Maintaining Your Fridge: 7 Refrigerator “Don’ts” to Keep In Mind
Just like any of your appliances at home, a fridge needs to be properly taken care of. Fridges are meant to last for a long time, and if you want to ensure yours lasts for as long as possible, you need to know all the proper ways to maintain it.
Not to mention, paying for a repair or replacement may cost you a lot of money. Therefore, it’s crucial that you know how to properly take care of your fridge. Here are some of the things that you should NOT do:
Don’t Place Your Fridge Close to the Wall
Putting your fridge close to the wall or any other appliance in your house can restrict its airflow. Your fridge needs excellent airflow to ensure proper cooling. Keep the fridge at least half a foot away from the wall to allow for proper ventilation.
Don’t Expose Your Fridge to the Sun
Make sure your fridge is not situated in an area where it can get direct sunlight. The sun can heat the fridge up, making it difficult to regulate the temperature. Also, prolonged exposure to sunlight can even affect its color.
Don’t Place Your Fridge Close to Any Heat Sources
Just like with the heat of the sun, placing your fridge in areas near heat sources such as stoves can wear out its motor. When the fridge’s motor isn’t working properly, it will need to run twice as much to maintain the right temperature inside the fridge, causing your energy bills to shoot up. Furthermore, the fridge can eventually overheat and burn out.
Don’t Place It On Carpets
Carpets can retain heat, and when the fridge is placed too long on a carpet, it can cause its compressor to work harder, again, using more energy. When the fridge uses more energy than normal, it can easily break down. In the case the area is already fully carpeted and you have no choice, you can cut a piece of linoleum and slide it under the fridge as a quick solution. However, make sure that the condenser motor doesn’t touch the linoleum as this could damage its blades.
Don’t Use Extension Cords
Make sure that your fridge is directly plugged into a current. Extension cords, especially cheap ones, run inadequate voltage, and this can prevent the compressor from working properly.
Don’t Place It in Low-Temp Areas
Prolonged exposure to low temperature can damage the sealed system of fridges. Make sure that the fridge is placed in an area where the temperature is kept at a normal range.
Don’t Keep It On Its Side
When moving, there are some homeowners who would put the fridge on its side so that it will fit into the truck or a vehicle. However, fridges are not supposed to be on its side because its cooling system is made to stand upright. Putting it on its side can cause the freon to leak, or you can even damage the condenser coils.
If it has been accidentally placed on its side, keep it upright for several hours before you plug it in. By doing so, it will ensure that the oil will go down to the compressor.
Conclusion
Your fridge is an investment, and if you want to make it last for as long as possible, you need to know what NOT to do with it. Keeping these things in mind will help the fridge last and save you from unnecessary costs in the future.
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