Weekend Project: Clean and Clear that Fridge!
By Chris Baskind in Home & Garden
Warmer weather puts more stress on your refrigerator. Since it’s one of your home’s biggest energy centers, it pays to take care of business and make sure it’s operating as efficiently as possible.
Start by cleaning the cooling coils on the back of the fridge. This should be done a couple times a year.
Most modern freezers are frostless. But if you have an older model, clear things out and defrost if there’s more than a quarter inch of ice buildup. Generally speaking, a full freezer is easiest to keep cold. But that’s not the case in the fresh section. Allow enough room for air circulation.
Check the temperature settings. ENERGY STAR recommends 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge, and 0 degrees for the freezer. It might be helpful to spot-check both with a thermometer.
An hour of work could really help cool-off your power bill this summer. Want to know more? Check out Ten Easy Ways to Run Your Refrigerator Cheaper.
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