Heating, Cooling and HVAC

The folloqwing maintenance steps are to be followed to keep your fridge functioning correctly.

Step-01. First, clean the condenser coils (5 minutes

Step-1. Unsnap the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator to access the coils. If your coils are located on the back, you’ll have to roll the fridge out to get at them.

Step-2.Clean the coils with a special coil cleaning brush to loosen the dirt and dust. Vacuum the coils as you brush. Be careful not to bend the fan blades. A gentle brushing will do the job.

You can eliminate more than 70 percent of service calls with this simple cleaning step 1 and 2. Skip this chore and you’ll be contributing to your appliance repairman’s retirement fund. Not to mention handing over $5 to $10 a month extra to your utility company because the fridge isn’t running efficiently. Do it twice a year or more often if you have shedding pets. Their fur clogs up the coils fast.

Step-3.Some refrigerators have the coils on the back of the unit. Brush and vacuum these coils in the same manner as coils found under a refrigerator.

Condenser coils are located on the back of the fridge or across the bottom. These coils cool and condense the refrigerant. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust, they can’t efficiently release heat. The result is your compressor works harder and longer than it was designed to, using more energy and shortening the life of your fridge. Clean the coils with a coil cleaning brush and vacuum. A coil cleaning brush ($6) does a thorough job and will easily pay for itself (look for one at appliance parts stores). The brush is bendable to fit in tight areas. They can be used for cleaning your dehumidifier and air conditioner coils too.

Step-4.Access the condenser fan by rolling the fridge away from the wall and removing the lower back cover with a screwdriver. Replace the cover when you’re finished. It’s essential for good air circulation.

Step-5.Clean the fan blades with the brush and vacuum so air can move freely across them. Also clean the shaft by vacuuming the crease where the blade meets the motor. Don’t lubricate the shaft; oil will attract dirt and cause problems.

If the coils are located on the bottom of the fridge like ours, clean the condenser fan and the area around it. (Fridges with coils on the back don’t have a fan.) The fan circulates air across the coils to help cool them. At times, paper, dirt, dust and even mice can get sucked into the fan and bring it to a complete stop.

These steps show you how to clean the fan. Yours could be in a different area, but it’s always next to the compressor. Most refrigerators will have a diagram on the back or folded up under the front grille showing the location of the major parts. While you’re under there, wipe out the drip pan, a flat pan that collects water from the defrost cycle and allows it to evaporate.

Source: The Family Handyman

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