It can be tricky to understand if you’re running your refrigerator at optimum efficiency levels. Typically you would question its effectiveness when things aren’t as cool as you think they should be, or you start to find a build-up of ice, for example.
At Moore Appliance Repair, we have 5 ways to make your refrigerator more efficient, which will save you money in running costs, refrigerator repairs, and increase the length of its life.
By putting warm items into the fridge, you encourage it to work overly hard in regulating the interior air temperature and flow.
Not only is this damaging to the refrigerators, motors, and compressors, which will lead to a shorter life, you’re also risking your health...
While refrigerators will cool warm food, it works much harder to do so. So if your fridge isn’t at maximum efficiency, it could mean taking longer than 2 hours to do its job if that food was too warm, to begin with.
Any food should be cooled within 2 hours to avoid the growth of bacteria. If you leave the covered food on the worktop for an hour and then refrigerate, it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool it, saving your fridge’s longevity chances as well as your health and wellbeing.
Just as you would furniture, keep your refrigerator a good couple of inches gap from the wall. This will allow air to circulate, preventing any overheating, thus more efficient and longer-lasting.
Also, clean the back panel - clearing dust, grime, and general build-up of debris. Keeping the coils at the back of the refrigerator clear will allow it to regulate its external temperature and work more efficiently.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, fridge temperatures should be 40 °F or below. This is to protect food from growing bacteria and posing health issues to consumers.
Minimize the number of times you open and close the fridge door; it affects the refrigerator's internal temperature and makes it work harder to maintain the set temperature.
Not all refrigerators have temperature gauges built-in, so buy one and set it on the shelf. If you see a sudden rise (or dip) in temperature, or you start hearing any concerning noises, consider calling out a refrigerator repair company as soon as possible.
Plenty of refrigerators call themselves frost-free; in other words, manual defrosting shouldn’t be required. However, older models do need defrosting and, if you’re not using your refrigerator efficiently, newer models can also be affected.
Always ensure the unit to unplugged from the wall (and that food is safely stored elsewhere)
Never use any electrical heating device to defrost your refrigerator
Steer clear of sharp items such as ice picks or knives to protect the inner lining from damage
Refrigerator efficiency is paramount when it comes to health, cost-saving, and being green or energy conscious. Use these tips to remind yourself of ways you can ensure you get the best out of your appliance and boost your chances of having a refrigerator repair rather than needing an entire upgrade.
When you need appliance or refrigerator repair, Moore Appliance Repair is here to help. Contact us today!