5 Preventive Refrigerator Maintenance Tips

Minnesota summers are beautiful, but they bring a sharp rise in temperature and humidity that can put a massive strain on your household appliances. Your refrigerator is the hardest working appliance in your home, and when the summer heat rolls into Ham Lake, it has to work double-time to keep your food safely chilled.

A sudden refrigerator breakdown in July means spoiled groceries, warm drinks, and an emergency repair bill. Fortunately, a little preventive maintenance right now can save you money, boost your fridge’s efficiency, and extend its lifespan.

Here are 5 simple, expert-approved tips from Appliance Solutions to ensure your refrigerator is ready to handle the heat.

1. Clean the Condenser Coils

Your refrigerator’s condenser coils are responsible for releasing heat from inside the unit. Over time, these coils collect dust, pet hair, and cobwebs—especially in busy households.

When coils are coated in grime, they can’t dissipate heat efficiently. This forces your compressor to run constantly, spikes your energy bill, and drastically shortens the lifespan of your appliance.

How to do it: Pull your refrigerator away from the wall, unplug it, and locate the coils (usually behind a bottom front grille or on the back of the unit). Use a specialized coil brush or a vacuum cleaner hose attachment to gently remove the dust.
Frequency: Do this at least twice a year, or every few months if you have furry pets.

2. Inspect and Clean the Door Seals (Gaskets)

The rubber strip running along the edge of your refrigerator and freezer doors is called the gasket. Its job is to form an airtight seal, keeping warm room air out and cold air in.

If the gasket is cracked, torn, or sticky with food residue, cold air will constantly escape. Your fridge will struggle to stay at safe temperatures, which can lead to premature food spoilage.

The Dollar Bill Test: Close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill so half is sticking out. Pull gently. If it slides out easily without any resistance, your seal is weak and likely needs to be replaced.
Maintenance Tip: Wipe down the seals with warm, soapy water to remove sticky grime that can tear the rubber over time.

3. Clear the Vents and Maintain Proper Airflow

For your refrigerator and freezer to cool efficiently, air needs to circulate freely between the two compartments. Many homeowners accidentally block the internal air vents by stacking giant warehouse-club boxes or frozen pizza boxes right against them.

The Fix: Take a look inside your fridge and freezer. Locate the small plastic vents and ensure there is a few inches of clearance around them.
The Golden Rule of Organization: Keep your refrigerator about three-quarters full. An empty fridge wastes energy because there are no cold items to help maintain the ambient temperature, while an overstuffed fridge blocks vital airflow.

4. Verify Your Temperature Settings

As the ambient temperature in your home rises during the summer, it’s a good idea to verify that your refrigerator is actually holding the correct temperature.

The Safe Zones: * Your refrigerator should be set between $35^\circ\text{F}$ and $38^\circ\text{F}$ ($1.6^\circ\text{C}$ to $3.3^\circ\text{C}$). Anything above $40^\circ\text{F}$ enters the bacterial “danger zone.”
- Your freezer should be set exactly to $0^\circ\text{F}$ ( $-17.8^\circ\text{C}$ ).
Pro-Tip: If your fridge doesn’t have a digital temperature readout, buy a cheap appliance thermometer to hang on an interior shelf for accurate monitoring.

5. Replace Your Water and Ice Filters

Summer means drinking plenty of ice-cold water. If you haven’t changed your refrigerator’s water filter recently, a clogged filter can slow down your water dispenser and cause your ice maker to produce small, hollow, or foul-tasting cubes.

Why it matters: A clogged filter restricts water flow, forcing the internal water valves to work harder and potentially causing leaks.
How often: Replace your water filter every 6 months, or sooner if you notice a drop in water pressure.

Need a Hand? Appliance Solutions is Here to Help!

If you tackle these tips and notice your refrigerator is making strange noises, leaking, or struggling to stay cold, don’t wait for it to quit entirely mid-summer.

Stop by Appliance Solutions on MN-65 in Ham Lake. Our expert repair technicians can diagnose and fix your appliance issues fast. And if it’s time for an upgrade, we can help you find a reliable new, reconditioned, or scratch-and-dent model that fits your budget perfectly.

FAQ

Why does my refrigerator run constantly during the summer?

Your refrigerator runs more often in the summer because higher ambient room temperatures and humidity force it to work harder to maintain its internal temperature. However, if it never shuts off, it could indicate dirty condenser coils or a failing door seal.

How often should I clean my refrigerator’s condenser coils?

You should clean the condenser coils at least twice a year. If you live in a home with multiple pets or high dust levels, cleaning them every 3 to 4 months is recommended to maintain peak efficiency.

What should I do if my refrigerator stops cooling completely?

First, check that the unit is still plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Next, ensure the condenser coils aren’t completely blocked by dust. If those check out, contact a professional technician immediately to check the compressor or coolant levels.