Many people refer to their refrigerator as the “ice box”, which implies that it is a simple appliance. On the contrary, it is a sophisticated machine that requires many components to simultaneously work together in order to keep your food cold. Here are some of the main parts of your refrigerator and what you can do to care for them.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator. As the liquid refrigerant passes into the compressor, it becomes highly pressurized, raising its temperature and converting it to a gas. The gaseous refrigerant then enters the condenser coils for the next stage of refrigeration.

Tip: Decrease wear-and-tear on the compressor by opening your refrigerator door less, and keeping it open for as little time as possible.

Thermostat

Nearly every refrigerator has some type of thermostat – a device which allows you to regulate the temperature. High-end refrigerators allow you to set your preference to an exact degree, while economical models typically have a knob that ranges from “cold” to “coldest.”

Tip: For optimal food storage conditions, your refrigerator should be between 34-38° F.

Condenser Coils

The condenser coils are located on the back of most refrigerators (although some models have them underneath the unit). As the refrigerant flows through these long, windy tubes, it releases the heat it absorbs in the compressor.

Tip: Over time, these coils accumulate dust, which hinders their ability to release heat. Clean them every six months using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Gasket

The gasket is the rubber seal that runs along your refrigerator and freezer doors. As you can probably guess, it is responsible for creating an air-tight barrier, helping to keep the cold air in your refrigerator when the door is shut.

Tip: Any small rip or tear in your gasket can really hurt your refrigerator’s energy-efficiency. Coat it in a thin layer of Vaseline every two months to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

If you are experiencing problems with these, or any other components in your refrigerator, call the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We offer around-the-clock emergency service and guarantee one-hour service to New York City and Long Island. Call 866-782-9376 today.