During the Warmest Months, Follow Five Basic Tips from
Maintenance Tips:
One important tidbit before you get started on the to-do list is to set your refrigerator temperature between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer compartment between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you set the temperature too low, it could cost you more to operate and add undue stress to the cooling system.
These are the top five trouble-free chores and all you need is a rag, warm water in a bucket and soap.
Clean the condenser coils once a year with a vacuum cleaner or a dust 1. rag. The condenser coils are on the back or bottom of the refrigerator behind a protective plate. Unplug the refrigerator and roll it out for easy access to the refrigerator cabinet. 2. Clean the defrost pan, usually located atop or beside the compressor. 3. Clean all the door gaskets with warm, soapy water to ensure a tight seal between the cabinet and doors. 4. Remove any clutter and items you store atop the refrigerator. They restrict the natural flow of air needed for proper operation. 5. Change your water filter every 6 months.
For those who need more than one refrigerator or freezer to store all of their food, it is best not to keep the second appliance in the garage. Your refrigerator will work extra hard (while raising your energy bill) to keep cool in the hot garage.
Replacement Tips:
If you haven't kept up with your updates and your refrigerator has quit working, you are probably looking for a new one to arrive quickly. In addition, if you have a refrigerator purchased in the 1990s, it can cost as much as 50 percent more to operate than current models available with ENERGY STAR(R) ratings.
The newest refrigerator models are more energy efficient and offer a wide selection of features to fit your storage capacity, buying frequency, and lifestyle needs. Each model offers its own benefits, but a few thoughts to keep in mind:
-- Top-mount refrigerators are still popular because of their ergonomic design, basic functionality and energy efficiency. And for anyone on a tight budget but still looking for energy savings, a Frigidaire 18 Cubic Foot top mount is a great value at less than$500 . -- Side-by-Sides offer food storage flexibility with multiple interior shelving and door bin capacity - great for those buying in bulk. New atLowe's is the exclusive Whirlpool Gold refrigerator, which offers technology to stop liquid from spilling over the edge of the shelves, 25 percent more shelf space and a new, in-door ice system that enables easy removal of the ice bucket. -- Bottom mounts provide convenience, allowing easy access to the fresh food compartment because it is on top of the frozen food compartment, which isn't opened as often. -- French door models offer the largest fresh food capacity with two opposing fresh food compact doors that can be opened simultaneously, accommodating even the largest entertaining platters. The bottom freezer is accessed by the use of a full extension drawer, putting frozen food within easy reach. TrySamsung's new FlexZone drawer, an adjustable temperature drawer capable of temperatures between 29 and 42 degrees.
When shopping for and researching the appliance that is right for you
and your family, visit www.lowes.com/appliances.
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Source:Lowe's Companies , Inc.