Seeking methods to reduce your electric expenses? Begin with tidying up your refrigerator. Various actions can enhance its efficiency, consequently reducing your utility costs. While some maintenance chores like changing the water filter are simple and swift, others, like repairing weak seals, demand more time. Nevertheless, all tasks share a common goal: markedly enhancing your refrigerator's efficiency.
Consistent fridge upkeep can extend the lifespan of your refrigerator. Here are seven essential maintenance tasks to help decrease your electric expenses and maximize the longevity of your fridge.
Coil Cleaning
Regularly cleaning the coils can enhance your refrigerator's efficiency by up to 30%. Have you ever pulled your fridge out for cleaning or retrieval and been surprised by the dust buildup underneath? If not, brace yourself. Over time, this dust finds its way to the condenser coils, obstructing airflow. This extra workload during cooling cycles can lead to inefficient operation and potential overheating. To clean the coils, first unplug the refrigerator and delicately vacuum away the dust, taking care around the easily bendable coils.
Address Weak Seals
The rubber gasket encircling your refrigerator door is crucial for proper refrigeration. A weakened seal could result in warmer temperatures inside, initially manifesting as condensation on items near the door. This moisture buildup can lead to ice formation, prompting your fridge's cooling mechanisms to labor harder. Either enlist the expertise of an appliance technician or undertake the task yourself to optimize savings.
Defrosting the Fridge and Freezer
Many contemporary refrigerators feature an automatic defrost function. Typically, this system activates at set intervals and deactivates when a thermistor detects defrosted coils. While generally reliable, aging refrigerators may exhibit ice accumulation issues, potentially stemming from compromised components in the automatic defrost mechanism. When uncertain, manually defrost your fridge and freezer whenever ice reaches approximately a quarter-inch thickness.
Temperature Adjustment
Running your refrigerator and freezer at colder temperatures than required consumes excessive energy. To optimize efficiency, align the refrigerator and freezer temperature settings with the manufacturer's recommendations. For further savings, consider setting both compartments to their maximum temperature settings, which often remain sufficiently cold, depending on the appliance. If the temperature seems too high, gradually decrease it by one degree until reaching a satisfactory balance.
Create Space Between the Refrigerator and the Wall
During the cooling process, refrigerators generate heat, primarily emitted from the back of the appliance. Simply shifting your refrigerator a few inches away from the wall can enhance its efficiency by facilitating better air circulation, thereby expediting heat dissipation.
Optimize Room Temperature
A refrigerator's cooling mechanism operates optimally within typical household conditions. Placing the refrigerator in excessively warm environments, like an uninsulated garage, can compel it to consume more energy to maintain cool temperatures. To enhance efficiency, position the refrigerator in a climate-controlled room. However, avoid excessively cold environments, as they may induce malfunctioning.
Tips for Prolonging Your Refrigerator's Lifespan
Consistent cleaning and maintenance are vital for maximizing your refrigerator's longevity. Even if your refrigerator experiences issues, performing some tasks from this list might be sufficient to revive it. Therefore, before rushing to purchase a new appliance or contacting a technician, consider trying these straightforward maintenance activities to optimize your refrigerator's performance. Better yet, integrate these refrigerator maintenance tasks into your routine home upkeep checklist to preemptively address potential problems.
Another excellent way to safeguard your refrigerator against any potential break down or tear is to cover it with a perfect home warranty plan from ServicePlus as this company offers highly comprehensive home warranty plans within your budget. The best part of purchasing home warranty plan from ServicePlus is that they allow you to cover other appliances along with your refrigerator, ensuring peace of mind for you.
