Are You Unknowingly Damaging Your Refrigerator?

Your refrigerator is the hardest working appliance in your home, which is why proper care is crucial to keeping your fridge from bowing out earlier than its predicted 13 to 20 year life expectancy. Unfortunately, premature breakdowns are often caused by repeated owner neglect or misuse. If you’re concerned your actions or inaction is damaging your appliance, please keep reading to learn how not to improperly care for your refrigerator.

Your Refrigerator Needs Breathing Room

Leaving little to no space between your refrigerator and the wall isn’t a good idea, especially if the condenser coils are located on the back of your appliance. A lack of space hinders ventilation and can cause the compressor to overheat. According to the General Electric website, the back and top of a refrigerator needs at least an inch of space to breathe.

Don’t Over stuff Your Refrigerator

Air freely circulating between your freezer compartment and fresh food compartment is key to maintaining the proper temperature in your appliance. Over stuffing either compartment can cause a lack of air flow, meaning your refrigerator will have a difficult time reaching and sustaining the set temp. If your refrigerator is constantly running, take a look at the vents inside the appliance to make sure they aren’t blocked. Continually blocking the vents will put extra strain on the compressor, which will increase its normal wear and tear and eventually lead to it prematurely giving out.

Not Inspecting the Gaskets

The gaskets that create an airtight seal around the freezer and fresh food compartment door are made of rubber. Over time, those rubber seals can weaken due to rips and cracks. Neglecting to replace a damaged gasket allows cold air to seep out and warm air to enter your appliance. The constant temperature fluctuations causes your already hardworking appliance to work even harder. Unfortunately, an overworked refrigerator is more likely to have a shortened lifespan. To avoid this issue, every few months, take a moment to inspect the door gaskets, and if you happen to find an issue, replace the damaged gasket as soon as possible.

Never Cleaning the Condenser coils

The condenser coils in your refrigerator are located on the back of your appliance or behind the kick plate underneath your appliance. Either way, a build-up of dirt and dust can affect the coils’ ability to cool, which leads to an overworked refrigerator. Using a vacuum or a specialized brush to clean the coils at least once a year will ensure the coils are able to effectively release heat.

If you’re concerned with your refrigerator’s performance, please contact us today, and we’ll send an appliance repair technician to your home to inspect your refrigerator.