Refrigerators are designed to last for at least 10 years. Did you know that you can lengthen the life of your refrigerator? Here are some of the ways of going about it as given by appliance repair professionals:
Watch where you put the fridge
Where have you put your refrigerator? Studies show that many people don’t care much where they place their refrigerators. This not only leads to improperly functioning units, it also leads to accidents that damage the fridge, often to irreparable extents.
As rule of thumb, you should never place the fridge near an oven, under direct sunlight or near vents. Not all of us are blessed with large kitchens. If you can’t avoid placing the fridge near your oven, you should place an insulated board between the oven and fridge.
Also, consider having the blinds of your windows closed most of the time and closing the heat vent closest to the fridge.
When the kitchen is too small, some people opt to put the fridge in the garage or on the back porch. Don’t do this. Remember that the fridge tends to overheat when you place it in such a place. The best way of going about it is keeping the fridge in a climate controlled area such as the basement.
Keep the refrigerator clean
The next thing you need to do is to keep the refrigerator clean at all times. When spills happen, wipe and clean them as soon as possible. Getting rid of the spills is more important when you are dealing with meat juices and other materials that carry a lot of bacteria.
For you to reduce the chances of spills and cross-contamination, put the materials on the bottom shelf. For example, defrost the meat on the bottom shelf.
You also should keep both the insides and outside of the fridge clean at all times. Even when there are no spills, make a habit of removing all the food and give the unit a thorough cleaning, at least once a week.
When cleaning, pay attention to the coils. The coils are located on the back of the fridge. They play a vital role when it comes to the cooling of the food, but when they get dirty, they don’t do their work properly.
Dirty coils lead to the overworking of the motor and compressor which makes the refrigerator have a short life.
For you to clean the refrigerator you need to pull the fridge from the wall then using a brush or vacuum cleaner, give the coils a clean look. You should clean the coils every few months, but if you have pets or live in a very dusty place, clean them once a month.
Keep an eye on the amount of food you keep in the fridge
How much food should you keep in the fridge? This depends on the size of the fridge. If it’s large, store large amounts of food, and vice versa. You should avoid overloading the fridge as you tend to prevent adequate airflow.
At the same time, you should avoid running a near-empty refrigerator. When there is little food in the fridge, the appliance tends to use a lot of energy to keep it cool. For the food to cool fast, it needs to be close together.
For you to ensure that the fridge is functioning optimally, just put the right amount of food. You should neither overload it. You also should avoid running it while near empty.
Undertake regular inspections
Cleaning and running the fridge at maximum levels isn’t enough—you also need to regularly inspect the unit and fix any issues it might be having. At least twice a year, go through all the parts of the appliance and fix any faulty areas.
During the inspection, take a look at the gaskets and inspect them for gaps, tear, or oil leakage. You also should check the thermostat. Is it properly set? To prevent the food from spoiling, keep the food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Commercial appliance repair Fairfax professionals also recommend that you take a look at the vents. Are they dirty? Clean them. If you notice any issue during the inspection, ensure that it’s handled by an expert.
