article

Keeping Your Refrigerator Running Its Best

By Bluehammer Admin

Refrigerators are the most important appliance in the Kitchen. Many home owners make sure to keep the inside of their refrigerators clean but often don't think about the best practices that can help keep their fridge running it's best.

Best practices for a healthy refrigerator

A healthy refrigerator keeps food cold more efficiently while using less electricity. By following these good habits, you can help ensure to keep it running it's best for years.

  • Check the back of your fridge for build up on your coilsYour refrigerator's condensor coils release heat as a byproduct of keeping your food cold. Typically your condensor coils are located on the back of your refrigerator which is a prime area for dust, pet hair and anything else you can imagine to accumulate. You want to keep these coils clear of any debris to make sure they are performing their best and not wasting energy by working extra hard. The best way to clean your coils is to gently vacuum them using your brush attachment. You will need to move your refrigerator away from the wall so use extra caution when moving a large appliance. Some refrigerator coils are accessed by removing the vent grill found on the lower-front area of the appliance. Depending on how dusty your home is, your coils should be cleaned every couple of months allowing them to work at their peak efficiency.
  • Keep hot food out of the fridgePutting hot leftover food into your refrigerator raises the inside temperature. This makes the cooling system work extra to maintain the desired temperature. Let your leftover food cool as close to room temperature as possible, making sure not to let it spoil, before you cover and put it in the fridge.
  • Keep the doors shutWhen you are putting away your groceries, keep the doors shut as much as possible. Gather all items that are going in the refrigerator first. That way you can quickly put them all away without having the door open while you search through your bags. This keeps the inside temperature cooler allowing the condensor to work less.
  • Keep your refigerator away from heat sourcesIf you have the flexibilty, keeping your refrigerator away from radiators, floor heaters and ovens will help extend the life of the condensor. Artificially raising the temperature around a regrigerator makes the unit work harder to keep the inside temperature down causing un needed wear and tear on the motor.
  • Keep the air flowing and the doors sealedA packed refrigerator can reduce the air flow needed to work optimally. Try not to over-stuff your refrigerator and make sure the air vents are not blocked, especially in the freezer. To keep the cold air in, make sure you keep the door seals clean from build up by wiping them down with warm water and a rag. This keeps the seal tight holding in the cold air.

Cleaning the inside of your refrigerator

When it comes to maintaining the health of your refrigerator, keeping the inside clean should be a scheduled maintenance item. A good way to clean your refrigerator (and keep it clean) is to take it in sections. Break your fridge into 4 sections. Each week, clean a section by taking the food out and wiping it down with dish soap and warm water. If you have a hard to erase stain, you can try baking soda or a cleaner. Make sure to follow the directions if you use a cleaner. Cleaning it in sections reduces the amount of work time it takes to keep the interior of your refrigerator clean and also reduces the amount of time your doors are open.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Replacing Your Bathroom Shower or Shower/Tub

Aside from being a great place to sing, showers are an important place to make sure we stay clean.

Best New Security Tips To Keep Your Home Safe While You're On Vacation

Nothing kills your vacation buzz like getting a call from the police back home letting you know your home has been burglarized. Basic home security tips are great, but safety measures are continually evolving, with new and more refined ways to keep you and your home safe.

The Essentials Checklist for Newly Married Homeowners

After a beautiful wedding celebration and exotic honeymoon, you and your loved one are ready to settle in and enjoy your newly married bliss, especially in a new home. Although putting together a house can seem like an everlasting project, you can make it your home right away with the following new-home essentials.

Building an Emergency Fund to Cover Unexpected Home Repairs

With homeownership comes new responsibilities, including repair and maintenance expenses. Sooner or later, you'll encounter a leaky faucet or a blown circuit breaker and quickly learn that keeping your household up and running is no longer as simple as a call to the landlord.

7 Reasons Quartz Counters Are The Answer For Your Kitchen

Has the tide finally turned on granite? In the last few years, granite has continued to be a popular choice for kitchen counters, but has lost ground to quartz, which is now the go-to for homebuyers and renovators, not to mention design shows and flippers. If you're getting ready to redo your kitchen or are building a new home, here are all the reasons to swaddle your counters in quartz.

Understanding Hard Water (and How to Solve It)

Do you have hard water? If you notice spots and films on glasses that come straight from the dishwasher, or you can't seem to work up a good lather when washing your hands, it's a good bet that you do.

How To Design An Entryway That Fits Your Need

It's easy to think you need to live like a robot to have a beautiful home, but that's not the case! The design for your home should always support your unique lifestyle. Designing a house that embraces your life and look is easy: Notice how you live.

6 Smart Updates To Make To Your Bathroom

The idea of renovating your bathroom can be overwhelming, but you don't have to knock down walls or gut the whole thing to make it feel new again. Making smart updates can get you closer to the look you want without the big budget, or the big hassle.

Wall Mounting (Hanging) a Flatscreen TV

Wall mounting your new flatscreen TV not only looks great but also saves space.

Easy Architectural Details You Can Add To Your Home

Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you're not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can be done yourself with minimal skill and money.

See More Articles