Appliance Newsletter #7

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Appliance Insights

Issue #7 | Curated by Pine Pienaar

This Week's Main Insight: Efficiency Is Becoming the New Baseline, Not a Premium Feature

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International Market

I. LG makes high-efficiency the standard, not the flagship perk.
At IFA 2026 in Berlin (4–8 September), LG Electronics is extending its top-tier energy-saving technology — previously reserved for flagship models — across its broader laundry, refrigerator, and dishwasher lineup, with many models exceeding A-grade ratings. The message from LG's Home Appliance Solution Company is clear: energy efficiency is moving from a premium differentiator to a portfolio-wide expectation, which should mean more affordable efficient options trickling down for everyone, not just top-spec buyers.

II. LG's Fit & Max design language spreads beyond fridges.
Also ahead of IFA 2026, LG confirmed its "Fit Space, Max Life" concept — previously limited to select refrigerators — is expanding into washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. The idea is simple: smaller footprint, same or greater usable capacity. Worth watching if a client's kitchen or laundry space is tight but they don't want to compromise on load size.

III. Component supply is shifting closer to home.
Following on from GE Appliances' announcement that its next-generation connected laundry line will run on US-built Texas Instruments microcontrollers from 2027, more manufacturers are re-examining where their smart electronics get made. For repair techs, that likely means new control-board part numbers and diagnostics to learn as these units start reaching service life in a few years.

South African Market

I. KIC answers rising energy costs with a new efficiency-led washer.
In July, KIC South Africa (a Whirlpool brand) launched the KFL 812 GR — an 8kg front-loader with Steam+ and an A+++ energy rating. It's a clear sign that established local brands are leaning on efficiency-per-kWh as their main pitch against imported competitors, at a time when electricity tariffs remain the biggest factor in local buying decisions.

II. Hisense's Western Cape factory is its buffer against global price hikes.
While Samsung and other global brands warn of price increases from rising component costs, Hisense says its 27,000m² Atlantis facility — producing around 500,000 fridges and a million TVs a year — is helping it keep South African pricing stable by cutting reliance on imports. It's a good reminder for clients asking why some brands' prices are moving while others aren't: local manufacturing footprint matters more than ever right now.

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From Me

This week's appliance: Refrigerators

Vacuum or brush down the condenser coils at the back or underneath your fridge every three to six months. Dust buildup on the coils forces the compressor to work harder to shed heat, which quietly pushes up your electricity bill and shortens compressor life — the same efficiency story brands like LG and KIC are chasing with new tech, you can get part of that saving for free with a five-minute clean.

Recycling reminder: LG South Africa runs a free e-waste collection and recycling service for old LG appliances through its Circular Energy partnership — a legal requirement under SA's EPR Regulations that most households never actually use. Samsung's trade-in scheme covers over 6,000 eligible devices too, not just phones. And it's worth knowing: since 2021, it's been illegal to send e-waste like old fridges, washers, and microwaves to landfill in South Africa — eWASA-licensed recyclers (Desco, Reclite, Wasteplan) and E-Waste Africa's 200+ drop-off points take household appliances free of charge instead.

I go into more detail on coil cleaning and other quick efficiency wins on the blog — worth a look before your next Eskom bill lands: highpoint.blogspot.com

Cheers,

Pine Pienaar
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) — All Appliance Repairs

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Dishwasher motor Humming

The Eastern Cape has become one of the most preferred holiday destination in South Africa. Which means that more people are buying holiday homes with appliances that is standing in dormant for the most year. This slumbering periods has all sorts of negative-effects on domestic appliances

Lg Dishwasher Motor

Household appliances are social bodies and they just love been around people. They also at their happiest when you use them - they are meant to be open and closed all day long. 

All they ask in return is a little Tender loving care (TLC). A hot soapy rub will do wonders for their outer and in return they will shine for you.

What about the inner-side of Domestic Appliance?

Most appliances just can't handle the loneliness of been left alone at home for weeks, without someone to use or talk to them. 

Appliances handle these isolation period difficultly. Some fall to pieces and rust away. Other just cracked and start leaking.

Worse some just seize-up. The electric-pump-motors seize up because a little bit of soap residue that was left behind (unknowingly) in the pump

Soap and water are the best supplements you can give your Dishwasher and Washing machine but like most supplements if not taken at the right time it can mess things up.

After the dishwasher/washing machine has drained its water on the last cycle, it always leaves behind some little soapy-water in the hoses. Once the water has evaporated over a period of time - the soap chemical now acts as glue, gluing together the seals onto pulsator shaft. When you want to use the appliance again after many weeks it only humm's.

• Humming after - The machine takes in water but once it should go over to was cycle nothing happens. The faint humming noise is telling you that the motor is stuck (glued) and cannot turn. Whatever you do do not switch it on again because you could cause the motor to overheat and burnout. 
•  Humming before - taking in water means it is the drain pump that has gone on the blink. In most cleaing appliances the drain pump is the first part that comes in operation once the machine is switch on.

In both cases call your local professional appliance repairer too service the appliance before any real damage is done.

This now raises another question, "How do one prevent this scenario from occurring"

Unfortunately I do not really have an answer how you can prevent this "glue-ing" from happening but over the years of repairing appliances I have come across many people that does different things to their appliance to prevent storage-damage.

• Vinegar- pour half a cup of white vinegar in the dishwasher or washing machine after it has done its final rinse
• Bleach - the hypochlorite in the bleach also acts as a neutralizer for the soap
• Draining - Putting the drain hose flat on the ground, letting all the water run out

Do you have a better method of preventing 'glueing". Please send us your suggestions

In the meantime enjoy your coastal holiday

www.pinepienaar.info