If you want to keep your refrigerator working properly as long as possible, be prepared to perform a bit of exterior maintenance periodically. A few minutes of time on occasion can save you hundreds of dollars in repair and electric bills. Here are some things to check.
If your refrigerator is always running instead of staying in a quiet mode for periods of time, do you know what to do? When you hear that mechanical sound that tells you the refrigerator is “working,” that may mean your unit is being overworked. A loud humming or buzzing noise means something is wrong. Sometimes you can get used to the sound and not even notice there is a problem. Get in the habit of listening for potential trouble.
There are only a few things that would cause an unusual noise .One reason is that the coils on the back are dirty or dusty. Today’s refrigerators have condenser coils either on the back or down at the bottom, and twice a year they should be cleaned. If you have pets, you need to clean them every couple of months. Pull out the refrigerator and check. Whether they appear dirty or not, vacuum the rear coils every few months. Make sure you unplug the refrigerator cord before you get started. Next, plug in the vacuum cleaner and put on the brush attachment. Sweep the coils gently but firmly to loosen and remove dust. Continue vacuuming the back and sides of the refrigerator, and then pull it away from the wall to sweep underneath. Please be careful when you are doing this because it can tip over. To clean a condenser coil that is located at the bottom, pull out the unit far enough to unplug it and remove the grille at the bottom. Taking a flashlight in one hand and using the wand attachment on the vacuum cleaner, vacuum the coils and then put the grille back on.
Another reason for a loud noise is that your fridge may have a faulty gasket. If you know something about motors, you may be able to replace this yourself after unplugging the appliance. If not, it’s time to call the repairperson to come out for a house call. Ask for a maintenance check while the person is there. Your fridge also may have a problem with the condenser fan, or there may be something wrong with the motor, so have the repairperson check out these parts, too.
Another maintenance item to check is whether the refrigerator is level. This is easy to do; all you need to do is to take a carpenter’s level and put it on the top front of the refrigerator, then look where the bubble is. It should be between the two lines. If not, adjust the legs at the bottom with a adjustable wrench until the bubble is between the two lines. Now push the refrigerator back slowly and check it again with the level. It should still be level unless the floor is uneven. You can plug it in when you finish. Push the refrigerator back in place. Check your electric bill next month; it should be cheaper.
Don’t forget to wipe off the exterior surfaces to eliminate germs, and check handles to be sure they remain fixed and secure. Vacuum the grille area at the bottom, if your unit has one. A few minutes of careful attention can provide security and reduce maintenance costs.
