How Often Do Refrigerator Coils Need to Be Cleaned?
Regular cleaning and maintenance is important for all our appliances – especially those that we use so often we start to take them for granted. Keeping your refrigerator’s coils clean helps it to continue operating efficiently as well as prolonging its lifespan. At Golden Home Management our goal is to make home maintenance a breeze by simplifying the process. Part of that is knowing why maintenance is important and how to know when it’s time to do different tasks.
What Do You Know About Refrigerator Coils?
If you said, “not much,” don’t worry. We’re here with a quick reference guide. The coils are the method used to divert heat away from your refrigerator. They’re located either underneath or at the back of your fridge.
Accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris prevents the coils from dissipating heat effectively. This can cause your appliance to work harder & consume more electricity. It can also lead to inconsistent temperature inside your refrigerator. Over time strain to the compressor can cause it to fail resulting in expensive repairs and ultimately shorten the lifespan of the appliance. Regular cleaning extends the lifespan of the appliance, saving you money in the long run.
How to Know it’s Time to Clean Your Coils
The easiest way to know your refrigerator coils need cleaning is to do a visual inspection. If your fridge has coils on the back this is easier to see. If yours are underneath the appliance seeing them usually requires a flashlight and a very low vantage point. Or you can use technology – slide your cell phone underneath and snap a picture with the flash on. Touch the sides or back of your refrigerator. If these surfaces feel warmer than usual, it could be a sign that the coils are not effectively dissipating heat. If you notice your refrigerator cycling on and off more frequently than usual, it may be struggling to maintain the desired temperature due to dirty coils.
Setting up a regular cleaning schedule is ideal. Then you don’t have to worry about looking for the signs and your refrigerator’s lifespan is preserved. How often depends on your household. Every 6 months is a good routine in general. If you have pets their fur can accumulate quickly and attract more dust and dirt, so every 3 months would be better. Here in Austin, we have a lot of pollen and periods of high humidity. Both factors can contribute to faster build up, so cleaning coils at least once a year is a good idea.
Being attentive to the signs that indicate dirty coils and establishing a cleaning schedule based on your household's needs helps your refrigerator continue to keep your food fresh and your energy bills in check. If your home maintenance tasks are stacking up and starting to feel like too much Golden Home Management can help. Give us a call today, let’s assess your current and future needs.