Tips for Maintaining Your Refrigerator

Clean the Coils Regularly

First and foremost, clean the coils of your refrigerator. The coils, located at the back or underneath the fridge, can collect dust and debris over time. This buildup forces your refrigerator to work harder, consuming more energy. By cleaning the coils every six months, you can improve your refrigerator’s efficiency. Use a vacuum or a coil brush for best results.

Cleaning the coils is a simple yet effective maintenance task. When dust and debris accumulate on the coils, the refrigerator’s cooling efficiency decreases, leading to increased energy consumption. This not only raises your electricity bill but also puts additional strain on the appliance, potentially shortening its lifespan. To clean the coils, unplug the refrigerator and carefully remove any debris with a vacuum cleaner or a coil brush. Make sure to reach all areas, as even a small amount of dust can impact performance.

Check the Door Seals

Next, inspect the door seals. The door seals, or gaskets, are essential for maintaining the internal temperature. A weak or damaged seal allows cold air to escape, causing the refrigerator to use more energy. Close the door on a piece of paper or a dollar bill to test the seal. If you can pull it out easily, it’s time to replace the seal.

Door seals are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency of your refrigerator. Over time, seals can become worn or damaged, leading to air leaks that force the appliance to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. Regularly check the seals for any signs of wear, cracks, or gaps. Replacing a faulty seal is relatively inexpensive and can save you a significant amount on energy costs in the long run.

Set the Right Temperature

Setting the right temperature is another crucial factor. Your refrigerator should be set between 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the freezer should be at 0 degrees. This ensures your food stays fresh and your appliance runs efficiently. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature if needed.

Maintaining the correct temperature settings is vital for food safety and energy efficiency. If the temperature is too high, food can spoil quickly, while setting it too low can cause unnecessary energy consumption. A refrigerator thermometer is a handy tool to ensure your appliance is operating at the optimal temperature. Regularly monitor and adjust the settings as needed to keep your food fresh and your refrigerator running efficiently.

Organize Your Fridge

Organizing your fridge can also help in maintaining it. Avoid overcrowding as it restricts airflow and makes the refrigerator work harder. Keep similar items together, and store raw meat on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination. Regularly check for expired items and discard them to keep your fridge clean.

A well-organized refrigerator not only looks neat but also functions better. Overcrowding can block the vents, restricting airflow and making it harder for the appliance to maintain a consistent temperature. This can lead to uneven cooling and increased energy consumption. Additionally, organizing your fridge helps you keep track of items, reducing food waste. Consider using clear bins or containers to group similar items and make it easier to find what you need.

Keep the Fridge Full

Interestingly, keeping your refrigerator full can actually help it run more efficiently. A full fridge retains cold better than an empty one. If you don’t have enough food, store water bottles to help maintain the temperature.

The principle behind this tip is simple: a full refrigerator has less empty space, which means less air that needs to be cooled. This helps the appliance maintain a stable temperature more easily. If you find your fridge is often empty, consider stocking up on non-perishable items or using containers filled with water. This can help your refrigerator maintain its efficiency and reduce the workload on the cooling system.

Regular Maintenance Checks

Regular maintenance checks by a professional appliance technician are vital. Our technicians at ARNI Services can help identify and fix any potential issues before they become major problems. Regular servicing can extend the life of your refrigerator and keep it running efficiently.

While DIY maintenance is important, professional servicing is also crucial. Our skilled technicians can perform a thorough inspection, identifying any potential issues that might not be visible to the untrained eye. They can also perform tasks such as checking the refrigerant levels, inspecting the electrical components, and ensuring the overall health of the appliance. Regular professional maintenance can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your refrigerator. 

Defrost the Freezer

Lastly, defrost your freezer regularly. Ice buildup can reduce the efficiency of your freezer. If your fridge doesn’t have an automatic defrost feature, you should defrost it manually when the ice buildup reaches about a quarter of an inch.

Manual defrosting is an essential maintenance task for refrigerators without an automatic defrost feature. Ice buildup can restrict airflow, making the freezer work harder to maintain the set temperature. This not only increases energy consumption but can also reduce the available storage space. To defrost your freezer, unplug the appliance, remove all items, and allow the ice to melt. You can use a towel to soak up the water and speed up the process by placing bowls of hot water inside the freezer.

Clean the Interior

Keeping the interior of your refrigerator clean is important for both hygiene and efficiency. Spills and stains can cause unpleasant odors and attract bacteria. Wipe down the shelves, drawers, and walls with a mild cleaning solution regularly. This practice not only keeps your fridge smelling fresh but also helps in maintaining a healthy environment for your food.

A clean refrigerator is a healthy refrigerator. Food spills and leaks can create breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, which can contaminate other items and cause unpleasant odors. Regularly clean the interior of your refrigerator with a mild cleaning solution or a mixture of baking soda and water. Remove all items, wipe down the surfaces, and ensure everything is dry before placing the items back. This practice helps maintain a clean and hygienic environment for your food.

Avoid Overloading the Door

The refrigerator door is not designed to hold heavy items. Overloading the door can cause it to become misaligned, which can affect the seal and lead to air leaks. Store lighter items like condiments and small bottles on the door shelves and keep heavier items inside the main compartment.

Overloading the refrigerator door can lead to several problems. The weight can cause the door to sag, affecting the alignment and potentially damaging the seal. This can result in air leaks, making the appliance work harder to maintain the temperature. To avoid this, store heavier items such as milk and juice cartons on the main shelves and reserve the door shelves for lighter items like condiments, sauces, and small bottles. 

Use a Surge Protector

Electrical surges can damage your refrigerator’s electronic components. Using a surge protector can safeguard your appliance from power spikes and extend its lifespan. This small investment can save you from expensive repairs or replacements in the future.

Power surges can occur unexpectedly and cause significant damage to your refrigerator’s electronic components. A surge protector is an affordable and effective way to protect your appliance from these power spikes. By using a surge protector, you can prevent damage to the refrigerator’s control board, compressor, and other critical components, ultimately extending the life of your appliance and avoiding costly repairs.

When to Call a Professional Fridge Repair Service

Maintaining your refrigerator is essential for its longevity and efficiency. By following these simple tips, you can keep your fridge in top condition and avoid costly repairs. At ARNI Services, we are committed to providing top-notch appliance repair and maintenance services. Our experienced appliance technicians are always ready to help you with any appliance issues.

Knowing when to call a professional for fridge repair is crucial to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. If you notice unusual noises, persistent temperature fluctuations, or excessive frost buildup, it’s time to seek professional help. Additionally, if your refrigerator is leaking water, not cooling adequately, or the door seals are worn out, these are clear signs that an expert should inspect your appliance. Attempting DIY fixes can sometimes worsen the issue or even pose safety risks. At ARNI Services, our experienced appliance technicians are equipped to diagnose and repair a wide range of refrigerator problems, ensuring your appliance runs efficiently and safely. Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a costly repair—contact us for professional fridge repair at the first sign of trouble.

Why should I contact refrigerator repair technicians, can I fix my refrigerator by myself?​

Some simple issues can be repaired with just a little effort, while other repairs require more skills. You can repair it on your own if you are a technical person and know what you’re doing. It is best to contact a experienced repair technician if the issue is complex that involves a trained refrigerator technician or you do not know what you are doing.

Not only can you do harm to your fridge, but to yourself. Sometimes giving a specialist to handle the problem can save you money rather than fixing it yourself and installing the wrong part or making damage to the unit. Leave the repair to ARNI Services technicians, they are professional and experienced and can handle your refrigerator repair.

Would it be best to buy new refrigerator and not to repair my old fridge?

The refrigerator is a huge investment and an essential requirement. This household appliance can last as many as 10 to 15 years if you decide buy a high-quality model, but eventually each refrigerator will reach the end of its service life.
You need to take some factor into account when making your decision.
First is the age of your refrigerator, the older your refrigerator is, the better the benefit of replacing it. The cost of repair, some repairs might be minimal, which will make your refrigerator last a few more years, and in other cases, some repairs are very costly, and it is probably best to spend the money on a new refrigerator.

If it is an outdated refrigerator that uses old refrigerants that are not environmentally friendly and comprehensive to fix , it will be better to replace it with a new and much more efficient model.

You can find comfort in the fact that today’s models use less energy than older refrigerators if you have to upgrade your refrigerator and, because they’re on all the time , a new one can save you cash in the long run.

Understanding Error Codes

If your modern refrigerator is showing an appliance error code, it’s using its built-in diagnostic system to indicate a specific problem. These sophisticated appliances can detect faults within their system and alert you through these error codes. When you see an appliance error code, it means the fridge has identified an issue that likely requires professional attention. With numerous refrigerator and freezer brands and models featuring digital displays, it’s crucial to note down any flashing error codes. This information is invaluable to a skilled repair technician, who can use it to understand and address the problem more efficiently before even arriving. Providing this code in advance helps pinpoint potential issues, making the repair process smoother and quicker. At ARNI Services, our experienced appliance technicians are equipped to diagnose and repair a wide range of refrigerator problems, ensuring your appliance runs efficiently and safely. Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a costly repair—contact us for professional fridge repair at the first sign of trouble.

We’re here to help with all your appliance needs! Contact ARNI Services today for a fast and reliable diagnosis of your major home appliances. Whether you need installation of new appliances or repair of existing ones, our team of experts is here to get your fridge running smoothly again.