Refrigerator Maintenance and Energy Saving Tips

Clean you refrigerator coils and drip pan.

Refrigerator coils are located in the rear or the refrigerator. You can simply vacuum the vents and coils to clean them. Dusty coils have to work harder to cool down the interior and contents of the refrigerator.

The drip pan of the refrigerator should also be cleaned. It is located beneath your refrigerator and can be removed by pulling it out. In automatic defrost models, the water from the defrost process flows out a drain in the floor or the refrigerator and into a pan where it sits until evaporating. Food particles can be carried along and clog the drain or be left behind to rot. The drain pan is located beneath your refrigerator and can be removed from the rear. You can clear out the tube that carries particles to the pan by removing the stopper at the opening. Stick a pipe cleaner or similar device into the opening to push any particles through to the pan. Flush with soapy water and then empty and clean the pan.

Check the gaskets for proper air seals.

The gaskets are the seal that keeps in cold air in and the room air out of the refrigerator and the same for the freezer. The gaskets should last the life of the refrigerator if properly cared for. All you need to do to keep them in good shape is wash them down with soapy water. You can test the condition of the gasket by the 'paper test.' You should not be able to slide a piece of paper between the rubber seal and the wall of the refrigerator (or freezer). If the piece of papers slips between the seal and the wall, the seal is not tight enough and the gasket requires replacement.

Defrost freezer.

For optimum performance, maintain refrigerator temperature between 36°F and 38°F. Freezer temperature should be kept between 0°F and 5°F. Freezers need to be defrosted on occasion for optimum performance. Those without an automatic defrost capability should be cleared of ice that has built up on the inside coils. Ice buildup inhibits the freezer's ability to maintain proper temperature and causes the freezer to work harder than necessary to compensate. Do not allow the frost to accumulate to more than .25 inches. When it reaches this level, it is time to defrost the freezer.

Energy Savings Tips for Refrigerators

• Minimize moisture by keeping food covered and containers shut. Moisture can cause the compressor to work harder unnecessarily.

• Replace paper wrappings on items with aluminum or plastic. Paper is an insulator and therefore may not cool your food items properly.

• Do you really need a spare refrigerator? If you have an extra refrigerator that only holds a few things, reevaluate how much it gets used and how much energy and money you are wasting on it. A 15 year old refrigerator could cost you about $100-$150 per year.

• Keep your refrigerator around 37-40°F for the fresh food compartment. Use a thermometer to check inside temperatures.

• Look for and try using the "energy saver" feature on your refrigerator. This feature allows you to adjust the heating coil under the skin of the refrigerator, which is what works to prevent condensation on your refrigerator.

• Consider the location of your refrigerator and/or freezer. Do not position them in direct contact with hot appliances as this will make the compressor work harder.

Energy Saving Tips for Freezers

• Keep in mind, a full freezer will perform better than a nearly empty freezer.

• Keep your freezer temperature around 0-5°F for the freezer section. Use a thermometer to check inside temperatures.

• Regularly defrost manual-defrost freezers; don't allow frost to build up more than 1/4 inch.

• Keep the doors closed as much as possible and make sure they are closed tightly.