A refrigerator operates nonstop to keep items like chocolates, fruits, dairy products, meat, and vegetables safe from spoilage. But everything could go awry if the electricity goes out or the fridge mechanism fails unexpectedly. Even in the cold months, when you need your fridge the least, it might ruin all your perishables. However, you can make your refrigerator last longer by following simple maintenance procedures.
Here’s how you can maintain your refrigerator:
Defrost
While some refrigerators defrost themselves automatically, others must manually remove the ice and frost. When ice builds up on the freezer walls to a depth of one centimeter or more, it is necessary to defrost the appliance manually.
To defrost food manually, remove it from the freezer, turn off the power, and let the ice melt at room temperature. Once you’ve cleaned, restarted, and waited for the temperature to return to normal, you can put food back inside.
Plates in automated defrost refrigerators gather the thawing liquid. Keep these plates emptied and clean at all times.
Making the right temperature changes
The cooling system will always be on if you keep your refrigerator at an extremely low temperature. The compressor is overworked, and electricity costs rise as a result. Keeping the fridge at the temperature suggested by the maker is the best course of action.
Replacing or cleaning the door seal
A gasket is a term that describes the seal around a door. Over time, this rubber seal may wear down and prevent the door from shutting.
To start with, make sure nothing is blocking the door. Afterward, use a cloth dampened with a cleaning solution to wipe the area surrounding the door. Door problems or damage surrounding the seal are signs that the gasket needs replacement. Small tears can be patched very quickly with petroleum jelly. Multiple tears indicate the need for a replacement.
If you want to replace the door seal entirely, using the proper seal is important. You can find it in the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website. Remove the old gasket from the refrigerator’s perimeter, double-check your measurements, and cut only what you need to replace it. Before beginning any refrigerator installation, make sure to unplug the appliance.
Remember to close the fridge door
Do not leave the refrigerator door open while you get something out. The refrigerator continues to hum even when you close the door. To counteract the warm air that has found its way inside.
The longer you open the refrigerator door, the more warm air can seep inside. This makes the condenser coil work constantly to maintain a safe temperature within the refrigerator. For this reason, it causes the unit’s cooling system to strain, which results in increased energy consumption.
Keeping the condenser coils clean
The refrigerator’s coils are a good place to start when performing maintenance. If your refrigerator works overtime to keep your perishables cool, you may feel the heat emanating from the appliance’s rear.
Before doing anything else, check if any cardboard or other debris obstructs your refrigerator’s rear. After that, remove any dust or buildup from the back of your refrigerator with a vacuum and bristle brush. You should do this at least twice a year, before and after the summer months, when your fridge will have been put through its paces. A new refrigerator may be in order if you observe that your current one exerts unusual effort.
Cleaning the interior of your refrigerator
Cleaning a refrigerator once a week is recommended. Use warm water, a damp cloth, and a cleaner to wash down the sticky food remnants and spills inside the refrigerator.
Refrigerator deodorization
Unfortunately, refrigerators are not immune to the development of unpleasant odors. These can have a devastating impact on the quality of the food stored inside. Most people use baking soda to eliminate odors from their refrigerators. Unfortunately, its effects won’t persist for very long.
Some companies have recognized a need in the market and responded by developing refrigerator deodorizers. These deodorants have a half-century advantage over baking soda, and you can use them for up to six months without reapplication.
Keeping the distance between the fridge and the wall
If you want to put the fridge up against a wall, make sure there’s at least an inch of space between them. It ensures that heat from the refrigerator may escape unimpeded. If your refrigerator has a condenser coil in the back, you’ll need to make room for it, while if it’s at the bottom, a fridge stand can help.
Don’t block the vents
When you purchase a refrigerator, you can fill it up to its maximum capacity and keep doing this over and over again. But this is where your refrigerator’s efficiency will really start to suffer. Filling a refrigerator has the unfortunate side effect of blocking the vents circulating chilled air within the fridge.
Among other things, this will lead to a higher energy cost. This is because the refrigerator will become less efficient and require more power. Keeping a refrigerator in good working order for a long time requires clearing some space inside of it so that air may circulate freely.
Tips to make the refrigerator last longer
Aside from routine maintenance, there are some easy techniques to gauge whether or not you’re asking too much for your refrigerator. While they will help your refrigerator last longer, regular maintenance is still crucial.
- Never put anything too heavy on top of your refrigerator. This may reduce the effectiveness of the device in cooling the rear coils.
- Protect it from excessive heat. Keep your refrigerator away from any heat sources, including the stove and the vents in your home.
- Never stuff your refrigerator or leave it empty. This will force the refrigerator to work too hard or cause it to be kept at an unnecessarily low temperature.
When Should I Get a New Refrigerator?
Every home needs a reliable refrigerator, which only lasts for a while. Under ideal conditions, a refrigerator may keep food cold for up to 19 years.
The good news is that most home warranties include coverage for repairing or replacing appliances, including refrigerators. No matter how old your home systems or appliances are, they are all within the scope of coverage provided by your house warranty.
If your refrigerator’s coils are warm to the touch or if the interior temperature rises above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s probably time to replace it.
Conclusion
If you take the time to implement all of these preventative maintenance measures, you can increase the refrigerator’s efficiency without spending a fortune. There would be a major impact on the monthly electricity bill from even the most minor changes. It would also help in reducing energy use significantly.
