Common Myths About Refrigerator Maintenance

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Just like with any appliance, taking proper care of your refrigerator will help it last longer. Additionally, a good maintenance routine can also help you save money by lowering your unit’s energy consumption. If you want to keep your refrigerator running efficiently for a long time, make sure not to fall trap to these common myths.

An annual cleaning is sufficient for your refrigerator.

Most people only take the time to clean their refrigerators once or twice per year, thinking that it is enough. The truth is, you should clean out your fridge on a monthly basis. This helps you stay up to date on throwing away expired foods, which your refrigerator is (unnecessarily) using energy to keep cold.

You only need to clean the inside of the fridge.

When most people think of maintaining their refrigerator, they are thinking about the bacteria and cleanliness of the inside. The truth is, the most important maintenance you can do is actually located on the appliance’s exterior. Clean the condenser coils, located on the back of the unit, every six months using your vacuum’s brush attachment.

Keeping a second refrigerator in the garage is a good idea.

Many homes across the country utilize a second refrigerator for storing beer or extra food. While this isn’t a problem, keeping it in an unfinished area is. If your second refrigerator is in an unconditioned garage or basement, it could be working twice as hard to keep cool during the hot summer months. If it is an old, inefficient refrigerator, you are doubling-down on increased energy consumption and wear-and-tear.

The water filter doesn’t need to be changed.

This myth doesn’t pertain to the health of your refrigerator, but rather to your personal health and hygiene. If your refrigerator has a built-in water dispenser, you should replace the filter at least twice per year to keep your water clean and clear of contaminants. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this.

Bad maintenance habits almost always lead to breakdowns. If this happens to your refrigerator, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can get you up-and-running in a matter of hours. We guarantee one-hour service to Long Island and New York City, and complete most repairs within the comfort of your own home. Call us anytime to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

5 Signs Your Refrigerator Needs To Be Repaired

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Experts estimate a brand new refrigerator will last anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on the make, model, and your own personal maintenance routine. If your refrigerator is on the fritz, the signs might not always be clear. Here are five ways to tell if your refrigerator is in need of a repair.

It’s leaving puddles all over your kitchen floor.

Is your refrigerator turning your kitchen floor into a swimming pool? This is perhaps the most obvious sign that it needs to be fixed. Leaky refrigerators can be caused by a faulty seal, damaged water supply valve, or a clogged defrost drain.

You notice a spike in your electricity bill.

Have you noticed that your monthly energy bill keeps climbing, but your consumption habits have remained the same? This could be caused by a broken refrigerator that is working harder than it should to keep cold. The average refrigerator is responsible for about 8% of a household’s energy consumption, but that number could skyrocket if it is malfunctioning.

It’s causing you headaches – literally.

Does it seem like your fridge keeps on getting louder and louder? This might not be your imagination, it may actually be a cry for help. Contact a local appliance repair service if your refrigerator is making loud, clunking noises or constantly cycling on and off.

Your food is constantly spoiling prematurely.

Do you find your food constantly going bad before its expiration date, regardless of what it is or where you buy it from? This could be because the inside of your refrigerator is too warm. Try turning down the thermostat, and if that doesn’t work, have it looked at by a licensed professional.

It’s hot to the touch.

Contrary to popular belief, refrigerators don’t actually “cool down” their interior. Instead, heat is removed from the air. Because of this, it is normal for the appliance to feel a little warm when it is running. But if your fridge is uncomfortably hot to the touch, it’s a sure sign that something is wrong.

Is your refrigerator showing any of these signs? If you live in New York City or on Long Island, contact the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We have provided professional refrigerator repairs to the tri-state area for more than 75 years, and can fix any make or model. Our phone lines are always open, so call us anytime at (866) 782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment.

Simple Fixes for Common Refrigerator Problems

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To the average person, a normal refrigerator looks like a giant box of ice. But for the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service, we know it is a complex machine. Many components are required to seamlessly work together in a refrigerator, and if just one of them malfunctions, the whole appliance could stop working.

Here are some most common problems that you might experience with your refrigerator, and what you can do to fix them.

Pooling Water

If water is collecting at the bottom of your refrigerator or underneath it, there are two likely causes: either you have a clogged drain tube, or your refrigerator isn’t level. The latter can be easily fixed by simply adjusting the legs on the bottom of your appliance. A clogged drain tube can be cured with nothing more than a hair dryer and pipe cleaner. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

Frost Build Up

If your refrigerator doesn’t have an “auto-defrost” feature, you might notice that your freezer compartment is slowly being overtaken by frost. This not only takes away your precious storage space, it can also decrease energy efficiency. Defrost your refrigerator manually by unplugging it and leaving the door open for several hours until the ice melts. You can speed up this process with a hair dryer.

Weak Door Seal

The rubber door seal (also known as the gasket) is usually one of the first components that needs to be replaced. Closely inspect your gasket for rips, cracks, and other signs of excessive wear and tear. A high electricity bill may also be a sign that your gasket has lost its seal strength. Luckily, a new gasket is inexpensive and only takes ten minutes to swap out.

Loud Noises

Is your refrigerator clunking, constantly cycling on and off, or just being excessively loud? A noisy refrigerator is one of the hardest problems to fix yourself because there could be a variety of possible reasons for it. If your refrigerator is giving you headaches (literally), it is best to call a professional repair service.

Are you looking for a refrigerator repair service in the New York City area? Speedy Refrigerator Service guarantees one-hour service to all of the five boroughs, plus Long Island. Our technicians are fully licensed and trained to fix any make or model of refrigerator. Call us anytime to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

How to Store a Refrigerator When It’s Not in Use

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Whether you purchased one yourself or it was gifted to you, the holiday season may have provided you with a new refrigerator. If you don’t keep enough food around the house to justify running two fridges at the same time, you might be tempted to recycle your old appliance. However, if it still runs without a problem, there is no sense in throwing something out just because you get a new one.

That extra refrigerator could come in handy one day if your family grows, you need some extra money, or your new refrigerator decides to break down. Your best bet is to store your old refrigerator now in case you need it in the future. Because refrigerators are built to retain moisture, storing them for long periods of time leaves them susceptible to developing mold and unpleasant odors. If you are planning on keeping yours in long-term storage, here is how to prevent these problems so you can store your food in it once again.

The key to preserving your refrigerator for future use is a good cleaning before sending it to storage. If your fridge has a built-in ice maker or water dispenser, the first step is shutting off the water supply. There is usually a valve in the supply line that can be cut off by turning a small knob. After this is done, allow 24 hours for the ice maker to use up the last of remaining water. Remove all the ice cubes, turn the ice maker into the “off” position, drain the water reservoir, and remove the filter cartridge.

Next, unplug your appliance and discard all food items. Wait several hours for the interior to defrost (if necessary) and completely dry it. Now, wipe down the interior with a mixture of warm water and a mild dish detergent. Be sure to thoroughly clean the shelves, drawers, back wall, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Dry the appliance again using a clean towel and leave the doors open for several hours, allowing excess moisture to completely evaporate. When you are ready to store your refrigerator, make sure to transport and store it in an upright position. Tilting it on its side could cause the oil or liquid refrigerant to leak out and damage the compressor. Your refrigerator should be stored in a secure, dry location to prevent pests, mold, and odors from damaging your appliance.

If you notice anything wrong with your refrigerator, contact the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. For 75 years, Long Island residents have depended on us to fix their refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers. We guarantee one-hour service to Nassau and Suffolk Counties, give us a call any time at 866-782-9376.

How to Prep Your Kitchen for the Holidays

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The holidays are supposed to be a time to unwind with your loved ones, but if you are in charge of hosting the family get-together, it can be anything but relaxing. Use these tips to prep your kitchen for your guests and take some of the stress out of the holidays.

Clean and tidy up.

This is the number one item on most of our to-do lists. Even if your house isn’t perfectly clean all of the time, you at least want your guests to believe it is. In addition to the common areas (living room, dining room, bathroom), you will want to pay extra attention to your kitchen. Don’t forget to clean out the inside of your refrigerator, wash all of your dishes, and wipe down your counter tops.

Take an inventory of your food.

Picture this: it’s the big day. Your family is over your house, stomachs rumbling with hunger. You’re preparing your main course, and suddenly you realize that you are missing a key ingredient. Don’t let this happen to you, take a thorough inventory of all of your food now. Plan your menu, double- and triple-check the recipes, and make sure you have everything you need.

Invest in a cooler.

When you are busy cooking in the kitchen, you don’t want your guests funneling in and out to get drinks from the refrigerator. Avoid this problem by keeping a well-stocked cooler in your living room, this will help keep your kitchen clear of traffic so you can focus on your food.

Pre-set your table.

After you have finished cooking, the last thing you want to worry about is setting the table. Luckily, this can be done well in advanced before your guests even arrive. Help lessen the burden on yourself by setting the table one or two days before your party.

If your refrigerator breaks down this holiday season, the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service will get you up-and-running in no time! We guarantee one-hour service to Long Island and New York City, even on nights, weekends, and holidays. Give us a call anytime at 866-782-9376.