When summer comes to Iowa, it’s not just your air conditioner working hard. Your fridge and freezer also work extra to keep your food cold. When the temperature in your kitchen goes up, they have to work harder, which can make your energy bill higher, cause food to spoil faster, and wear out parts sooner. The good news? A few simple tricks can help them do less work. Here are some easy tips to help your fridge and freezer stay cool this summer.
Set the Right Temperatures
This only takes a minute and makes a big difference. Your fridge should be set between 35 and 38 degrees. Your freezer should be at 0 degrees. If it’s warmer, your food might go bad. If it’s colder, your fridge uses more energy than it needs to. If your fridge has a dial with numbers, get a cheap thermometer from the store to check the temperature.
Clean the Coils
The coils on the back or bottom of your fridge release heat. If they get covered with dust or pet hair, they can’t do their job well. Your fridge has to run more to stay cold. Unplug the fridge, find the coils, and clean them with a vacuum or coil brush. Doing this once or twice a year is very good for your fridge, and summer is a great time to do it.
Check the Door Seals
The rubber part around the fridge and freezer doors keeps cold air inside. If it gets cracked, warped, or dirty, it won’t work well. Try this test: close the door on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the seal isn’t holding cold in. Clean the seals with warm soap and water. If they are damaged, replace them. It’s an easy fix that saves money.
Let Your Fridge Breathe
Your fridge needs space around it to get rid of heat. Keep a couple of inches of space behind and above it. Keep it away from direct sunlight, the oven, and the dishwasher if you can. Also, if you have a second fridge in the garage, remember that garages get very hot in summer. If it isn’t cooling well, that might be why.
Keep It Filled but Not Full
A full fridge stays cold better because the items inside help keep the temperature steady when you open the door. But don’t pack it too tight. Air needs to move around so food doesn’t spoil. Keep some room between items. For the freezer, if it isn’t full, add bottles of water to help keep it cold.
Be Careful When Opening the Door
Every time you open the fridge door, cold air goes out, and warm air comes in. To help, take what you need at once instead of opening the door several times. Also, let hot leftovers cool down before putting them in the fridge. Putting hot food inside makes the fridge work harder.
Watch for Problems
Sometimes, your fridge needs a repair. Look out for these signs:
- The fridge runs all the time and never stops.
- You see condensation or sweat on the outside.
- Frost or ice builds up inside.
- Food spoils too fast or there are warm spots inside.
- You hear humming, clicking, or buzzing sounds.
If you see any of these, don’t wait for it to break down. Fixing small problems early is cheaper and easier. Call or text Westside Appliance Repair at 515-276-8899, or schedule your repair online.
