Reminder: Clean your condenser coils

If you are covered by a TotalProtect® Home Warranty, you’re covered in the event of a broken appliance. However, that’s no reason to neglect maintenance best practices. In order to ensure that your refrigerator continues to keep your food cold throughout the summer season, you should remember to clean your condenser coils at least once every month.

The active element of a refrigerator is essentially a heat pump, just like a window A/C unit. It pumps heat out of the climate-controlled area where you store your food, and the condenser coil is where it lets out that heat. Unfortunately, this coil also attracts dust like cheese attracts mice.

The more dust that accumulates on this coil, the less effective it is at dispelling heat. This means that your refrigerator has to work harder, driving up your electricity bill. If too much dust accumulates, your refrigerator may not be able to keep your food cold anymore.

Typically, your condenser coil will be found underneath your refrigerator in the front or back. Unplug your refrigerator in order to avoid any risk of electric shock, and move it away from the wall. Using a stiff-bristled brush or a vacuum cleaner, remove any dust that has accumulated around the coil.

While you’re at it, you may wish to check that the seals around your refrigerator doors are still strong enough to hold cold air in, and that the temperature inside each cabinet corresponds to the setting. A few minutes of work every month will keep the repair man away.

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.