Higher energy bills: When your refrigerator coils are dirty, it requires more energy to maintain the desired temperature, leading to noticeable increases in your energy bills. Shorter appliance lifespan: Regular stress due to dirty condenser coils on your refrigerator can reduce its overall lifespan.
Dirty coils can make your fridge work harder to keep things cool, which means higher energy bills for you.
Refrigerator coils should typically be cleaned every six months to a year. However, if you have pets that shed or live in a particularly dusty environment, you may need to clean them more frequently--about every three to four months. Regular cleaning helps maintain efficiency and prolongs the life of your refrigerator.
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:
When the coils clog with dirt, lint and dust, they cannot effectively release heat. Then your compressor works harder, more often and longer, using more energy and shortening its life. And the refrigerator keeps colder when the condenser coil fins are clean to dissipate the heat, similar to a radiator of a car.
Dirt will make your AC less efficient, which means you'll have higher energy bills each month. Dirt buildup on your AC coils will make it difficult for the system to absorb and dump heat, causing the system to be less efficient. You may even start to feel like your AC is running constantly.
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.
If your refrigerator won't get cold but the freezer will, you may have a defrost system failure. The defrost system is responsible for melting frost and ice buildup on the evaporator coils. If the freezer is cold but refrigerator is not, it could be because the defrost system has failed.
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.
Preventative maintenance is also recommended quarterly, and costs an average of $100-120 per unit.
A few hours is normal for the refrigerator to cool down to its normal temperature inside. 4 days is too long. Check whether the temperature control knob has been disturbed in setting.
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.
A dirty evaporator coil cannot absorb warm air that flows over it. Instead, the cold refrigerant running through the coil causes it to freeze. If you see ice around the refrigerant line or puddles of water near the blower, turn off your AC. A frozen coil can cause the compressor to overheat and burn out.
If a fridge is dirty or food is left in the fridge too long, germs can multiply to dangerous levels and potentially make you ill. There have been many cases of dirty fridges causing serious illnesses such as Norovirus or Shigella.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
Clear blocked air vents: Inspect the air vents inside the fridge and freezer compartments to ensure they are not obstructed by food or containers. Proper air circulation is vital for even cooling. Check the door seals: Inspect the rubber gaskets (door seals) around the refrigerator and freezer doors for damage.
If your freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm, one of the first things you should check is the thermostat. It might be set to “off” by accident, or it could be turned down too low. To fix it: Set it to the correct setting and see if that fixes the problem. We'd recommend 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Reason: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate on the condenser coils, causing them to work less efficiently and reducing the cooling capability of your refrigerator. Fix: Clean the coils using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a coil brush to remove the built-up dirt.
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.
Reduced cooling efficiency: Dirty refrigerator coils struggle to dissipate heat, which can mean your refrigerator doesn't cool as effectively. This is one of the most common refrigerator dirty condenser coil symptoms.
How Long Does An AC Coil Last? The lifespan of your system's coils isn't set in stone, but factors such as the quality of the coils, the frequency of use and the level of maintenance they receive are all relevant. On average, evaporator coils can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years.