnect the inlet and outlet pipes.
- Front-loaders: fit the transit bolts that came with the machine (check the manual) - they stop the drum swinging and damaging the suspension.
- Pack the hoses and bolts in a bag taped to the machine so nothing goes missing.
Air conditioner
- Get a technician to uninstall it: the gas is 'pumped down' into the outdoor unit first, so you don't have to pay for a gas refill later.
- Cap the pipes, keep the remote and screws together, and plan the reinstallation at the new home in advance.
TV and electronics
- Use the original box if you still have it; otherwise foam or bubble wrap with a hard cover over the screen.
- Transport flat-screen TVs upright, never lying flat, and never put weight on the screen.
- Take a photo of the cable connections at the back before unplugging - it makes setup at the new place quick.
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