Guide to Refrigerator Maintenance 101
JANUARY 04, 2024 | Home Care Buzz Experts | 12 minute read
Do you ever wonder what's humming behind your fridge? That's the refrigerator compressor working to keep your food fresh. Regarding fridge maintenance, the regular upkeep we typically do is cleaning spills or clearing out old food items to add new ones. Yet, your fridge, from the compressor to the coils, may cry out for more attention.
Let's dive deeper into the world of refrigerator maintenance, starting with a spotlight on the pivotal role of compressors.
Understanding the Refrigerator Compressor
So, what's this fuss about the compressor for the refrigerator? It's essentially the heart of your fridge. It compresses the refrigerant, which circulates through the cooling coils, making modern cooling possible. If you've been asking: "How does a refrigerator compressor work?" or, "What are the signs your refrigerator compressor is going out?" – this is the place to get answers.
Resetting the Compressor
There might be times when your fridge seems silent, maybe too quiet. In those moments, the compressor might not be running. Here's how you can test and reset it:
- Unplug the fridge: Safety first!
- Locate the compressor: Typically, it's at the back.
- Find the thermostat: It's often a dial inside the fridge or freezer.
- Turn the dial to the off position: Wait a few minutes.
- Turn the dial back to its original setting: Plug the refrigerator back in.
Still silent? Your compressor might be in trouble.
Handling a Noisy Fridge Compressor
On the flip side, maybe your fridge is making a loud noise. It's likely the compressor. Prolonged noises can be a sign of a worn-out compressor or loose parts. Sometimes, placing a soundproof mat under your fridge can dampen the vibrations. Still, if the noise persists, it's time to consult a professional.
Testing the Compressor
A multimeter is a portable electronic device that measures electrical voltage, current, and resistance. Using a multimeter, you can check if the compressor is functioning correctly. If you're unfamiliar with multimeters, we'd recommend calling a professional.
Replacing the Compressor
Wondering if it's worth replacing a compressor on a refrigerator? Here's a breakdown to consider:
- Cost: Replacing a compressor typically costs between $200 to $500 for parts, depending on the brand and model. However, with labor included, the total can rise to around $800 when you hire a professional.
- Longevity: If your fridge is relatively new and all the other components are ticking along nicely, investing in a new compressor could add several more years to its lifespan.
Weigh the price of the compressor replacement against the cost of a brand-new fridge. Sometimes, a little investment can mean extending the life of your trusty appliance. A home warranty may cover this repair if you have coverage.
Next, review other essential fridge maintenance steps to ensure everything works harmoniously.
Clean the Cooling Coils
If the compressor is the heart of your refrigerator, the condenser and evaporator coils are the lungs, breathing in and expelling warm air to keep the system running efficiently. Understanding how these coils function and ensuring they're well-maintained is essential for the longevity and efficiency of your appliance. Their primary job is to condense the refrigerant and release heat, helping your refrigerator maintain its optimal internal temperature.
The Impact of Dirty Coils
Over time, the cooling coils can become a magnet for dust, dirt, pet fur, and other airborne particles. Your fridge making a loud noise or working inefficiently can often be traced back to clogged coils. These accumulations strain the system and lead to inefficiencies, higher energy consumption, and, in severe cases, a broken fridge. If you notice the compressor for your refrigerator making noise or getting hot, it might be due to reduced heat transfer caused by dirty coils.
How Often to Clean Fridge Coils?
You should inspect and clean your condenser coils every three months. However, if you have furry friends like cats or dogs, their hair can easily find its way to the coils, requiring more frequent cleanings.
How to Clean Coils
- Safety First: Always begin by unplugging the refrigerator to ensure your safety and protect components from short circuits.
- Locate the Coils: The coils are typically situated either at the back of the refrigerator or underneath it. This might require you to shift the fridge slightly. The owner's manual will be your best guide if you need clarification on their location.
- Access the Coils: Depending on your fridge model, you might need to remove the front kickplate or the back panel. Keep a screwdriver handy for this task.
- Clean Away: Attach the brush tool to your vacuum cleaner. Gently vacuum over and beneath the coils, removing all debris and dust. Consider using a soft-bristled brush to dislodge stubborn dirt before vacuuming.
Regularly caring for your refrigerator's coils ensures optimal performance and prevents potentially costly breakdowns. Remember, you can save money on potential repairs when you know which appliances to clean and how to approach maintenance properly.
Check the Temperature
The temperature within your refrigerator and freezer is important to the longevity of your appliance and the safety of the food stored inside. If it's too cold or warm, you look at increased energy costs or food spoiling quickly. Here's why and how you should keep a watchful eye on those numbers.
Manufacturer's Recommendations
Most refrigerator manufacturers will provide a recommended temperature setting for optimal performance and efficiency. Adhering to these settings ensures your refrigerator works well. For instance, if your fridge compressor is not running as expected or if the refrigerator compressor noise increases, it could be a sign that the internal temperature is forcing it to overcompensate.
Why Not Too Cold?
Overcooling doesn't just lead to frozen milk or lettuce. Setting your fridge or freezer to colder settings than necessary places undue strain on the compressor. This could lead to earlier wear and tear and, in extreme cases, cause the refrigerator compressor to fail prematurely. Not to mention, cooler settings can spike your energy consumption, leading to high electric bills (and nobody wants that).
Ideal Temperatures for Food Safety
Beyond the efficiency of your appliance, there's the crucial matter of food safety. The USDA recommends that the refrigerator compartment maintains a temperature of at or below 40 °F to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. On the other hand, the freezer should remain at 0 °F to preserve your food's nutritional quality and ensure it's safe to eat.
Regularly Check the Temperature
Periodically use an appliance thermometer to ensure your settings align with the actual temperature inside. Seasonal changes, frequent door openings, or adding large amounts of food at once can affect internal temperatures. The lifespan of appliances is primarily influenced by how you use and maintain them, so following these recommendations is critical to getting the most out of your fridge and freezer.
Close the Door
It's easy to overlook the significance of the refrigerator door. Still, it is essential to your fridge's performance and efficiency. It can influence both the longevity of your appliance and your monthly energy costs. Here's why having good door habits matters and how to optimize them.
Door Openings and Energy Consumption
When the refrigerator door is opened, warm air rushes in, and cold air escapes. The refrigerator must expend extra energy to return to its set temperature. Frequently opening your fridge or leaving the door ajar causes your fridge to work in overdrive. This leads to a spike in energy consumption and can wear out the components faster, especially if the refrigerator compressor is constantly activated.
Organize for Efficiency
One effective way to reduce door openings is to organize the contents of your fridge. Knowing where everything is means quickly grabbing what you need without staring into the abyss, wondering where something is. You might also consider keeping a list of your refrigerator's contents on the door or using transparent storage containers to spot your items easily. Some modern refrigerators even have sensors that allow you to see inside without opening the door!
The Advantages of Two-Door Fridges
Two-door or multi-door refrigerators offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They can also be energy savers. When you open only one section (the fridge or the freezer), you're conserving energy by not letting all the cold air escape from both sections. French-door models, which feature a bottom freezer and two upper fridge doors, or side-by-side models can be more energy-efficient than traditional single-door designs.
Inspect and Clean Door Gaskets and Seals
The seemingly small components of your refrigerator, such as the door gaskets and seals, play a big role in its overall performance. By ensuring they are well-maintained and clean, you can enhance your refrigerator's efficiency and longevity and even preserve the freshness of your food.
Why Door Gaskets Matter
These flexible rubber seals act as a barrier, preventing the cold air inside the refrigerator from escaping and keeping the warm external air out. They are essential for maintaining the optimal internal temperature and energy efficiency of the appliance. Knowing the importance of maintaining clean and intact door gaskets would be best for your refrigerator.
Check for Residue Buildup
Over time, residue from food particles, liquids, or other contaminants can accumulate on the gaskets. This buildup can prevent the door from closing properly, leading to cold air leaks. Regularly inspecting and removing any obstructions can help your refrigerator run efficiently. The longer these residues sit, the harder they might be to remove, and they may even attract mold or mildew. Cleaning them regularly will make the task more manageable.
How to Clean a Fridge Gasket
A DIY housecleaning solution of baking soda and warm water is an excellent, eco-friendly gasket cleaning solution. It effectively cleans without introducing potentially harmful chemicals into your food storage area. Using a soft toothbrush ensures that the gasket isn't damaged during cleaning. Rinse with clean water and dry the gasket thoroughly after cleaning.
Regular Inspections for Wear and Tear
Over time, gaskets can dry out, crack, or become loose. Regularly inspect them for any signs of deterioration. If a seal doesn't bounce back when pressed or shows visible signs of damage, it might be time to replace it. Not only will this improve the efficiency of your refrigerator, but it can also save you money in the long run by reducing energy costs and preventing food spoilage.
Replace the Water Filter
The refrigerator's water and ice dispenser is a great convenience many homeowners appreciate. Maintaining this system's integrity is essential for both health and appliance functionality. Central to this system is the water filter, which ensures that the water you drink and the ice you use are free from contaminants.
Over time, however, this filter can get saturated with these impurities, reducing its effectiveness and potentially leading to water quality issues. That's why changing your water filter is crucial to refrigerator care.
How Often to Replace a Water Filter
While the general recommendation is to replace the water filter every six months, usage frequency and local water quality can affect the filter's lifespan. Households that use water and ice dispensers frequently need more frequent replacements. Checking the water flow and taste regularly hints at the filter's condition. If the flow is slower than usual or the water tastes a little off, it's time for a change.
After installing a new filter, you need to flush the system. Running a couple of gallons of water through the dispenser removes any trapped air, manufacturing residues, or other impurities from the filter. This step ensures that the first glass of water you drink after the replacement is as pure as it should be.
A clean water filter ensures you get refreshing water and ice, free from potential contaminants. Regular filter replacement also ensures the smooth operation of your dispenser. It reduces the risk of clogs and leaks, which could lead to larger appliance issues.
Learn how to clean your refrigerator's water dispenser using natural cleaners.
Keep it Level!
The balance and alignment of your refrigerator might seem like minor details. Still, they are crucial to the appliance's overall performance and efficiency. When you think about appliance care, ensuring your fridge is level should be on the priority list, just as you'd check its temperature or water filter.
A refrigerator that isn't level can put undue stress on its motor and compressor. The added strain can cause the fridge to work harder than necessary, consuming more energy and leading to premature wear and tear. Uneven positioning can even interfere with the coolant circulation, impacting the appliance's cooling efficiency.
Door Alignment Issues
A door that doesn't close seamlessly is one of the most visible signs of an unlevel refrigerator. If you've ruled out problems with the gaskets and the door still isn't sealing well, the alignment of the fridge is likely the culprit. As we've discussed, a door that doesn't close securely can let cold air escape, causing the refrigerator to run more frequently and increasing energy bills.
Checking and Adjusting
A simple carpenter's level can be a valuable tool in refrigerator maintenance. Place the level horizontally on top of the fridge to assess the alignment. If adjustments are needed, most modern refrigerators come equipped with adjustable feet or rollers. You can raise or lower the appliance by turning these feet (usually at the front or back bottom corners) until it's perfectly level. Your refrigerator's user manual or manufacturer's guide will have detailed instructions on this process, ensuring you can easily find the optimal setting.
Fill Your Fridge
The efficiency of a refrigerator isn't just determined by its make or model but also by how it's used. An often-overlooked strategy for increasing your fridge's energy efficiency is filling it appropriately.
Why Does a Full Fridge Use Less Energy?
A refrigerator full of food and beverages contains more matter that can retain and stabilize temperature. Once all these items are cooled to the desired temperature, they act as "cold reserves." This means that when the door is opened, and some warm air enters, the cold food and drinks help to rapidly cool down the air, thus reducing the workload on the refrigerator's compressor.
In a nearly empty fridge, the compressor must work harder every time the door is opened, and warm air replaces the cold air inside. But with a fuller fridge, there's less "space" for warm air to occupy, so the compressor doesn't have to kick in as often or as long.
Tips for Filling Your Fridge Efficiently
While filling your fridge can be a boon to energy efficiency, overfilling can backfire. Overcrowding can restrict airflow, leading to uneven cooling. Vents should remain unblocked to ensure consistent temperature throughout the fridge. It's best not to obstruct controls and sensors. An overpacked refrigerator can also make it harder to locate items, leading to longer door-open times.
Expert tip: The key is balance: A fridge that is too empty wastes energy, but an overfull refrigerator can hinder performance. Regular organization and mindful stocking can ensure optimal fridge performance and reduced energy consumption.
Empty the Ice
Regularly emptying and cleaning your ice tray or bin is not just a mere task but an essential part of comprehensive refrigerator maintenance. Ice, being porous, readily absorbs odors in the freezer. Over time, strong-smelling foods can impart their scent on the ice, affecting the taste of beverages.
An overfilled ice tray or bin is also more than just an inconvenience. Ice can clump together when too full, potentially blocking and clogging the dispenser. This makes it harder to get ice and can strain or damage the mechanism. A routine monthly cleaning of your ice bins is recommended to prevent this. It's crucial to ensure the bin dries completely before returning it to the freezer to prevent ice from sticking together.
Like an open box of baking soda, odor neutralizers can offer added freshness. By absorbing and neutralizing unwanted scents, baking soda ensures your ice remains as fresh as possible, devoid of lingering freezer odors.
Keeping an eye on your icemaker is a proactive approach to maintaining your appliance's efficiency. Turn off the icemaker or empty it when the bin reaches its capacity. This prevents ice overflow and helps ensure the smooth operation and longevity of your refrigerator's ice dispensing system.
Store Food Properly
Implementing effective food storage strategies can have a noticeable impact not just on food freshness but also on the overall efficiency of your refrigerator.
Minimize Moisture with Secure Containers
An easy practice to adopt is the use of closed containers for leftovers. When food is securely sealed, it curtails excess moisture from gathering inside the fridge. Excessive moisture can make the compressor work harder, fostering mold and mildew growth. By simply utilizing containers with tight-fitting lids or wrapping items well with foil or plastic wrap, you can ensure optimal humidity levels inside your refrigerator, enhancing its efficiency.
The Importance of Temperature Regulation
While storing hot leftovers after a meal is tempting, patience is key for energy conservation. Introducing hot or warm dishes into the fridge can disrupt its internal temperature. The appliance must exert extra energy to cool down these items and maintain the desired internal temperature. To avoid unnecessary strain on your fridge and a potential spike in your energy bills, always let hot dishes reach room temperature before stowing them in the refrigerator.
By being mindful of these practices, you not only enhance the efficiency of your appliance but also ensure that the stored food retains its freshness and flavor for longer periods.
Does a Home Warranty Cover Your Appliances?
From the coils to the refrigerator compressor, proper refrigerator maintenance keeps this important appliance running well and helps it last. You can also protect essential appliances and home systems with First American home warranty coverage. Contact us to learn more about refrigerator home warranty coverage or get a quick, no-obligation home warranty quote.
The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.
Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered system or item, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.
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Home Care Buzz Experts
The First American Home Care Buzz team is made up of experienced home warranty writers and editors. Our team provides valuable insights and information to help homeowners like you meet the daily challenges of homeownership. Â
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