Your fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home. It keeps your food fresh, your drinks cold, and your ice cream frozen. But did you know that your fridge also needs some TLC to keep it running smoothly and efficiently? Here are some tips on how to maintain your fridge and extend its lifespan.
Clean the coils at least twice a year. The coils are located at the back or bottom of your fridge, and they help to dissipate the heat generated by the compressor. If they are dirty or dusty, they can reduce the cooling efficiency and increase the energy consumption of your fridge. To clean them, unplug your fridge, use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to remove the dust, and plug it back in.
Check the seals regularly. The seals are the rubber gaskets that line the door of your fridge, and they help to prevent the cold air from escaping and the warm air from entering. If they are cracked, torn, or loose, they can cause your fridge to work harder and use more electricity. To check them, close the door on a piece of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, you need to replace the seal.
Defrost the freezer if needed. Some fridges have a self-defrosting feature, but others require manual defrosting. If you have a manual defrosting freezer, you should defrost it when the ice buildup is more than a quarter of an inch thick. Too much ice can reduce the storage space and the cooling efficiency of your freezer. To defrost it, turn off your fridge, remove all the food, place a towel or a tray under the freezer to catch the water, and wait for the ice to melt. You can also use a hairdryer or a fan to speed up the process.
Now that you know how to take care of your fridge, here are some tips on how to use it wisely and save some money.
Adjust the temperature according to your needs. The ideal temperature for your fridge is between 37°F and 40°F (3°C and 4°C), and for your freezer is between 0°F and 5°F (-18°C and -15°C). If you set them too high, you risk spoiling your food and wasting energy. If you set them too low, you risk freezing your food and wasting energy.
Organize your food properly. The way you store your food in your fridge can affect its quality and shelf life. As a general rule, you should keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood on the bottom shelf or in a separate drawer to prevent cross-contamination. You should also keep dairy products, eggs, and leftovers on the middle shelf, fruits, and vegetables in the crisper drawers, and condiments and drinks on the door shelves.
Don’t overfill or underfill your fridge. If you overfill your fridge, you can block the air circulation and cause uneven cooling. If you underfill your fridge, you can make it work harder to maintain the temperature. The optimal fill level for your fridge is between 70% and 80%. You should also leave some space between the items to allow the air to flow freely.
Finally, here are some fun facts about fridges.
Did you know that the coldest place in your fridge is usually the back of the bottom shelf? That’s because cold air sinks and warm air rises. So if you want to keep something extra cold, put it there.
Now, what do you call a fridge that can sing? A cool box.
And how do you know if your fridge is happy? It hums.
These home maintenance tips can help you keep your home in good shape and save money on repairs and utilities. But if you ever feel like your home is no longer meeting your needs or expectations, and you want to find a new one that suits you better, I’m here to help. I’m a professional and reliable real estate agent in Salt Lake City, and I can help you sell your current home and buy your dream home.
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