When your fridge breaks down, it can cost hundreds of dollars in repairs. However, when our repair specialists present themselves for a service call, they frequently discover that the problem could have been avoided if clients had known how to take care of their appliance. Since our goal is to serve you long term, we took some time to give you a few tips that will help you take care of your appliance to avoid unnecessary fridge repair fees, as well as extend the lifetime of your appliance and help you save hundreds of dollars!
Clean the condenser coils
These are very important components of the fridge, since the condenser allows the fridge to work and to produce cold. You can clean them every 3 to 6 months with a vacuum cleaner in order to get rid of the dust that accumulates behind your fridge. For high-end appliances like the Sub-Zero, Brigade or Thermador brands for examples, the coils are located at the top of the fridge, behind the grid. It is recommended that you unplug them first and some manufacturers also recommend that you wear gloves while doing so. A condenser repair can cost up to 500$!
Defrost your fridge every 3 months
If your refrigerator does not have an automatic defrost mode, it is possible that some frost has accumulated on the sides of your freezer. Defrosting consists of getting rid of that frost, which isolates the sides of the fridge and requires its compressor to work harder, makes it consume more energy and therefore break your it. To defrost, empty your fridge, unplug it, and use a dryer or boiling water to make the frost melt. Do not use a metallic scraper, use a plastic one instead and make sure you are not scraping too hard in order to protect the inside of your fridge.
Verify the draining system
It is important to verify it because a clogged drain will only increase the formation of condensation (water vapor that transforms into water), which will create leaks in the back of your fridge. To check if the drain is clogged, all you have to do is find the drain (usually located inside the fridge, at the bottom) and verify if it seems frozen. If yes, unplug the fridge for one night so the ice can melt down.
Make sure the doors are always closed and the gasket is clean
The doors of a refrigerator are hermetically sealed because of the gasket, which is the rubber piece that goes along the edge of the doors. When the gasket is dirty, the doors can stay slightly opened, which causes the cold air to escape, therefore increasing the amount of energy used by the fridge, as well as overusing the compressor. Moreover, if the gasket is dirty it could become sticky, which can cause it to tear when you try to open the door. Take 5 minutes once a month to clean it with a wet towel and rub it around to get rid of the accumulated dirt. Replacing a gasket can easily cost more than 150$, so clean it as often as you can to avoid this!
Follow these tips and you will extend your refrigerator’s lifetime, as well as avoiding costly frequent repairs. Why not put a reminder on your agenda right now?
If regardless of these tips your refrigerator does not seem to be working, please refer to our diagnostic toolhere(in french only).