Is your concept of refrigerator maintenance restocking the racks with your number one treats? Provided that this is true, perhaps it’s an ideal opportunity to consider a superior way to deal with calmer consideration and cleaning. This machine works hard for you all day, every day, and it needs some attention to continue operating at its full capacity.

Each three to a half year, take a couple of moments to go through the basic cooler maintenance tips below. If you run into serious appliance issues, or need a specialist fridge test, connect with your nearby Factory appliance for exceptional assistance.

Six Crucial Refrigerator Maintenance Tips

With just a bit of effort, you can lower energy costs and prevent premature refrigerator replacement.

1. Check the gasket.

Damage or dirt can prevent the gasket, or door seal, from sealing properly and keeping cold air in the refrigerator. If the gasket looks marked, twisted, cracked, or torn, it’s probably time to replace it. Otherwise, use warm water and a cloth or sponge to clean the gasket periodically, especially inside the folds where grime can hide.

Another maintenance tip for a refrigerator gasket with weak seal is applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the gasket after cleaning it. A thin layer is all it takes to improve suction.

2. Remove obstructions from vents.

Vents in the freezer circulate the cold air to the refrigerator. Blocked vents can limit the freezing action of the freezer. An important task for refrigerator maintenance is moving food packages away from all vents. Also, avoid crowding the fridge too much, which hinders air circulation too.

3. Clean the condenser coils.

Dust buildup on the refrigerator condenser coils prevents them from releasing heat. This could result in an overworked compressor. By cleaning the coils at least once every six months, you can save energy and prolong your refrigerator’s life and avoid unnecessary repairs in the future.

4. Clean the condenser fan.

Refrigerator condenser fans can harbor dirt, dust, paper scraps, and even adventurous mice. If the fan is blocked by dirt’s, the fridge cannot cool properly because air isn’t circulating across the coils. To clean the condenser fan, move the appliance away from the wall, and remove the fan access cover.

5. Set the right temperature.

This is one of our more uncomplicated refrigerator maintenance tips, but it’s very important. For optimal operation and energy efficiency, set the refrigerator temperature to the middle of the available settings. The ideal fridge temperature is between 38 and 42 degrees, while the freezer should be between 0 and 10 degrees.

6. Keep an eye on refrigerator contents.

Did you know the refrigerator needs plenty of content to maintain the ideal temperature? Thermal mass is necessary—you need something to absorb warm air when the fridge doors open. If the appliance is empty or nearly empty, it cannot operate efficiently. Don’t have a lot in the fridge? You can place a jug of water inside.

To book your appointment, get in touch with Factory Appliance Houston or schedule conveniently online.