Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.
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Cleaning Condensor Coils
The condensor coils can either be on the back of your refrigerator or down at the bottom in front of the compressor. If they are on the back you don't have to worry about cleaning them. Most likely yours are on the bottom and they are filthy dirty, especially if you have house pets. If you want to do your refrigerator and your light bill a big favor, you will clean them. Remove the lower grill or "toe plate" and shine a flashlight under your refrigerator to check out your coils.
A vacuum cleaner with a hose and a crevass tool are essential for this job. Another useful, but optional, tool is a long narrow brush that looks like this:
If you don't want the condensor fan to blow dirt in your face, turn the refrigerator off. Work the crevass tool back and forth across the coils and get as much of the dirt and hair off as possible. Be carefull not to shove paper, insulation or other junk back into the condensor fan. I have made several service calls to remove stuff from condensor fan blades that got there while cleaning the coils. If you have time it's a good idea to roll the refrigerator out, remove the rear panel and clean the condensor fan blades. The dirt built up on the blade's leading edge reduces the fan's efficiency.
Put everything back together and roll the refrigerator back into it's slot. DON'T FORGET TO TURN IT BACK ON! If you do, you will be blamed for melting all the ice cream.
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