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Refrigerator Technical & Safety Tips

Refrigerators

Today’s high efficiency refrigerators will run a lot more than older units. People typically think that because the new unit is running 90% of the time that it is costing them more money to operate. New refrigerators use a modulating compressor. Even though the refrigerator is still running it is doing so at a much lower power level than at start up. The compressor speed is regulated according to internal temperatures, which is based on a number of factors, including the amount of times the door is opened, the room temperature, the amount of food stored inside, and control temperature settings, along with other factors. New refrigerators are less expensive to operate BUT they do not seem to last nearly as long! You can save as much as 75% from what a similar size box that is over 20 years old costs to operate!
  • If your refrigerator is not running or isn’t cold enough, turn the thermostat up to the next highest setting…
  • If it comes on, let it run for 24 hours and check temperatures to confirm it is working OK.
    1. Don’t stuff your refrigerator full of food. The internal air needs to circulate in and around the individual food items.
    2. Clear/remove anything blocking the air flow around the outside of the refrigerator (on top, underneath, behind, beside, in front of, etc.). Allow 3″ of clearance all the way around if possible. If not possible make sure the lower grate at the bottom of the refrigerator is kept clean and clear of debris.
    3. If there are condenser coils on the rear of the box, make sure the box is several inches from the wall and nothing is on the top at the rear, blocking the heat from coming off the coils.
    4. If the condenser coils are underneath the refrigerator, clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner thoroughly at least 2 times a year.
  • If the door is ticking or not closing properly, wipe off the face of the gasket with a wet rag and make sure the interior shelves, drawers and food are not preventing the door from closing from inside.

Tech Tip – Foul Odor

If you notice a stale or foul odor in your refrigerator, there are a number of different odor remover products available. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways you can try to get rid of those unwanted odors: For best results remove all the food from inside both the freezer and refrigerator sections. After thoroughly cleaning out the inside of the refrigerator and freezer sections, throwing away all questionable foods, with the refrigerator running you can crumple up newspapers and stick the wadded sections in the empty (but running) refrigerator for a 24 hour period. This really works! Another method is to sit an open container of baking soda in both sections, without any food in either compartment. I’ve also read after washing down interior walls with baking soda to then apply a light washing using vanilla. Another method is to place a small plate of activated charcoal in both the refrigerator and freezer sections. You can also try fresh coffee grounds.    If these methods don’t work, we sell a few different commercial products that are extremely effective! If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call Landers Appliance at (410) 682-3232 for fast dependable service.

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