How to increase the life of your refrigerators

Buying good-quality refrigerators is a worthwhile investment as there is less energy consumption and they are extremely cost effective in the long run. But it is not enough to simply buy the best quality refrigerator if their maintenance is not a priority. Some ways to maintain your fridge includes: 

Clear the Refrigerator Periodically

A good rule of thumb is to clean your refrigerator every six months. An all-purpose cleaner, coil-cleaning brush, and a sponge are all you really need for maintaining your refrigerator.

Clean the Condenser Coils

Condenser coils are usually accumulated with dust over time, which messes with the efficiency of your fridge. Condenser coils are located at the back of your refrigerator or underneath it. Ensure that before you begin cleaning your refrigerator, you unplug it. If coils are located at the back, pull the fridge out and then dust it with a coil-cleaning brush, a vacuum, or a broom. If your coils are underneath the fridge, remove the bottom grill and clean as mentioned before.

Clean Drip Pan and Unclog Drain Hole

Drip pan and drain hole are the next to be cleaned. Frost-free fridges have their unit periodically heat up the cooling coils to ensure there is no frost build up. The water exits the unit via the drain hose and drips onto the drip pan. Usually, the water evaporates from the pan.
A drip pan can be cleaned by simply removing it and washing it. If the drain hole however gets clogged due to any dust or debris, it could end up messing the entire fridge unit. If such a situation occurs, ensure that you consult the cleaning manual for your fridge on how to clean the drain hole.

Inspect and Clean the Refrigerator Door

The final leg of refrigerator maintenance is checking the door of the refrigerator. With a damp sponge and an all-purpose cleaner, clean the door. Next, check for cracks or tears in the door seal. This is extremely important because the refrigerator’s door seal ensures the temperature is maintained and the unit runs efficiently. If you notice any damage, consider getting them replaced at the earliest.

Change the Water Filter

For those refrigerators that have an ice maker in the door, there is a water filter that needs to be changed at certain intervals. Replace the water filter every six months or as instructed by the manual.