photo by barron
Taking good care of your refrigerator will help it last longer, run more efficiently and save energy. If your refrigerator isn’t properly cared for it can overwork and not cool as efficiently as it is designed to.
Use these tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your refrigerator:
Keep your refrigerator full, but don’t overfill.
If you overfill your refrigerator the cold air won’t be able to circulate and some food may get warmer than others.
Never use a refrigerator with a freezer in an area colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit make the compressor run less. This is okay for the refrigerator, but the freezer won’t be cold enough. If it’s colder than 40 degrees the compressor will stop altogether and the food in the freezer will begin to defrost. If the temperature then drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit any water that was melted will freeze again and may block essential parts of the freezer system.
Never use an extension cord or converter plug.
Your refrigerator should always be plugged into the wall to avoid burning up the compressor. If you must use an extension cord you should consult the manual or contact a professional.
Keep your refrigerator away from heat.
To prevent overheating you should keep your refrigerator away from your range, a radiator or a window in direct sunlight. You also want to make sure nothing is restricting the airflow to the motor, compressor or coils. It’s also a bad idea to put a refrigerator on carpet because carpet restricts air flow and retains heat.
Clean your refrigerator regularly.
Remove all food and any shelves or parts that come out.
Wash everything with baking soda or a mild detergent and rise with water. Clean the door gasket, rise and dry it as well. Do not use anything abrasive. Dry and replace the shelves and parts you took out. Replace the food.
Keep the area around your refrigerator clean.
You should sweep or vacuum around and under your refrigerator often to allow the unit to get good airflow.
Clean your condenser coils.
You should clean your condenser coils at least twice a year (especially if you live in a warm climate). Gently brush off any buildup that may have accumulated.
Clean your seals.
Clean seals are important to keep your refrigerator running at the correct temperature and operating efficiently. In warm climates they should be cleaned every month to prevent mold from growing.
Turn off the ice maker when you vacation.
When you leave on vacation, turn off the ice maker, leave the refrigerator on, but throw out perishable food.
Always ship your refrigerator upright.
A refrigerator on its side can leak Freon, the substance it uses to cool, and it will cool less efficiently. If you place the refrigerator on its back you could damage the condenser coils. This could cause the compressor to stop working if you plug the unit in before the oil is drained out of the lines and the compressor.
These tips can be used to save energy and prolong the life of your refrigerator.
If you need a new refrigerator you should buy an Energy Star model to save even more energy. If you replace a refrigerator that was made prior to 1993 with a new Energy Star Model you could cut the energy it takes to run your refrigerator in half.
If you have any tips to add please leave a comment.
To schedule a Free Energy Analysis please call 866-284-8604
