Your refrigerator is one of the most important and expensive appliances in your kitchen, so it makes sense to make sure that it lasts as long as possible, especially when this will have the add-on effect of making it run more efficiently. Here are four ways to make it go the distance while consuming less energy.
Check the Temperature
The first thing you'll want to do is check the temperature inside the fridge. Many come with their own interior thermometer to let you find out, but there's nothing wrong with using one of your own.
Make sure the interior temperature rests between 37 and 40 F at all times. This is the ideal range for keeping your food safely chilled; any temperature lower than 37 F simply means that the refrigerator is using excess energy to make things cooler than they need to be, while anything warmer than 40 F will speed up bacteria growth.
Move it into the Coolest Spot
It's your refrigerator's job to keep everything inside chilled, but it's your job to make sure that the fridge itself is kept away from the heat. If yours is either positioned near an oven or sitting in the direct sunlight, then it will need to work harder to keep itself working properly. That takes more energy and will shorten the lifespan of the motor.
If you can't find anywhere appropriate in your kitchen, or if you live in a very warm climate, it's a good idea to move the fridge to either the garage or the basement.
Keep It Level
When you first install the refrigerator, make sure it is level. If not, the door will fail to close properly. This lets air escape from the inside, meaning that the motor needs to run continuously in order to maintain a stable interior temperature.
Homes do shift and settle throughout their lives, so make sure you check every year or so to ensure that things are still on the level.
Clean the Condenser Coils
If you don't know what the condenser coils are, there's a good chance that your refrigerator could be running a lot more efficiently. These are positioned at the back of, or underneath, your fridge and can collect dust, food particles, and other bits of debris that need to be cleaned away every few months.
Dirty coils will increase your energy expenditure and reduce the fridge's life expectancy. Vacuum then clean them every three months or so to keep them free of dust and debris, making sure that the power cable is unplugged when you do so.
It takes barely any time and effort to make these changes, and carrying them out will significantly extend the lifespan of your refrigerator while also making it run more efficiently. If you do need any refrigeration repairs, make sure you contact an experienced appliance repair company. They may be able to give you more tips on how to avoid similar problems in the future.
