Potential Refrigerator Lifespan

As you can see, the potential refrigerator lifespan is quite wide. The longer you make yours last, the longer you can put off paying to replace it. To help your appliance rank toward the high end of its life expectancy, follow these fridge maintenance tips.

Clean the Door Seals

A loose or torn gasket (or one caked with gunk) doesn’t seal tightly. This wastes energy and causes the fridge to work harder, shortening its lifespan.

Make it a habit to clean the gasket with warm water twice a year to remove any residue. Then check the seal for tears and replace it if you find any. Also, try closing the door on a dollar bill. If it slides around easily or falls out, the door isn’t sealing properly and you need to replace the gasket.

Give it Room to Breathe

Refrigerators function best when they have airflow on all sides. The exceptions to this include zero-clearance and front-vented refrigerators. Unless your fridge is labeled as such, don’t set large, heavy objects directly on top of the fridge, and make sure adjacent counters and cabinets leave one inch of clearance. Proper air circulation can prevent unnecessary breakdowns.