We use our refrigerators practically every day. However, many of us are unaware of the things that are ruining our fridge without your knowledge. To avoid a nasty repair bill or an untimely refrigerator replacement, here are some of the things that may be killing your refrigerator and why you should avoid them:
- Accumulation of ice
Many people who call for professional appliance repair services in Salt Lake City and other cities usually do so because of ice building up in their refrigerator. More often than not, people think that the accumulation of ice in their fridge is normal (it’s cold, so there’s bound to be ice, right?). However, ice or frost in a fridge is commonly caused by a faulty gasket, a clogged drain, dirty vents, or a combination of these factors.
When you see ice forming in the walls or in the back of your refrigerator, call in a repair technician to diagnose the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, the cause/s of ice formation may lead to more refrigerator problems.
- Overloading
If you have a habit of stuffing your fridge until it’s full, you’re putting your refrigerator (and the food inside it) at risk of improper air circulation. As a result, this overloading can block freezer vents and cause the motor and condenser to work harder, which leads to straining and eventual damage. Moreover, the food inside an overstuffed refrigerator is not cooled properly, which can lead to untimely food spoilage and food contamination.
- Inadequate space around the unit
Don’t push your refrigerator too close to the wall as this can limit the air circulation around the condenser coils, which are the black grills that can be found at the back of your fridge. Check with your refrigerator’s manufacturer about the proper clearance distance your unit should have with walls and counters (usually 1 to 2 inches for the rear and 1/2 to 1 inch for the sides). With enough distance, heat from the contender coils can properly dissipate and prevent the unit from overheating.
If there is not enough distance between the back of your fridge and the wall, it can lead to poor ventilation, which causes, in turn, increased energy use, poor cooling, loud noises, and eventual failure of the affected parts.
- Dirt and dust
Make it a point to clean your refrigerator every once in a while, preferably every six months. Remove dirt, debris, and dust from the condenser coils, the exterior of the unit, as well as underneath the fridge. When dirt is left to settle, especially on the condenser coils, this can lead to poor performance and overheating.
- Food residue
When you spill something inside the fridge, clean it up right away. Allowing food residue to settle inside a refrigerator can stain the interior, as well as promote food contamination and spoilage of other foods.
Your refrigerator may be more delicate than you think. To keep it running smoothly for as long as possible, avoid these things that are likely ruining your unit. Apart from saving money on a repair bill, keeping your refrigerator in tip-top shape is the best way to keep your food safe and fresh.