Refrigerator Maintenance

Steps

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and disconnect the power before performing maintenance on your refrigerator.
• If you have pets, clean the coils every three months. Otherwise, clean them every six months.
• Clean refrigerator coils by brushing them off or vacuuming them. The coils are located at the back or on the bottom of the refrigerator. Use extra caution to avoid damaging the coils. (The coils transfer heat from inside the unit to the outside air. Because dust acts as an insulator, dusty heat exchange coils cannot get rid of heat as easily and the refrigerator has to work harder to keep the inside cool. Regular cleaning can improve the efficiency by as much as 30 percent.)
• If your refrigerator is not frost free, defrost it when frost is ¼- to ½-inch thick.
• If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure it works. If it doesn’t, turn the icemaker off until repairs are made by a certified professional.
• Check that your refrigerator’s door seals are airtight. To test them, close the door on a sheet of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced to prevent cold air from leaking out.

Other Energy-Saving Tips

• Always place the refrigerator or freezer away from potential heat sources.
• Keep the refrigerator temperature at 37-40°F. The freezer temperature should be set at 0-5°F for long-term storage or at 10-15°F if frozen foods are typically eaten quickly.
• Replace older refrigerators to reduce energy bills by as much as $15 per month, a potential savings of $180 per year. For more information, see article Selecting Energy-Efficient Appliances.