subject: Helpful Reminders In Using And Taking Care Of Your Refrigerator [print this page] Helpful Reminders In Using And Taking Care Of Your Refrigerator
Having a refrigerator can be both convenient and difficult considering that it can cost much not only in buying but also in maintaining. However, while the refrigerator may be one of the costly electronic appliances to run, there are certain rules you can follow to keep it running in an optimal level and still save both energy and money. Read along and find out how to do just that.
Do not be hasty in making the decision of purchasing a brand new refrigerator. There are a few factors you need to consider first before doing that. First is the size of the refrigerator you desire to have. Only buy what you can afford to use because there is no point in buying a large refrigerator if there are only two or three of you in the family. Check for the Energy Star label as well. Appliances that have this label are guaranteed energy savers.
When it comes to maintenance, a twice a month checkup will do. However, make sure that you always check the seals and observe whether they have damages and cracks or not. Damage on the seal may require you to buy a new one. Condenser coils on the other hand need only to be cleaned once a year. For better performance, limit the thickness of the frost to 1 inch. When it exceeds that limit, it's time for you to defrost.
The general rule for positioning the refrigerator is keeping the back and the sides at least four inches away from walls or other objects that might prevent it from achieving its maximum cooling performance. In setting the temperature, 42 degrees Fahrenheit is enough to keep energy down and still keep things cool or frozen.
Keeping the refrigerator full all the time is also a good way to keep the energy consumption to a low level. When storing food in the freezer, it's okay not to leave allowance for space. However, for foods in the main compartment, it is advised to leave at least 1 inch distance from the inside walls to maintain the flow of air. Leaving the door open for a long is also a big no-no so tell the kids not to open it especially if there only intention is to play.
After applying these tips for a few months, you will notice a large difference in your electric bill. That is simply because these tips do not come primarily from users but from refrigerator companies who want to give people convenient lives through energy-efficient appliances.
