A refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your home. Without it, your food will go bad. So, you want to make sure that the fridge is in good condition. But do refrigerators need maintenance? If so, what kind of activities will you need to do? After some research, here’s what I discovered.
There are a few maintenance activities that you should be performing. First, you’ll need to check the seals on the door. You’ll need to clean the condenser coils and remove deposits from the drip pan. You might also need to change your water filter. Often, this will take just a few hours every three months.
If you want to extend the life of your fridge and keep it running smoothly, there are a few things you need to know. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important maintenance tasks that you will need to perform.
How Often Should you Maintain Your Refrigerator?
Maintenance is the key to keeping your fridge running for a long time. Thankfully, you won’t need to spend a long time taking care of it. Most of the tasks will only take you a few hours.
To make sure that you don’t forget to maintain your fridge you might want to place a reminder in your calendar. It’s often a good idea to book in a few hours every three months. This will give you enough time to do the maintenance you need. It will also allow you to spot any potential issues in advance.
How can you Check Your Door Seals?
One of the most important maintenance activities is to make sure that you’re checking the seals in your doors. If the seals start to loosen, the hot air will start to seep into the fridge. This will force the motor to work harder to keep the fridge cool.
Because of this, you’ll need to keep the seals clean. You might need to use a toothbrush to clean the grime out of the seals. If it’s too hard to dislodge, you might need to use a cleaning solution. This can be made from baking soda and water.
The easiest way to check your seals is by placing a dollar bill halfway in and halfway out of the fridge. Then close the door. Try to pull on the bill. If you can’t pull it free, the seals are tight. If it comes out easily, it might be time to think about replacing the seals.
Some of the most common signs that you will need to replace the seals are if it starts to crack or it gets torn. It should be pliable. If you do need to replace the seals, you can order them on the manufacturer’s website. You’ll just need to know the brand and model of the fridge that you purchased.
Once you get the new seals, leave them to soak in hot water. This will make them more pliable, so it will be easier to attach them to the fridge. Then, you’ll need to remove the old seal. You might need to use a screwdriver to loosen the screws holding it in place. Lastly, you’ll need to put on the new seals. Before doing this, you might need to read the instruction manual. This will tell you the series of steps that you’ll need to follow.
How can I Clean the Condenser Coils?
It’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of the condenser coils. These are the part of the fridge that is responsible for dispersing the refrigerant. To do this, you’ll need to undo the panel at the back of the fridge. Often, you’ll just need a screwdriver to open it.
Before you start cleaning, turn off the fridge. Then, you’ll need to use a damp cloth in soapy water. This will allow you to remove all the dirt and grime that has accumulated on the coils. Once the coils are clean, you’ll need to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any dust. Leave the coils to dry. Finally, seal up the panel and turn the fridge back on.
If you start to notice that the fridge is making any unusual noises, check the condenser coils. In some cases, they will need to be cleaned. If this doesn’t solve the problem, they might need to be replaced. You’ll need to call in a professional to do this for you.
Should I Change the Deposits From the Drip Pan?
Though the door might be closed, there is still a chance that there will be condensation inside the fridge. Because of this, the fridges will need to come up with a way of dealing with the excess moisture. Often, this means using a drip pan. This will often be built into the fridge. Over time it will get filled up with water it will need to be cleaned.
The way that you’ll need to deal with the drip pan will depend on the type of fridge that you purchased. It’s often a good idea to consult with the manufacturer’s instructions. If you search online, you might be able to find a YouTube video showing you how to access and change the drip pan.
Once you’ve removed the drip pan, you’ll need to scrub it with a fine bristled brush. This will allow you to remove any mineral deposits that had built-up on it. Leave it to dry. Then put it back in the fridge. You’ll only need to do this once every six months.
Should I Level My Fridge?
It’s important to make sure that your fridge is on level ground. There are a few reasons for this. First, it can lead to problems with the doors. It might cause issues with the seal. This can cause the motor to strain, as it works harder to keep the fridge cool. It might also mean that there is more condensation inside the fridge, as the moisture can get through the seal.
Thankfully, this is an easy problem for you to address. All you need is to do is keep the fridge level. Place a level on top of the fridge. Check that there isn’t leaning from side to side. Then, make sure that the front and back are at the same level.
If the fridge isn’t level, you’ll need to adjust the legs on the bottom. Often, you’ll be able to do this by hand. If you can’t, you might need to use a wrench to loosen the legs a little. Make any adjustments small. Often, the fridge won’t be leaning at a pronounced angle so you won’t need to adjust it much.
Do I Need to Change the Water Filter on my Fridge?
Many people like to have a fridge that delivers cold water and/or ice cubes. However, this means that you’ll be using filters. You’ll need to replace them regularly. If you don’t do this, there’s the potential that the water could get clogged up. In some cases, the old filter might start leaking.
Thankfully, replacing a water filter is a fairly simple job. In this case, you’ll need to purchase a new filter. Often, you’ll need to search for one that will be compatible with your fridge. Once you’ve got a new one, you’ll need to remove the old filter. Consult the owner’s manual. This will contain detailed steps, to make sure that you’re doing it properly.
After you’ve put in the new filter, run some water through it. This will allow you to check that it’s working properly. Often, the first few gallons will be a bit cloudy. This is caused by the carbon in the filter and is normal. Once it turns clear, it’s safe to drink. The new filter should last for around six months. Though this might vary depending on how often you get water from the fridge.
While you’re changing the filter, check out the ice bin. This is where the ice cubes will be stored. In some cases, the cubes at the top will be used, but the older ones at the bottoms won’t be. Because of this, they can turn into a solid block of ice. If this has happened, break up, then remove the ice. You might need to check this once a month. Empty the bin and allow it to fill up again.
Should I Keep My Fridge Full?
One of the most important maintenance tips is to make sure that you are keeping your fridge full. Though it sounds a little odd, there are a few reasons why this is a good idea. Fridges are designed to be full. This is because of thermal mass. Put simply, bigger items like drinks will absorb the heat when the fridge is open. Because of this, when you close the door, it will be easier to keep everything cool.
If you are struggling to keep the fridge filled up, you might want to consider downsizing. This will get you better performance, and cut your electricity bills. If you want to stick with the fridge you have, you can fill up some bottles with water and keep them in the fridge. This will add thermal mass, so the fridge can function the way it should.
What Temperature Should My Refrigerator Be?
You must try to keep your fridge set to the right temperature. This is a simple way that you can make sure that you’re getting the best performance. Generally, it’s best to keep the fridge to set to between 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 to 4.4 degrees Celsius). If you have a freezer, you’ll want to make sure that it’s set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.7 degrees Celsius).
In most cases, modern fridges will allow you to set the temperature. However, if it doesn’t, you’ll be able to get a small thermometer. You’ll be able to insert this into your fridge. It should be a steady temperature. If it’s constantly running, but the temperature isn’t decreasing, you might need to examine the compressor coils. They might need to be replaced.
How do I Stop my Fridge From Smelling Bad?
Though you might try to keep the fridge in good condition, it’s still possible that it might start to develop some unpleasant smells. This is often because of the food. To try to prevent this, you might want to keep the food covered. This will also limit the number of spills that you need to clean up.
However, the key to making sure that your fridge doesn’t develop an unpleasant odor is by adding some baking soda. This will absorb the unpleasant smells. You might need to swap out the baking soda once a month.
How Long Should my Fridge Last?
The main reason why most people perform maintenance is to keep their appliances functioning properly. This will help them stay working for a long time. How long you can expect your fridge to last will often depend on the type of fridge that you have selected. For example, built-in fridges will last the longest. In some cases, they can stay working after 35 years.
As a general rule, though, a fridge will last for around 10 to 15 years. In most cases, once it reaches 15 years old it will be too expensive to repair the components. Because of this, most people will end up purchasing a new device.
Final Thoughts
Though you don’t need to spend hours caring for your fridge, there are a few simple maintenance activities that you should be doing. If you do this, you’ll be able to keep your fridge running smoothly. This will ensure that it will last for many years and you won’t have any issues.