Meet Emery: The Dryer Repair Pro Who Wanted to Be an Astronaut & Musician!

Your dryer is running, but the clothes come out damp. Or maybe the oven works perfectly, except on the days it doesn’t. Few things are more frustrating than an appliance that can’t decide whether it’s broken.

That’s the kind of puzzle Emery gets excited about. He just joined our team recently and he is already the person you’d want standing in your laundry room when something goes wrong. From childhood dreams of exploring outer space to a love of music, here's a closer look at the person behind the tool

It All Started with Roller Coasters

At seven, Emery wanted to be an astronaut. The reason? Roller coasters. Space seemed like the ultimate ride.

The ambition turned out to be a good fit for appliance repair. “I’ve always enjoyed understanding how things work, and fixing something gives me a real sense of accomplishment,” they say. Appliance repair let them put that curiosity to work, and no spacesuit was required.

Favorite Brands and Trickiest Machines

Ask a technician about their favorite brand and you’ll get a strong opinion. Emery’s pick is Speed Queen: easy to work on and built to last.

The trickiest? Bosch tends to be the least user-friendly when it comes to repairs, which is a reminder that not every appliance is designed with the repair person in mind.

His most-used tool is a humble 1/4-inch socket. “With one of those, I can take apart just about any dryer.”

Emery’s specialties are dryers and ovens, and they know both well. On the cooking side, he can handle brands, including:

• Samsung

• LG

• Whirlpool

• Amana

• Maytag

• Jenn-Air

• GE

• Frigidaire

• Electrolux

Why “Just Swap the Part” Doesn’t Cut It

Here’s what Emery wishes more customers understood: “Appliance repair is about more than just replacing parts. It takes proper testing, patience, and experience to identify the actual cause of a problem.”

Replacing a part might seem like the obvious solution, but identifying which part is actually causing the problem takes knowledge and careful troubleshooting. Without proper testing, you could end up paying for a replacement you didn't need while the original issue remains unresolved.

Some of the trickiest repairs involve intermittent problems—those frustrating situations when an appliance works perfectly one minute and stops working the next.

How can you help your technician?

Before your appointment, take note of when the problem occurs. Does it happen only during certain cycles? Does the appliance stop working after running for a while? Does the issue come and go?

Even small details can provide valuable clues and help your technician get to the bottom of the problem faster.

Emery’s Tips for Making Appliances Last

Asked for the one habit that helps every homeowner, Emery didn’t hesitate: keep things clean. An appliance that looks like new tends to work like new.

• Check your dryer vents. Lint buildup is worth taking seriously because it affects how well your dryer works.

• Wipe up cooktop spills. Get them before they bake on and your stove (and your Saturday) will thank you.

• Keep the oven interior clean. Regular upkeep beats a big scrub-down later.

  
  

(Always unplug or switch off power before cleaning near an appliance’s components and check your manual for model-specific instructions.)

The Human Side: Cats, Chores, and Fixing Things for Friends

One of the unexpected perks of being an appliance technician? Meeting customers' furry family members!

"I love meeting all the different pets people have. They never miss an opportunity to investigate my work bag and sniff out all the places I've been!"

Apparently, the pets have their own inspection process, too!

When he's not on the job, Emery has two cats waiting for him at home: Zuko and Azula (yes, they're named after characters from the show!).

On his days off, he enjoys catching up on chores and occasionally fixing appliances for friends and family.

Apparently, being good at appliance repair means there's no escaping it—even on your days off!

And what about that childhood dream of becoming an astronaut? Does he have another career in mind if he could choose something completely different?

His answer: Music!

From exploring the universe to making music, Emery certainly has an adventurous and creative side.

Got a Stubborn Appliance?

Dryer that won’t heat? Oven with a mind of its own? Contact us to schedule a visit. And don’t be surprised if Emery gets a warm welcome from your pets!

• 📞 Call Our Team: 831-466-6095 (Fastest for emergency same-day booking)

• 💻 Book Instantly: Submit a Repair Request Online

• 🛒 Time for an Upgrade? If a repair isn't cost-effective, we'll tell you honestly. You can browse scratch-and-dent deals, new inventory, and financing options at www.santacruzappliance.com.