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


Installing a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans add to the decor of a room and are an energy efficient way to improve cooling when it's hot and heating when it's cold. For simple installations, installing your own ceiling fan is a breeze.

9 Ways to Eliminate Congestion In The Kitchen

Rubbing elbows with chefs isn't always a boon. Consider circulation pathways for a kitchen that lets everyone work in comfort

Clever Ways To Create More Storage In Your Kitchen

Who doesn't need more storage in the kitchen? You may not have a massive space with dozens of cabinets and yards of countertops, but that doesn't mean you don't have the space you need to store all your stuff. Use a few of these clever tricks and you might be surprised how much extra room you can create.

7 Tricks Hotels Use That Can Make Your Home Look and Work Better

Looking to breathe some life into your house? Maybe all you need is a vacation. A hotel stay is great for a lot of reasons - as a romantic getaway, an opportunity to see the world or explore new places, a break from work or kids - but taking a good look at your surroundings can also give you great ideas for refreshing your space when you get back home.

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.

Home Repairs VS Improvements: No Clear Answer

Question: I am having trouble figuring out what constitutes an improvement and what is ordinary maintenance. Thinking ahead to selling my house in a few years when the market rebounds, I have been keeping accurate records so that I can deduct these costs to lower the capital gains. Recently, I remodeled a bathroom, replaced a deck, replaced and upgraded the spa filter and motor, replaced the front door with a fiberglass model guaranteed to last more than my lifetime, and replaced a roof and rain gutters. Which of these can I safely regard as improvements, and which are just maintenance?

A Homeowner's Guide To Water Filtration

Is a home water treatment system a luxury or a necessity? Based on surveys commissioned by the Water Quality Association (an industry trade group), people who viewed water treatment as a luxury rose from 50 to 54 percent between 2013 and 2015.

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.

Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater

Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.

Can't Sleep? Why Your House Might Be To Blame And What You Can Do About It

Not being able to get sufficient sleep isn't just annoying. Beyond making you grouchy and causing you to yawn all day, it can threaten your immune system, impact your memory, and injure your back. There are a number of potential reasons for your sleeping issues, but your house probably isn't helping. With a few fixes, you may be sleeping soundly in no time.

See More Articles