Appliances are not cheap. Taking the time to provide proper care and maintenance for them can improve their lifespan, minimize the need for repairs and keep them in optimal condition. With so many appliances in your home to keep running smoothly, performing maintenance should be fairly routine. At this time, we at Southwest Appliance Repair of San Antonio would like to discuss refrigerator maintenance tips and advice to help you keep the fridge running at peak performance.
Importance Uses of Refrigerator in Everyday Life
The refrigerator, one of the more pricey appliances, and most important, is one of the appliances that work the hardest. It operates 24/7 to preserve your food, medications, and more of life’s necessities. Not only could your food spoil if the refrigerator takes a dive, but you could be facing increased energy bills, surface damage in proximity to the fridge and ineffective medications. Keeping your refrigerator in excellent condition is essential. Below, you will find the basic maintenance steps to achieving the goal.
Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist
Clean Condenser Coils. The coils are located behind or underneath the refrigerator and they need to be cleaned free from dust and debris at least every 6 months if not more. If the coils are blanketed with dust and debris, they are unable to function properly. To clean the coils, unplug the refrigerator and wait for the coils to cool down, it doesn’t take long. If you are uncertain what condenser coils are and their exact location, consult your manual. Utilize the furniture attachments and the hose of your vacuum to effectively clean the filth off of the coils.
Monitor Fridge Temperature. The temperatures in your refrigerator should be set between 37-40 degrees. Keep in mind, the warm food placed inside absorbs the cool air. Avoid opening the doors too much, or leaving them open if possible to regulate the temperature inside the fridge. Before placing in leftover food, let them cool down first. Warm food inside the fridge will cause a spike in temperature, making your fridge work harder to cool things down at the designated temperature. Keep in mind that temperature gauges with a dial and number selection from 1-5 are undependable. If you have one, routinely utilize a temperature monitor, or sensor to better manage the correct temperature.
Inspect Rubber Gaskets. The rubber gaskets and/or door seals will deteriorate overtime or become loose. To ensure your refrigerator is compensating for leaking cool air, inspect the rubber gaskets and if they have decayed or become loose, get it replaced. Every 3 months be sure to cleaning it with warm soapy water.
Interior Fridge Cleaning. The interior of your fridge including the handles, shelves, drawers and door slots should be washed on weekly bases or as often as you can afford the time. Any crumbs, spills and sticky residues cleaned. If odors are dominant, place a small box of baking soda to absorb pungent odors and to keep the any food from collecting the bad odor.
Quick Note: During a power outage, keep the opening of the fridge to a minimum. Every time it opens cool air escapes and with the power down, cool air is not being produced. To keep the cool air inside and prolong the preservation of the contents, keep the doors closed.
Refrigerator Appliance Inspections, Maintenance & Repairs in Cedar Park, Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Frisco, Allen Plano, Dallas & San Antonio, Texas
If your refrigerator is not operating at its full potential, call in the professionals of Southwest Appliance Repair of San Antonio for appliance repairs.
