What Can I Do to Extend the Life of My Refrigerator?
Whether you’ve got a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Whirlpool refrigerator, or a GE refrigerator, there is no more important appliance in your kitchen than the refrigerator. And hey…they’re not cheap! With the advent of new technology, refrigerators now have incredible features, but with that comes additional repairs.
Don’t get me wrong, we LOVE doing refrigerator repairs. After all, I am an appliance repair technician, and that’s our business. However, we are in the business of appliance repair because we enjoy helping people, and that includes sharing information that helps prolong the life of your appliances.
Tip #1 - Let it breathe!
Just like your car depends on air flow to keep it cool and breathe, your refrigerator does too! The engine of your refrigerator is the compressor, and we want to make sure to keep it as cool as possible. Blocked toe kicks, or vents at the very bottom of the front of your refrigerator will reduce air flow. Is your vent caked with dust? If so, cleaning it and keeping it clean will help. Next, you’ll want to make sure that your refrigerator coils are clean as well. Using a brush attachment on your vacuum, we recommend cleaning your refrigerator coils every 6 months.
Tip #2 - Location, location, location!
On the subject of heat, this tip may be easier said than done, as moving appliances around isn’t quite the same as rearranging your living room. However, to help your refrigerator last as long as possible, you’ll want to keep it away from high heat sources such as stoves/ovens, and dishwashers. Additionally, while bright kitchens are great, direct sunlight on your refrigerator can also require it to work harder than it should.
Broken ice makers are one of the most common refrigerator repairs we see. If you happen to have your refrigerator’s manual, you’ll find that the manufacturer will have recommended usage to ensure it functions properly. While this may vary from different manufacturers, the bottom line is ice cubes that have formed into ice blocks are bad for ice makers. Keeping your ice cubes in cube form will help your ice maker to last longer.
You know….that rubber seal than runs around the outside of the door? It’s designed to seal out ambient air, and keep the cool air inside. Cracks, gaps, loose gaskets can all allow warm air to enter the refrigerator. Even small imperfections will cause your refrigerator to work harder than it should. If you haven’t inspected your gasket in awhile, I recommend you give it a once over to make sure it’s in good shape.
Too much food and there’s not enough room to circulate the air. Too little food makes your refrigerator work extra hard to keep all of the empty space cooled. Ideally, allowing some space between your food, and making sure to not block the internal fans will help maintain a consistent temperature. Leave an inch or two between items is a good rule of thumb.
Nobody loves going in for a routine physical, but it serves a purpose. The same can be said when it comes to your refrigerator. Having a qualified appliance technician come out to give your refrigerator a once over will definitely help to ensure a long life. If the appliance technician give you two thumbs up, you’ve got peace of mind. If the appliance repair technician identifies an issue you’ve now just prevented a future catastrophe. It’s a win win! After all, no one likes coming home to that rotten food smell, and a refrigerator full of spoiled food.
Need refrigerator repair?
If you’re already at the point of needing refrigerator repair, Polar Appliance Repair has the experience you need when you’re looking for the best refrigerator repair services in the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California. Our appliance repair company is conveniently located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We’re factory trained on leading brands, and are experts with most appliances, including Sub-Zero refrigerator repair, Wolf appliance repair, Viking appliance repair, Whirlpool, Maytag and more. With Polar Appliance Repair, we offer same day service, and are ready to help if you need us.