3 Summer Refrigerator Maintenance Tips

4 May 2015 by Derrick Gordon

Summer is a time of year that's very hard on refrigerators because hot outside temperatures make the refrigerator's job harder than usual. In addition, many people use their refrigerators more in the summer as they reach inside for ice and cold drinks. In general, refrigerators run much harder in the summer. Following these maintenance tips will help you take care of your refrigerator this summer, and will help to ensure that your refrigerator continues to run smoothly throughout the season. 

Keep Your Unit Cool

There are a number of ways that you can help to keep your refrigerator cool without running your air conditioning 24/7. Here are just a few methods:

• Increase air circulation. Like other appliances, your refrigerator gives off heat and relies on adequate air circulation to keep warm air from building up behind the unit. To provide your refrigerator with adequate air circulation, try pulling the unit away from the wall by a few inches. Remove objects from the top of the refrigerator that might be trapping the air on top of and behind the refrigerator.
• Clean the coils. Your refrigerator's coils can get grimy over time. This grease and dirt can trap heat inside the coils and lower the efficiency of the unit by causing it to work harder than necessary. Clean the coils periodically to prevent this from happening. To clean the coils, pull the refrigerator away from the wall. Locate the coils, which will either be behind or beneath your refrigerator. Use a vacuum to remove dirt and dust from the coils. Brush away the remaining dirt using a stiff-bristled brush.
• Sweep under and behind the fridge. Help prevent the coils from becoming dirty by periodically sweeping behind and beneath the refrigerator. 

Clean the Gaskets

Anytime your refrigerator gets left open, the refrigerator will start working overtime to keep the interior of the unit cool. For an older refrigerator, it is exactly this kind of activity that can cause a breakdown. Sometimes the refrigerator door fails to close properly because the gasket around the door is dirty and the seal is compromised. To prevent this from happening, keep the gasket around the door clean. Use a sponge and mild detergent mixed in warm water to clean the gasket and prevent this from happening. 

Schedule a Refrigerator Tuneup

Scheduling preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your refrigerator going over time. This is especially true if your refrigerator is making strange noises, running constantly or just not cooling things as effectively as it used to. To get your refrigerator the professional attention it needs, schedule a tune-up with a reputable refrigeration contractor like Halliday Refrigeration Ltd.

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