One of the hardest working appliances you’ll ever use is a refrigerator. But when you neglect to perform regular maintenance on it, it may not run as efficiently as it could. A refrigerator that consumes too much extra energy or doesn’t hold the right temperature isn’t running well. It will make it difficult for residents to stay in your home and may also put your budget and health at risk. By taking the time to learn simple maintenance tasks, you are making sure that the refrigerator in your home doesn’t break down but continues to run efficiently and safely.
The first step to taking care of a refrigerator is to carefully evaluate its condition. Appliance experts say that it is necessary to do regular energy evaluation on your appliances. According to Mr. Appliance, a home’s major appliances use up to 13 percent of the total electricity load. By making certain they are running efficiently, you can save so much on your monthly electric bill. What many renters don’t know is that old and worn-out appliances greedily consume more electricity than newer, more efficient models. Don’t be afraid to ask your landlord to replace it if your Forest rental’s refrigerator is more than ten years old.
But even new refrigerators need regular maintenance to run efficiently for many years. Thankfully, refrigerator maintenance is easy to accomplish. Actually, the hardest part is probably just remembering to do it every year.
The first thing you have to know about refrigerator maintenance is about cleaning the condenser coils. You have to clean it at least once a year to keep it running efficiently. Dirt and dust can gather on the coils, allowing them to retain heat and put a strain on the compressor. If that happens, your refrigerator wouldn’t work well. It would fail to maintain a consistent temperature or keep food cold, and it may even break down. To clean the coils, all you have to do is remove the back panel or the grill on the bottom front section of the refrigerator. Then, with a vacuum or bristle brush, gently remove any collected dirt, then replace the panel. Then you’re done!
An additional significant maintenance task is to clean the gaskets. The gasket is the rubber or plastic seal that runs all the way around each door. When this seal gets dirty, it won’t seal properly, resulting in the refrigerator leaking cold air while increasing your utility bills. The gasket should be cleaned with mild soap and a sponge every few months to retain your refrigerator’s efficiency and keep it running in good condition.
As a tenant, you are a large part of helping with appliance maintenance. There are a number of otherwise conscientious tenants who don’t know basic refrigerator maintenance. They unknowingly damage it by their neglect or misuse. They may even end up paying more for electricity than they should be, merely because they didn’t complete some basic steps. Obtaining the correct information and bearing in mind when maintenance should be accomplished can make a big difference in extending the life of your refrigerator, lowering your utility bills, and keeping food at safe temperatures.
Are you planning to move to another area? Real Property Management Cairn rentals are run professionally and have the features and amenities that you want. If the rental you’re staying in right now does not live up to your expectations, go ahead and check out our available property listings. We might have a property that caters to your desires. If you’re a property owner and want to try our management services, contact us online or call us at 434-215-3028 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
