Refrigerator repair is something that should be possibly avoided. Refrigerator is one of the most important home appliances. So, it should be properly maintained to avoid any fridge repair. Refrigerator failure can put every family member in trouble. So, follow these tips to avoid refrigerator repair.
We've talked about refrigerator parts and components in another article before. Knowing these components can help you understand why refrigerator maintenance is so important.
Clean condenser coils to avoid refrigerator repair
Most of the fridge problems arise from condenser coil malfunctioning. If the coils are cleaned regularly, the refrigerator repair is 70% less likely. Wipe out the dust on refrigerator coils at least twice a year. You can use a brush or even a vacuum cleaner to do so.
If the coils are located in the back of the fridge, just move the refrigerator to clean the coils and if they are located at the bottom, remove the front grille to access them. In some refrigerators, coils are hidden and inaccessible.
Tip: refrigerator coils are designed to cool down and condensate the refrigerant to its liquid state. If they are covered with dust, they can't easily release heat. So, compressor has to work harder and longer, more energy is used and the fridge life decreases.
Warning: unplug the appliance before any refrigerator repair or cleaning to avoid electric shock.
Clean the condenser fan to avoid refrigerator repair
Another simple measure to avoid refrigerator repair is cleaning the condenser fan. Dust and debris may stick on the fan and prevent it from spinning. You can easily clean the fan using damp cloth. In order to access the condenser fan, the refrigerator back panel should be removed. The condenser fan blows the air around the coils and keeps them cool.
Tip: there is no condenser fan in refrigerators in which the coils are located outside the fridge.
Clean the door gasket to prevent refrigerator repair
Clean the refrigerator door gasket with warm water and sponge. Keeping this simple refrigerator component clean, prevents the high cost of its replacement in case of any damage. Cleaning the door gasket keeps it intact and doesn't let the air inside the fridge come out and prevents the refrigerator repair.
Note: never use any detergent to clean the gasket to avoid any damage.
Clean the freezer vents to avoid refrigerator repair
The vents can be seen in frost-free refrigerators and allow the air to circulate inside the freezer. So, clear foods away from the vents and don't let anything enter and clog them. Thus, you can prevent refrigerator repair and raise its efficiency.
Tip: in order to help with saving energy, keeps the freezer about three quarters full to help the air circulate easily.
Adjust the thermostat to avoid refrigerator repair
Set the refrigerator thermostat at middle settings. This doesn't necessarily prevent refrigerator repair but increase your appliance efficiency and reduce the energy cost.
Note: the proper refrigerator temperature in hot seasons is 3°C for the fridge and -20°C for the freezer. The suitable temperature in cold seasons is 4°C for the refrigerator and -17°C for the freezer.
Clean the drip openings to avoid refrigerator repair
The drip openings direct the defrost water to the drip pan beside the compressor to evaporate. If the openings are clogged, you will have water leaking from underneath your appliance.
We have introduced necessary tools for refrigerator repair before, but just a Phillips screwdriver is enough for doing all the measures explained above to avoid refrigerator repair. But if it's really necessary to repair your appliance, ask a skilled technician to do that. Although, you yourself can be a technician in repairing refrigerators by watching refrigerator training course in HelloTechnic website. Our instructors will teach you everything about refrigerator installation, service, troubleshooting and repair, through films and animations.
