When summer hits, your fridge becomes one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. From cooling down extra groceries to keeping your drinks refreshingly cold, it’s crucial to ensure it’s up to the task. But without the proper prep, the added burden can lead to problems — like your fridge quitting on you in the middle of a heat wave!
Luckily, you can take a few steps to boost your fridge’s performance no matter what heat summer brings! Let’s explore what these are and get you ready for summer!
1. Cleaning the Interior
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You might think it’s a no-brainer, but a clean fridge works more efficiently and keeps your food safer. And summer is the perfect time to give it a thorough cleaning!
- Remove All Items: Take everything out of the fridge, including shelves and drawers. Use coolers to keep perishable items temporarily.
- Clean Shelves and Drawers: Wash removable shelves and drawers with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reinserting. This prevents mold and bacteria growth, which can be more prevalent in warmer temperatures.
- Wipe Down Interior Surfaces: Mix baking soda and water to wipe down the interior walls and surfaces. This helps eliminate odors and ensures a clean environment for your food.
- Check for Expired Items: Remove expired or old items to make room for fresh summer produce and drinks. According to the USDA, regularly removing expired items helps maintain food safety and fridge efficiency.
2. Checking and Cleaning the Coils
During the summer, your fridge is already working harder than usual, but a fridge with dirty coils is working with a handicap! This increases energy consumption and can cause your fridge to break down more frequently. So make sure to follow these steps:
- Locate the Coils: Find the condenser coils at the back or underneath the fridge. Refer to your user manual for exact locations.
- Unplug the Fridge: Always unplug the fridge before cleaning the coils to ensure safety.
- Vacuum and Brush: Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris from the coils. This improves airflow and efficiency, which is especially important in hotter weather.
Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, clean coils can improve energy efficiency by up to 30 percent.
3. Inspecting Door Seals
Keeping the cold in is the fridge’s main job, and sufficient door seals are crucial for maintaining your fridge’s efficiency — especially during summer when the refrigerator is opened more frequently!
- Check for Gaps or Tears: Inspect the door seals (gaskets) for any signs of wear, gaps, or tears. Damaged seals can cause cool air to escape, making your fridge work harder.
- Clean the Seals: Wipe down the seals with warm, soapy water to remove any dirt or grime. Dry thoroughly. Clean seals ensure an airtight closure, preventing energy loss.
- Test the Seal: Close the door on a piece of paper. If the paper slides out quickly, the seal may need to be replaced to maintain efficiency. The USDA recommends checking seals twice a year to maintain optimal performance.
4. Setting the Correct Temperature
Door seals are one thing, but proper temperature settings are key to keeping your food fresh and your fridge efficient during summer. So it’s best to make sure the internal temps are working like they need to!
- Check the Thermostat: Ensure the fridge thermostat is set between 35°F and 38°F for optimal cooling. The freezer should be set at 0°F.
- Use a Refrigerator Thermometer: Place a thermometer inside the fridge to verify the internal temperature and adjust the thermostat if necessary. Consistent temperatures prevent food spoilage.
- Adjust for Summer Heat: High ambient temperatures might require slight adjustments to maintain the correct internal temperature. Increased usage and frequent door openings can also affect internal temperatures.
5. Organizing the Fridge for Summer Efficiency
Did you know a well-organized fridge runs more efficiently and keeps your food fresher? It’s true! By following these steps, you’ll do your fridge a big favor!
- Avoid Overloading: Do not overfill the fridge, which can restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. Proper airflow is crucial for even cooling.
- Allow Space Between Items: Ensure space between items for air to circulate freely. Overcrowding can lead to hot spots and uneven cooling.
- Store Summer Staples Efficiently: Place frequently used summer items like beverages, fruits, and snacks in easily accessible areas to minimize door openings and help maintain internal temperatures.
- Pre-Chill Items: When hosting summer gatherings, pre-chill drinks and food to reduce the load on your fridge. This helps maintain efficient cooling and reduces the risk of overworking the appliance.
6. Managing Increased Summer Usage
Even with a well-organized fridge, the summer months have more frequent door openings and larger grocery hauls. So, keeping an eye on your fridge's performance is essential.
- Plan for Increased Usage: Anticipate the need for extra space by decluttering your fridge before summer. Remove any items that are expired or seldom used.
- Regular Maintenance: Increase the frequency of checks and maintenance during summer to handle the extra load (like our previous tips on cleaning the coils and checking the seals!).
- Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on the fridge's performance, looking for signs of strain, such as unusual noises or longer cooling times. If something like this occurs, it might be a sign that it needs professional servicing!
7. Professional Maintenance and Service
Unfortunately, no matter how well we keep our appliances, sometimes, a professional touch is needed. Whether that means fixing a problem or preventing a problem, contacting pros like our service team at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World does a ton of good!
With professional checkups, we can test and calibrate the internal temperatures and find the reason behind unusual noises like clicking, buzzing, or rattling. But since summer is a busy time for refrigerators, make sure you reach out to us sooner rather than later! It’s always better to prevent a problem before it happens than to deal with the aftermath — trust us!