How to Maintain Your Refrigerator and Save Money

The refrigerator is one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. It keeps food from spoiling, and keeps your soda nice and cool on a hot summer day. The refrigerator can also use a lot of electricity to do its job. A refrigerator can be less energy efficient over time costing you money on your electricity bill. Over time your refrigerator may not cool as well as it did when you first got it. With a little maintenance, your refrigerator can be running as energy efficient as possible and cooling as good as it did when you first got it.

Over time your refrigerator will collect dirt, dust, pet hair, and other things. The easiest way to clean all of that stuff out from under it is to use the hose attachments on your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to get the coils completely clean in the process as well as bottom front grill on your refrigerator. On most models it can be easily removed for cleaning. Make sure to vacuum behind the grill as well. If the coils are kept clean your refrigerator can be 30% more efficient.

The next step is to start cleaning inside of the refrigerator. Make sure that the air vents inside the refrigerator are completely unblocked. Make sure to check for materials such as plastic wrap which can be overlooked. While you are at it you might as well get rid of anything old or that has expired.

Surprisingly, a full refrigerator keeps the cool better than an empty refrigerator. The best way to help keep a refrigerator efficient is to fill plastic containers with water and put them in your refrigerator to keep it full. As a bonus you will always have plenty of cold drinking water as well. Do not overfill your refrigerator however. The goal is to keep it as full as possible without hindering the airflow inside of the refrigerator which will reduce efficiency.

If your refrigerator is right up against the wall pull it away from the wall a couple of inches. That way air will flow underneath the unit. If possible, make sure that the refrigerator is not in direct sunlight. Also make sure that your refrigerator is not next to the stove. The heat given off when the stove is in use will make the refrigerator work overtime to keep cool.

Make sure to check the door seals. They can become dry or cracked and not seal the door properly which will allow cold air to escape the refrigerator. If the seals are dried or cracked, use a thin layer of Vaseline all along the door seal. It will keep the cold in much better as well as make the door seals last a lot longer.

When you open your refrigerator door to remove food or a beverage, try to do it quickly. It will prevent a lot of the cold air from escaping, saving you some money.

Refrigerators can be responsible for up to 60% of your electricity bill. By following these tips and maintaining your refrigerator, you can save money on your electricity bill.