Do freezer coils need to be cleaned?

Author: Kaylie Armstrong  |  Last update: Saturday, September 6, 2025

To keep your refrigerator and freezer humming, you should clean coils every six months to a year, more often if you have shedding pets. It's a short and easy task, and definitely one you shouldn't avoid.

What happens if you don't clean your refrigerator coils?

Condenser Coils

Because of this kind of build-up, your refrigerator has to work harder than it needs to, especially since these coils are magnets for dust and hair. So, if you don't clean them out once every three months (or once a month if you have pets), you'll run the risk of higher energy bills and a broken fridge.

How do I know if my refrigerator coil is dirty?

Symptoms of dirty condenser coils include: Warmer than normal temperatures in the freezer and refrigerator section Visable dust build up on condenser coils (behind refrigerator/panel A ruined compressor, clean your coils. It's easy...it's free. Symptoms of a clogged defrost drain line include:

Can dirty coils affect cooling in a freezer?

Dirty condenser coils can reduce your freezer's overall cooling capacity since dirty coils make the condenser retain heat rather than release it. This causes the compressor to overcompensate.

Why is my freezer cold but not freezing?

However, if your freezer is cold but not freezing, it may be time to inspect the thermostat. Try changing the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting. If you don't hear a click sound, then a professional replacement is recommended.

Put a Roll of Toilet paper in your Fridge and you will be surprised what happens

Is your freezer not working because of dirty condenser coils?

Dirty coils won't cool down refrigerant before it enters the evaporator, resulting in poor cooling performance. Clean the condenser coils if they're caked with lint and dust.

Do I need to unplug the fridge before cleaning coils?

Unplug the refrigerator: Safety first! Always unplug your refrigerator before starting any maintenance work. This will protect you from electric shock and prevent damage to the appliance. Locate the coils: Before you learn how to clean refrigerator coils, you'll need to find them.

How do I know if my evaporator coil is dirty?

Signs of a Dirty AC Coil
  1. Dirt on the coil. A thick layer of dirt, dust and other gunk on your evaporator coil is the most obvious sign of a filthy coil. ...
  2. Ineffective cooling. ...
  3. Longer operation of the air conditioner. ...
  4. Unusually high bills. ...
  5. Loss of air pressure. ...
  6. Frost on the coils.

What do condenser coils look like on a fridge freezer?

To find the condenser coils on your fridge, look at the base in front. They are typically behind a removable toe grill. Check the back of the unit if your refrigerator does not have a toe grill. The condenser coils are made up of metal tubes arranged in a U-shaped grid pattern.

Should you vacuum the back of your fridge?

Short Answer: Yes! You should clean the back of your refrigerator. Long answer: You should clean the back of your refrigerator AND underneath it, too at least once a year.

Why should freezer and refrigerator coils be vacuumed?

Improved Energy Efficiency: Over time, dust, dirt, and pet hair can accumulate on the refrigerator coils, creating a literal barrier that prevents efficient heat transfer. When these coils are dirty, your fridge has to work that much harder to maintain the desired temperature, leading to increased energy consumption.

Why do refrigerator coils freeze up?

Over time, your system's evaporator coil will become covered in dust, dirt, grime, and more. This prevents it from getting the airflow it needs to properly move heat, which means that the system could then freeze over.

Do all refrigerators have coils that need to be cleaned?

Yes, they do. That is, modern refrigerators are a box with an A/C that cools the air inside the box. The coils are outside the box to disperse the heat from compressing the gas, just like an A/C.

Why are the coils in my freezer not cold?

When they get covered in dust and debris, they can't function properly, causing your freezer to struggle to maintain cold temperatures. So, locate the condenser coils, usually at the back or underneath the freezer, unplug the machine, and use a vacuum or brush to remove the dust and debris.

How do you clean the inside of a freezer?

Make a solution of hot water and vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. A solution of water and soap can also work, but vinegar is food safe and has no soapy film. Spray the interior walls, floor and gaskets. Wipe with a sponge or microfiber cloth.

Can I clean my evaporator coil myself?

Once you get most of the loose dirt removed, you can use an AC cleaning solvent or a mixture of water and dish detergent to spray the coils off. You should be able to spray them down, let it sit, and then rinse the coils with water after a few minutes.

How much does it cost to clean evaporator coils?

The AC coil cleaning cost is around $100 to $400 as of 2024, according to Homeguide (for an evaporator coil), and up to $700 to remove and clean the coil. Cleaning the condenser coil costs $75 to $230. ¹ However, there are many ways paying these costs can save you money.

Can you use vinegar to clean evaporator coils?

Yes, vinegar mixed with water is often used to perform DIY cleaning on AC coils at home. However, vinegar is usually effective only against lighter dirt build-ups. Nevertheless, you can keep your coils in good shape by mixing white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spraying the mixture onto the coils.

Why is the freezer not freezing?

A freezer may not be cold enough due to user error, such as packing in too much food or not properly closing the door. However, sometimes parts to your freezer wear out over time and may affect your appliance's freezing capabilities. Some parts are simple to install as DIY fixes, but others need professional help.

Do you have to unplug a freezer to clean it?

Either switch off or unplug the fridge and freezer. This is especially important for the freezer, since cleaning it while it is running could damage the unit and turning it off will give it a chance to defrost.

Can dirty coils cause refrigerator to freeze?

Dirty Coils

If these coils are dirty or caked in dust, the fridge has to work harder to maintain the ideal temperature and, in the process, freeze its contents.

How often should you clean freezer coils?

In a normal home operating environment, routine condenser cleaning is not typically needed. However, if the environment is particularly greasy or dusty or there is significant pet traffic in the home, the condenser should be cleaned every 2 to 3 months to ensure maximum efficiency.

Why is my ice cream not freezing in my freezer but everything else is?

Well, ice cream is less dense than other frozen foods, so melted ice cream usually means your freezer either has a minor cooling issue or it is an indication that a freezer component is failing and needs to be repaired or replaced.

What temperature should a freezer be set at?

Freezer Temperatures

The temperature of a freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit so everything stays very cold. A freezer should be cold enough to keep food frozen and preserve it until they are ready to be cooked or reheated.

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