A sustainable and healthy lifestyle and an optimal environment often go hand-in-hand. Being conscious of water and energy consumption, recycling frequently, and buying items that are made with environmentally friendly packaging can help reduce your carbon footprint.

You will also decrease the amount of waste you produce by properly maintaining the appliances that you already own. Proper maintenance of said items will help them last longer and will save you more money over the long run.

By following the refrigerator maintenance tips below, you will be able to enjoy your current model for many years to come.

Where to Start Fridge Maintenance

Some simple cleaning tasks will help keep your fridge running like clockwork. These tasks will also help you quickly diagnose any minor issues so that they can be remedied before they become far larger, and far more expensive, problems for you in the future.

Begin by cleaning out the unit. Remove everything, check labels, and throw out any expired items. Next, wipe down your fridge using some soapy water and a sponge.

Any gunk that you see should be scrubbed off thoroughly. Organize the fridge after you are done eliminating the gunk by placing the items that will expire soonest at the front of the unit. Next, you will need to reset the temperature of your fridge.

The temperature should range between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 - 4.4 Celsius) for your fridge. Moreover, your fridge should be kept full whenever possible. This is done in order to maintain the cool internal temperature of the appliance.

The evaporator and condenser coils of your fridge also need to be cleaned on a routine basis in order to expand their lifespan and prevent them from overheating.

Why is it necessary to keep your refrigerator in good working order?

You will become better acquainted with your refrigerator by performing routine inspections on it. Any issues that you detect can be quickly nipped in the bud before they become serious problems.

You may actually be able to expand the life of your refrigerator by as much as 20 years in some cases by simply maintaining it. An extended warranty may also help protect your investment if your warranty is about to expire and your fridge has seen better days.

A commercial cooler is also something to look into if you are thinking about expanding your food business.

How do you fix common refrigerator issues?

If the unit is making noise, then the fridge may be uneven. The motor may rattle every now and then if the unit is not stable. Adjust the legs in order to try and level the fridge. If buzzing is the big issue, then your water connection may be the problem.

The water connection to the ice-maker may be loose, so please inspect it. If you are not interested in making ice, then you can turn off the ice-maker in order to cut back on the noise.

Moreover, if your refrigerator is leaking, then clean its gaskets. Since they are made of rubber, they are vulnerable to leakage if they fail to seal properly. Check the defrost drain as well. It is situated in the freezer, and a clog may cause some leakage.

A drain pan is also installed at the bottom of your refrigerator. In some cases, it may actually fill up with water. If this happens, then some of the water may actually spillover. Empty the drain pan before it fills up in order to easily and quickly eliminate the problem.

If you need to discharge the capacitor, then unplug the appliance. Proceed to extract the service panel. It will be located below the door of the unit or at the back of it. The capacitor resembles a large battery and is situated above the compressor and motor.

You will need a two-watt, 20K ohm resistor to discharge the capacitor. The probes will need to be fastened to it in order to complete the discharge. As for doors that do not close, you can try tilting the appliance to solve the problem.

Another possible solution is to tighten the screws that are situated on the hinges of the unit. If all else fails, then you may need to call a professional repair enterprise to fix your refrigerator problems.

Taking the First Step

The kitchen is the heart of most homes, and the refrigerator is the nucleus of the kitchen. A defective fridge can cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace. By properly maintaining it, you can help expand its lifespan by a few decades. 

Many issues start very small, and can thus be fixed in a few minutes by following the proper instructions.

Sources:

To Fix Refrigerator Problems That Are Common , Best Ways (theappliancecarecompany.com)

Home Maintenance: Taking Care of Your Refrigerator (buildwithrise.com)