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Just like your car, there are a few things you need to remember in order to prolong the life of your new appliance. Generally speaking, most refrigerators can have a lifespan of 10-15 years with a warranty only lasting 3-5 years. Following a few simple routine steps can help you get the most out of your new refrigerator and avoid high energy bills, part replacement and service fees.
First, it’s time to get out that pesky manual that most of us tend to shove in a drawer until something goes wrong. If you have misplaced or accidentally tossed your manual, don’t worry – it can be located online.
Have you ever opened up your freezer and noticed frost build-up around the sides? Refrigerators require clear and sufficient air flow to maintain temperatures and avoid failure. There is an intake vent and a return vent to evenly circulate the air, one located inside of the refrigerator and one located inside of the freezer. The location of these vents varies depending on the model and can be found in your manual. Once you have located the vents, be mindful not to block them. If items are blocking their air flow it can cause temperature issues and frost build up in the freezer. You should also take them out and clean them one to two times a year to ensure proper air flow.
Your refrigerator also has a condenser coil and fan that should be cleaned one to two times a year as well. The coil location can be found in your manual and you can clean the coils with a refrigerator coil cleaning brush , these can be purchased online or at your home appliance store. These brushes are tapered and flexible making it easy to get between the coils and remove any collected debris. If you are a proud pet owner, you will want to clean the coil a minimum of two times per year (or more) as their fur tends to collect in the coils and can clog it up. As an added bonus, you can also use this brush to clean out your dryer lint vent! Once you have cleaned the coils with the brush, you can use a vacuum to remove and remaining/loose debris.
The condenser fan helps cool the coils and prevent overheating by circulating cool air around them. After you have located your condenser fan, follow the instructions to open it up and wipe it down with a damp towel and use your vacuum to remove any remaining debris. If your drip pan is in the same location, now would be a good time to clean it out as well.
Having a proper seal on your doors ensures that the air is well contained. If your doors do not seal completely, it can force the compressor to work overtime to try to maintain the temperatures. The gasket on your doors can get dirty and become brittle over time causing them to split or crack. You should regularly wipe these gaskets clean to remove any tacky substances with a rag or sponge soaked in warm soapy water.
Remembering these basic guidelines will help guarantee each glass of milk is always chilled to just the right temperature and that your midnight ice cream snack continues to be frosty throughout the years!