Clean your Coils
How often should I clean my Refrigerator Coils?
This is a question I get a lot and the answer may surprise you. Most people don’t know that they need to do this at all.
Your refrigerator coils are responsible for getting rid of heat from the fridge. Over time, they can get clogged with dust and dirt, which makes them less effective at doing their job. As a result, your fridge has to work harder to keep things cool, which can lead to higher energy bills.
Avoid costly repairs
This can also cause your refrigerator to fail before it should. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust the refrigerator has to work harder to keep your food cold and make ice etc. Working harder can cause it to fail and you will either have a costly repair or you may need to replace your refrigerator entirely.
So how often should you clean your coils? The general rule of thumb is to do it every six months or so. But if you have pets or live in a dusty environment, you may need to do it more often.
Cleaning your coils is pretty easy and only takes a few minutes. Just unplug your fridge, pull it out from the wall, and vacuum the coils with a brush attachment. Then wipe down the rest of the fridge with a damp cloth. Be sure to vacuum or dust around the coils on the back of the fridge, too.
Once you’re done, plug your fridge back in and give it a test run. You may notice that it’s running more efficiently now. And if your energy bills go down, that’s an added bonus!
Regular cleaning
Add this to your home maintenance schedule or calendar. Twice a year, take a few minutes to clean your fridge coils and dust around the fridge. Your wallet (and the environment) will thank you.
Click here for more information about home inspections