The refrigerator is the workhouse of our kitchens. It stores all of the foods and keeps them fresh. However, when there are specific problems with the fridge, not only the foods stored inside will get ruined, but you will also be looking to spend a fair amount of money on repairing them.
But did you know that you can avoid the refrigerator repair cost? Yes, it is certainly possible. All you need to do is keep some of the tips in your mind. Those will ensure that your freezer is running smoothly and prevent it from facing problems in the long run.
Wondering what tips are we actually talking about? Well, you need to read the whole article to know them all!
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Refrigerator
Before we get into the tips, let us give you a rundown of the costs. The average refrigerator repair cost can be from $200 to $300. This price estimation will rely on the model of the fridge and the severity of the damage.
However, if the main parts are severely damaged and require replacements, you would need to consider the refrigerator sealed system repair cost. And that can range in the thousands.
The sealed system is basically the cooling system. It includes a compressor, pumps, and condenser. And these parts do not come cheap. Usually, the costs related to them are from $800 to $1200.
Five Maintenance Tips That Ensures Long Lifespan Of The Fridge
Would you believe us if we told you that by spending just 30 minutes, you could keep your fridge running in tip-top condition? Yes, this 30 minutes can prevent refrigerator repair costs. So, without further ado, let us go through the steps, shall we?
Step 1: Clean The Condenser Coils
First, you would need to unsnap the grille from the bottom of the fridge. It will offer you access to the coils. However, some of the fridges might be located on the back. For those models, you might need to roll the refrigerator out and get them.
While accessing the coils, you will find a lot of debris, dust, and hairs stuck on them. Get yourself a vacuum cleaner or a stiff brush to clear all of the debris and dust. You can even get yourself a special coil-cleaning tool for the job. Those will bend and get into the tight areas, which will ensure a complete clean.
This will take about 5 minutes. Do this two times a year if you do not have any pets around. If you do have pets, do it every three months.
Step 2: Work On The Condenser Fan
Now that you have cleaned the coils, you will need to clean the fan and its surrounding area. This fan will circulate the air across the coil, which will keep the coils cool. So, if the fan is clogged, it will not be able to properly cool down the coils.
Take a stiff brush and clean the blades of the fan. You might even find pieces of paper, hair, and other small debris on the fan. Make sure that remove them properly. This step should take about 5 minutes. And you need to carry this step out at least twice a year.
While you are under there, clean the drip pan. The drip pan is a flat pan that collects all the dropping water during the defrost cycle.And sometimes, those droplets can collect dust and debris during the evaporation period. Wipe the pan using a soft cloth and move along to the next step.
Step 3: Wipe and Lubricate The Door Gasket
The gasket ensures a proper seal. And door gasket repairs are pretty expensive. Sometimes, it can cost around $200 for a replacement. However, if you keep it clean, you can avoid this cost too! It only takes two minutes.
Wipe it using a soft sponge. If there is any stubborn residue, you might want to use a soft cloth to scrub the residue out. After it is squeaky clean, you would need to lubricate the gasket. Use baby powder for that.Carry out this step once a month.
Step 4: Clean The Vents
There are little vents inside the fridge. Depending on the model you have, you might find multiple of them inside. These vents allow the air to circulate through the inside. However, foods might get stuck on these vents. And when they get obstructed, the air will not be able to circulate properly.
Get yourself a soft brush and clean the vents. But while you are cleaning the vents, make sure that the fridge is turned off. Also, we would recommend clearing the food packages away from the vents. Keep the vents obstructed to let the airflow through the inside properly.
That being said, this step will take at most 5 minutes. And we would suggest carrying this step out at least once every four months.
Step 5: Keep The Temperature Knob At The Middle
Though this step will not necessarily prevent a repair, it will surely extend the fridge’s lifespan. Most of the fridges will have at least two temperature controllers. One will be on the top, while the other one is at the bottom. To reduce the load and power draw, you would need to keep them in the middle.
The middle point is more than good enough to keep the inside cool and keep the foods fresh. And when the temperature knob is in the middle, the compressor and the fans will not work that hard in terms of keeping the inside cool. Basically, they will face less load, which will eventually extend their lifespan.
This step is something that you would need to do once. And it will take at most 1 minute.
Final Words
It can certainly cost quite a chunk of money to repair a fridge. But now that you know the things you can do to avoid the refrigerator repair cost, you will not have to worry too much about it. Just carry out the steps properly and at the right time, and your fridge should last for a long amount of time.
