5 Ways to Improve Your Refrigerator's Lifespan

A dependable refrigerator is an essential part of any kitchen. It keeps your food and drinks fresh, prevents spoilage, and helps to ensure your health and safety. But with constant use, even the best refrigerators can break down or wear out over time. Here are five tips to improve your fridge's lifespan and make sure your refrigerator remains in the best condition possible.

1. Fill the Fridge

A full fridge uses less energy than a sparsely occupied one because there is less air to cool. The fridge's motor does not have to work as hard as it would with an empty or almost empty fridge, which will have more air than food to cool. Thus, the motor will last longer from less work. 

Also, the already-cold things in the fridge help maintain a lower temperature in the whole unit, which puts less stress on the motor. You can also put water in bottles and jugs to help run the fridge at its best speed.

2. Cool Foods and Drinks Before You Store Them

Warm foods and drinks can cause your fridge to work harder to cool them to ambient temperature. Also, warm and hot substances raise the temperature inside the fridge or freezer, which can cause condensation and frost to form on the shelves and walls. This condensation and frost can hurt the system and make it die sooner.

Also, warm things can make the food and drinks stored inside degrade much faster, which can cause bacteria and other food contaminants to grow. Before you put food and drinks away, put them on the kitchen counter for a few minutes to cool down naturally. Alternatively, you can place them in the fridge with a frozen jug of water beside the hot food.

3. Position It Away From Heat Sources

Heat sources like ovens, dishwashers, and direct sunlight can make the refrigerator's compressor work too hard, which shortens the life of both the compressor and the fridge. The compressor is the one of most important parts of the fridge and is hard to fix if it breaks.

Also, a fridge positioned near heat sources will make its motor work harder. When a motor works harder than it requires, it usually dies sooner than it should. 

Position the fridge in a cooler part of the house. This placement will help it stay cool even in warmer seasons. This consideration will save you money in the long run and give you peace of mind because you'll know your fridge does not have to overwork itself.

4. Clean and Defrost Regularly

Regularly clean the fridge to prevent dust, dirt, and other grime build-ups on the fridge. This cleaning schedule helps the refrigerator use normal operating conditions to cool the air and keep the temperature even.

Also, regularly defrost the fridge to help keep frost and condensation from building up. Defrosting gets rid of the extra moisture inside the fridge. Excessive moisture and frost in the fridge will make it less efficient, use more energy, and even damage the system. 

5. Clear the Top of Any Items

Heat naturally rises and escapes from the top of the fridge. The heat gets trapped inside the unit when you cover the top of your fridge. The trapped heat makes the motor work harder to keep the right temperature, which can cause it to overheat and break down.

Also, items placed on top of the fridge can stop proper airflow, which can cause the motor to work too hard and break down. Also, leave at least an inch of space between the top of the fridge and any cabinets above it to let air flow.

A good repair mechanic can help restore the functionality of your fridge should it experience problems from improper use and maintenance. Contact us at A-Appliance Xperts Inc for refrigerator repairs and other kitchen appliances.