In most households, the refrigerator runs 24/7 to keep your food items fresh for days. It also consumes a lot of energy because of its regular use. The amount of load this machine has to bear every day is quite remarkable. That is why you need to keep your refrigerator in good shape so it can heal from the wear tear of daily use. There are a few maintenance guidelines that you need to follow. Simple cleaning and maintenance procedures can significantly extend the efficiency and longevity of the machine.
Here is how you should go about it:
Keep the condenser coil cleaned:
The condenser coils accumulate dirt and grime over time. Dirty coils make the machine work harder, which not only causes higher electricity bills, but also reduces the life expectancy of the refrigerator. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to use a broom or a vacuum to dust off any dirt that may have gathered. Once in every three months is standard. However, if you have pets in your home, you would need to do this once every month.
Depending on which refrigerator model you own, the coil may either be located at the back or at the bottom. To access the coil that is placed underneath, you would need to remove the grill from the bottom front of the machine. However, if the coil is located at the back, you would need to pull the unit out.
Clean the drip pan and drain hole:
In most refrigerator models, you would find a drip pan and a drain hole. These two refrigerator appliance parts help remove condensation. That is why it is vital that they are in good condition. Mineral deposits and food particles often get stuck in these two places, which is why you need to do regular cleaning. However, make sure you follow the proper guidelines when cleaning in these areas. The guidelines will vary from one model to another, and you will get all the instructions in the manual.
Clean the gasket:
The gasket is placed on the door of the freezer and the refrigerator. The primary purpose of this device is to seal cool air in so that warm air does not get inside. This is extremely vital for the performance of the machine. That is why you need to make sure that the seal stays as strong as it was when you first bought the appliance. Examine the gasket and see if there are cracks or other signs of damage present. You may try the dollar bill test. For this you would have to place a dollar bill when shutting the door. When the note is halfway in, you would need to try to pull it out. if it gets out easily, know that the gasket isn’t working properly. Normally the seal would make it difficult by creating resistance.
These are some of the common maintenance procedures that you can easily handle on your own. It does not take much of your time or effort.