Most people have a fridge freezer in their kitchen. This great, hassle-free kitchen addition is a modern convenience that most of us could not imagine being without. Many of us buy fridge freezers and never think about ways to maintain them, but there are several things you can do to prolong the life of this useful appliance and make sure you enjoy its benefits for many years to come.
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Pick the Right Location
Placing your appliance in the wrong part of the kitchen will greatly reduce its efficiency. Most of us know not to place it by the oven, but siting it directly next to a dishwasher or washing machine will also cause the sides of your fridge freezer to become too warm. Try to locate it with space on each side to allow air to circulate. Another source of heat is the sun. Streaming through a window, sunshine can heat the exterior of kitchen appliances and reduce cooling efficiency, so make sure you place them in a spot away from direct sunlight.
Keep the Back Clean
When you vacuum your kitchen floors, make sure to brush and vacuum underneath and at the back of fridge freezers. Dust and dirt that builds up over the condenser coils can cause problems and reduce efficient running.
Check the Seals
If the seals around the doors are not working properly, cold air will escape. An easy way to check the seals is to take a piece of paper and shut the door. It should be held tightly in place; if the paper slips, you probably need to have the seal replaced. A new seal will make a big difference to the running efficiency of the machine.
Keep Your Freezer Full
Freezers operate best when they are at least 75 per cent full. If you leave big gaps, the appliance has to work harder to cool the empty spaces. If you don’t want to keep it full of food, freeze bags of ice to fill the gaps.
Just a few minutes spent following these easy tips will save you money, both on repairs and on energy bills. It will also save you time and prevent waste, so don’t take your fridge freezer for granted; give it a little attention to make sure it continues to run smoothly.
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