Is Your Refrigerator an Energy Efficient Appliance?
Your refrigerator cycles on and off all day and night. Because this hard-working appliance never rests, it makes economic sense to stay on top of its maintenance. Here are some of the major signs that your refrigerator needs a little TLC to be energy efficient.
4 Signs Your Fridge is Driving Up Your Energy Bills
The Unit is Sweaty
Have you noticed water droplets on your fridge’s walls, shelves, or the contents themselves? Are there puddles at the bottom of the box? Condensation in your fridge could lead to the growth of hazardous mold and mildew.
One potential cause of condensation is a faulty gasket – the elastic band that lines the doors. The gasket is supposed to seal warm air out and cold air in, but when it fails, unwanted moisture occurs. Consider purchasing a replacement gasket and installing it yourself.
The Grille is Dusty
Your refrigerator’s grille is a vent-like panel located at the top or bottom of the unit. Is it dusty? If so, the coils beneath and behind it probably need cleaning. Remove the grille and wipe it with a damp cloth. Once that’s done, prepare to dive in and explore your coils.
The Coils are Furry
The amount of dust and/or pet hair accumulated on your refrigerator’s coils may surprise you. Refrigerator coils often appear “furry” when they’ve been neglected for too long. This blanket of debris makes the appliance work extra hard to chill your food.
The outermost layers of debris can be sucked up with a vacuum cleaner attachment, but difficult-to-reach coils require a bit of elbow grease. Loosen the debris with an inexpensive coil cleaning brush, then slurp it up with your vacuum cleaner.
The Fridge Stops Working
If your refrigerator stops working altogether, you may worry that you need to replace it. However, the problem could be the result of a tripped circuit breaker. Reset the circuit. If it trips, you could have an electrical problem on your hands. Before your food spoils, contact a qualified electrical expert.
Be Vigilant and Save Money
With some straightforward refrigerator maintenance and a little vigilance, you can consistently save money throughout the year. In fact, there are ways to improve the energy efficiency in every corner of your home, be it large energy-consuming appliances like your refrigerator or the entire electrical system in your home. If you’re interested in reducing your eco-footprint and saving some money in the process, schedule an energy audit with a professional local electrician — you won’t believe how much you’ll learn about your energy costs and how to reduce them. Contact Luminous Electric today at .