Tag Archives: Refrigerator maintenance

Refrigerator Water Filter Care and Maintenance

Because it’s out of sight, your refrigerator’s water filter is often overlooked, forgotten about or just plain neglected. Changing the filter regularly is important, however, as buildup can resultRefrigerator Water Filter in water and ice that are not clear, refreshing or pure.

Worse, bacteria and mold can grow and make its way into your drinking water and ice cubes. This creates smelly, funny-tasting ice and water, but in some cases, it even can make you and your family sick.

Read on for all you need to know about taking care of the filter in your refrigerator.

When to Change the Water Filter

According to most manufacturers, you should change your refrigerator’s water filter once every six months. Keep in mind, however, that this is just a general guideline based on average use.

If your household goes through a lot of water and ice every day, your filter may wear out or clog in fewer than six months. Conversely, if your family does not drink a lot of water, you may be able to wait a little longer before replacement becomes necessary.

Most refrigerators feature a status light that illuminates when it’s time to replace the filter, but you may notice other signs it needs changing. If you detect any unpleasant taste or odor, or if you notice cloudy or dirty ice cubes, don’t wait for the warning light to switch out the filter.

Finding Your Water Filter

Consult your refrigerator’s manual — either the paper copy or an online version — to find out where the filtration system components are. Most filters are behind the base grille or in the front of the refrigerator compartment.

Some have knobs that lock the filter in place; others use a push button along with a cap. In some models, the filter may easily slide in and out, making replacement a breeze. Other models may have a plastic housing that must be removed to access the filtration system. These can be a challenge to work with, depending on their location.

After Changing the Water Filter

After you have located and replaced the refrigerator filter, it is important to run several gallons of water through the new filter before drinking water or using it for ice. Most filters contain activated carbon, and some residue is likely to flow out in the first gallon or two. Without flushing the carbon thoroughly, your water will have an unpleasant, bitter aftertaste.

Though some homeowners are able to change their filters, many prefer the assistance of an experienced appliance professional. Call the experts at Complete Appliance Repair, serving Kaysville, Utah, and the neighboring communities. We will service and inspect your appliance and handle changing your refrigerator’s water filter at the same time.

Refrigerator Maintenance Tips for Preventing Frost Buildup

Performing some simple refrigerator maintenance can save you the time and trouble of dealing with frost buildup later. Plus, you’ll extend the life of your refrigerator and help it run Refrigerator Maintenancemore efficiently. Follow these quick and easy tips and your fridge can be frost-free and running smoothly for years to come.

Keep it Clean

If you have frost in your freezer or refrigerator, your first step is to remove it. You can accomplish this by gently chipping away at the ice, but it’s safer to use a hairdryer to melt it. Once the interior is frost-free, you’ll want to give it a good cleaning with baking soda and warm water. Be sure to completely dry the surfaces, or the remaining moisture will start a new layer of frost.

Typically, your refrigerator funnels condensation through a drain hole into a drip pan. Clean this area as well to keep new frost from accumulating. If the pan is empty, it may indicate a clog in the drain, in which case it’s time for a service call. Also, vacuuming the condenser coils regularly can help keep your appliance running more efficiently.

Keep the Doors Closed

Every time your refrigerator or freezer door is opened, warm air enters, bringing moisture that could turn into frost once the door is closed. So, of course, refrigerator care involves keeping the door closed as much as possible. But closed may not be good enough if your seals aren’t tight. As part of your refrigerator maintenance, take a look at the outside edges of your door to be sure the gaskets are completely flat. Any small rip or gap can let warm air into your fridge. Seals can also dry out over time and become brittle. Check them periodically and have them replaced if you spot any damage.

Keep Food Stored Properly

Regular maintenance should include checking your appliance’s thermostat. Frost can build up if the temperature is set too cold for the ambient temperature of your house. Keeping the refrigerator at about 40 degrees and the freezer at about 0 degrees usually works, but adjust the thermostat if you notice frost accumulating.

A proper temperature is essential for storing food safely, but that’s not the end of the story. Every food item in your fridge should be wrapped or tightly sealed to prevent food’s moisture from escaping. Not only can moisture cause frost buildup, it can also cause freezer burn on your leftovers. Just as important, always allow foods to cool off before putting them in the refrigerator. You don’t want your fridge to work extra hard to cool these foods, and hot foods can cause more moisture accumulation.

Implementing these simple preventive techniques can help keep your refrigerator frost-free and in great working order. For repairs and maintenance, call Complete Appliance Repair, serving customers throughout the greater Salt Lake area. Let us help you with all of your home appliance needs, including regular refrigerator maintenance.

Regular Refrigerator Maintenance Saves Energy and Money

Refrigerator maintenance requires only a small investment of time and money, but it can potentially save you lots on energy bills. It helps to keep your food fresher and at the proper Refrigerator Maintenancetemperature, meaning less spoilage and waste. But maybe the best part about keeping your appliances well-maintained is that it extends their life and significantly reduces the frequency of equipment failure.

Why Your Refrigerator Guzzles Energy

A refrigerator and freezer need to keep running 24 hours a day to keep food at the right temperature. The required fans, coils, condensers and moving parts make it a power hog. In fact, it uses about 13 percent of all the energy consumed by most homes. Certain practices when storing food can make it work even harder, driving up energy use. Here is a look at how you can save:

Tips for Effective Refrigerator Maintenance

  • Fill it Up. The fuller your freezer and refrigerator are, the more efficiently they run. Keeping the fridge well loaded also lets you keep more food fresh and cold. If you experience a power outage and your refrigerator and freezer are full, your food will stay safe for twice as long than if it was half full. Just make sure that you leave room for air to circulate.
  • Keep it Away from Heat. This sounds logical, but the number of refrigerators that are positioned next to stoves, heaters or large windows is surprising. That can cost you plenty, because for every degree above 70 your kitchen is, your refrigerator will use 2.5 percent more energy.
  • Keep it Sealed. Check the seals and gaskets around your refrigerator and freezer regularly. They deteriorate with age, and if they are dirty, the seals simply don’t work. You can test how tight the seal is by shutting the door on a single piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out without pulling hard, you know your seal needs attention. Though you will have to pay a refrigerator repair person to do the job, it is well worth the price. Damaged seals and gaskets let cold air seep out, which adds significantly to your energy costs.
  • Clean the Coils. Dust and grime cause the coils on the back and underside of your refrigerator to become inefficient. By vacuuming them every four or five months, you can reduce the amount of energy used by as much as 6 percent.
  • Cool Your Food. Most food can safely be left on the counter to cool for up to two hours. Do this with hot food before putting it into your refrigerator for storage. If foods are close to room temperature, your refrigerator won’t have to work as hard to chill them.
  • Use Glass. Glass storage containers are the best conductors of cold, keeping the food at a cooler temperature for a longer period.
  • Cover Food. When food is not covered, it can release moisture into the interior of your freezer or refrigerator, making the compressor work harder and use more energy.

By following these six tips, you can keep your refrigerator-freezer operating with peak efficiency. Regular refrigerator maintenance will also save you money on your energy and grocery bills. Contact Complete Appliance Repair of Salt Lake City for all of your appliance needs, including regular refrigerator maintenance.

Top Refrigerator Maintenance and Cleaning Hacks

 

Fridge Maintenance/CleaningRefrigerator maintenance and cleaning may not be high on your to-do list, but maybe it should be! A common mistake homeowners make is skipping refrigerator cleaning and periodic maintenance. No matter how hard you try to keep your favorite kitchen appliances spot cleaned, a full-scale attack is necessary every so often. If it’s been a while (or forever) since you’ve really cleaned your refrigerator, the following tips and tricks are bound to inspire you to don your gloves and line up your cleaning materials.

Why Maintain Your Refrigerator?

Cleaning your kitchen workhorse thoroughly kills germs and eliminates noxious odors. This also gives you the chance to throw out jars and food products that are long past their expiration dates. Perhaps the biggest benefit of refrigerator cleaning is removing the frost in the freezer or ice dispenser and killing the germs that can make you and your family sick. As a bonus, taking care of your appliances means they will last longer and require fewer repair calls.

Getting Started

To keep your fridge sparkling (and to avoid shopping for a new one soon), follow this periodic fridge-cleaning schedule.

  • Daily – Wipe up spills before they have a chance to dry. Also wipe the rims of jars, bottles and containers before storing them to stem the growth of bacteria.
  • Weekly – Wipe refrigerator doors with a cloth dampened with mild dishwashing detergent or white vinegar. Make sure to properly clean the handles, edges and top of the appliance.
  • Seasonally – At least twice a year, turn off your fridge and empty its contents before washing its shelves and crisper drawers.

Special Instructions

Refrigerator cleaning isn’t a herculean task, but the following tips will help you scrub less and keep your appliance spotless all year long.

  • Check the manufacturer’s manual for recommended cleaning products and detergents. You can also create your own rinse-free cleaner by combining a gallon of hot water, one cup of ammonia, half a cup of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda.
  • Buff the exterior with paste wax to prevent grease buildup on the appliance’s exterior and to make wiping up spills a breeze.
  • If you have an odor issue, dampen a few cotton balls with vanilla or orange extract and tuck them in a corner inside the fridge.
  • Check your refrigerator for a drip pan, located at the bottom behind the grill. Not every model has one today, but if you have a bad odor you can’t quite get rid of, this is a likely possibility. Clean it thoroughly, rinse with white vinegar, and allow it to dry before tucking it back in.
  • To be thorough, switch off the fridge and gently vacuum the coils underneath or in back every few months.

Schedule a Maintenance Service

Last but not least, have your refrigerator checked over once a year by a professional appliance repair company. In Salt Lake City, Complete Appliance Repair is your go-to source for appliance sales, installation, service and repair. Contact them today as part of your proactive refrigerator maintenance program.

How to Clean Refrigerator Coils

If you have clean refrigerator coils, you’re reducing your risk of appliance failure by almost 75 percent. The coils are what keeps refrigerant flowing. If they become coated in greasy grime Refrigerator Coilsand pet hair, the unit struggles to work and will eventually fail. Fortunately, the cleaning process is quick and easy. If you maintain your kitchen appliances properly, they will provide you with trouble-free operation for years to come.

Why Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

When dust, animal fur and other debris builds up on your refrigerator’s condenser coils, the appliance can lose efficiency. Its parts can wear out more quickly and draw unusually high amounts of power when its working harder to keep its cool. Because dirty coils build up heat, the system can stop working entirely, potentially causing your food to spoil. For some types of flooring, a buildup of gunk on the coils at the base of the refrigerator can cause a sticky, gooey mess. Three out of four refrigerator repair calls are said to be the result of neglecting coil maintenance.

Steps for Cleaning the Coils

Unplug the unit and pull it away from the wall. The coils are typically at the base of the unit, but some may be on the back. If yours are on the back, give them a quick dusting and call it good for another year. If they’re on the bottom, however, clean them thoroughly every six months (more frequently if you have pets that shed). You may have to remove a plastic cover or kick plate from the front or rear. Start with a bendable coil cleaning brush, removing as much debris as possible from the front and rear. Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice or vent attachment to remove any remaining dust, taking special care around the condenser fan.

Keeping Your Fridge Coils Clean

The most effective way to prevent future problems is to stay ahead of the dust and pet hair. Things end up under the refrigerator after they’ve blown around for a few days. It’s also helpful to keep the walls around the unit clean and grease-free. If the dust you cleaned away was particularly greasy, check your stove’s vent fan. Finding a greasy buildup away from the stove area is a good indication that the filter may be clogged or you’re simply not using it often enough. Ensure that your fridge has plenty of space for air circulation. Most experts suggest a three-inch minimum clearance on each side and six to 12 inches on top. Don’t stack items on top, as this can hold in dangerous heat.

Complete Appliance Repair, serving the communities in and around Salt Lake City, is your local expert for appliance repair and maintenance. Their professional technicians carry a full supply of parts on their trucks, ensuring a quick and effective repair. Ask them for tips on the best way to clean refrigerator coils.