4 Ways to Extend Your Refrigerator's Lifespan

The average lifespan of a brand new refrigerator is roughly 15 years, depending on the model, size, and upkeep. However, even the best refrigerators on the market won't live to see 10 if you don't give them a little bit of TLC every now and again.

Avoid a trip to the appliance store and extend the lifespan of your refrigerator by following these four simple tips:

• Vacuum your condenser coils. These coils are usually located on the back of your refrigerator and can accumulate a thick layer of dust over time. Clean these every six months with your vacuum to avoid putting extra wear-and-tear and your fridge.
• Maintain the gasket. The gasket is the rubber seal that runs around the perimeter of your refrigerator door, and keeps the warm air out. These gaskets are known to crack, which can cause your refrigerator to lose cold air. Periodically wipe the gasket clean with soap and water and apply a thin layer of Vaseline to keep it from drying out and cracking.
• Keep away from heat sources. Keeping your refrigerator away from sources of heat reduces the amount of work that the compressor must undergo in order to maintain a cold temperature. This includes heat-generating appliances such as your stove, but also avoid exposure to direct sunlight if possible.
• Avoid keeping the door open. Every time you open your refrigerator door, you lose a little bit of cold air. Keeping the door open for long periods of time will cause you to lose more than just a little warm air, and your refrigerator will have to work harder to cool down. When you are making a recipe which calls for multiple refrigerated items, take them all out in one trip and try to avoid staring into an open fridge looking for something to eat (hey, we all do it!).

If your refrigerator is on the fritz, replacing it isn't always necessary. Often times, you can get your refrigerator fixed for the fraction of the cost of buying a new model. If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, you can count on 24/7 Refrigerator Repair for speedy, dependable service. Our phone lines are open 24/7 and same-day appointments are available, so call 866-782-9376 today.

Refrigerator Facts vs. Myths

There is a lot of false information circulating around the World Wide Web; it's time to clear some things up, as far as home appliances go at least. Read the five refrigerator-related statements below and determine if each one is a fact or a myth – you may be surprised.

Fact or Myth? - Like a car, refrigerators need basic maintenance.

Fact. Like your car needs periodic oil changes and brake replacements, your refrigerator also needs a little bit of care to run efficiently. Some things you can do to extend the lifespan of your refrigerator include vacuuming the condenser coils and regularly inspecting the gasket. Learn more about good fridge maintenance here.

Fact or Myth? - Your refrigerator only runs for a few hours a day.

Myth. Your refrigerator runs around-the-clock. It is the only appliance in your home that works 24/7 to keep your food fresh and your beverages refreshing.

Fact or Myth? - It doesn't matter where in your refrigerator you store your food.

Myth. Some areas in your refrigerator (such as the door) are warmer than others, which can leave food susceptible to spoiling. To learn more about the best areas in your refrigerator to store certain foods, click here.

Fact or Myth? - Keeping your refrigerator full can help you use less energy.

Fact. Believe it or not, keeping your fridge well-stocked can help save you money on your monthly energy bill. A full fridge maintains its temperature better when the door is opened, so the compressor doesn't have to work as hard to cool the inside off. Don't overstock your fridge though, that could actually reduce air circulation and lead to warm spots.

Fact or Myth? - All repair services are created equal.

Myth. The same repair job done by two different companies can yield two very different results. When you are searching for an appliance repair service, you want a company that provides fast, dependable service.

24/7 Refrigerator Repair provides same-day repairs on any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler. If you need help fast, we also guarantee one-hour service to Long Island and New York City. See why people have depended on us for over 75 years, call 866-782-9376 today.

How to Defrost Your Refrigerator

If you don't have a self-defrosting refrigerator, you may notice a layer of ice accumulating in your freezer and on the back wall of your refrigerator. If left unattended, this build up will only grow and take up storage space, as well as increase your monthly energy bill.

It is an unpleasant task that most of us would rather not do, but it's better to take a few minutes out of your day every six months than to fork over money to the utility company and potentially the appliance repairman.

Here is how to defrost your refrigerator in 20 minutes or less:

1. Unplug the unit, open the refrigerator and freezer doors, and remove all items from the inside. You can place your food in a cooler if you wish, but it is not necessary since this will be a quick job.
2. Remove all shelves and drawers from the refrigerator. You can take advantage of this opportunity to wash them off in the sink if you'd like.
3. Place a towel at the foot of the refrigerator to minimize flooding/pooling of water.
4. Using a hair dryer, heat around the outside of the ice build up. The intention is to melt the edges just enough so you can remove it in one chunk instead of letting a stream of water run down your refrigerator.  
   BE CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH ANY WATER WHILE USING THE HAIR DRYER.
5. Use a plastic spatula to remove the ice build up.
6. Wipe your refrigerator dry, replace the shelves and food, close the doors, and plug your appliance back in. That's it!

If you are defrosting your refrigerator and discover any kind of leaking or loud, unusual noises, call 24/7 Refrigerator Repair at 866-782-9376. We have been servicing Long Island, New York City, and beyond for more than 75 years and offer same-day appointments in the comfort of your own home. Our phone lines are always open in case of emergency, so call 866-782-9376 at any time for a fast refrigerator repair.

Follow 24/7 Refrigerator Repairs on Social Media!

Whether you are a regular reader of the blog or this is your first time visiting, we are happy to announce that 24/7 Refrigerator Repairs is now live on social media!

Get exclusive access to company news, promotions, and tips on how to keep your kitchen cleaner, safer, and more energy efficient! We are active on multiple social media platforms, so follow us on your favorites!

Click the links below to be taken to our pages. You can also like us on Facebook via the widget on the right →

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24/7 Refrigerator Repair has provided the tri-state area with fast, dependable repairs for more than 75 years. Our highly-trained technicians keep their vans stocked with spare parts, allowing us to provide one-hour service to Long Island, New York City, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

We offer around-the-clock emergency service including nights, weekends, and holidays. Most of our repairs are completed same-day in the comfort of your own home, so give us a call at 866-782-9376.

Top 5 Articles of 2014

The refrigeration experts at 24/7 Refrigerator Repair dedicate their time to share their wealth of knowledge to anyone who is willing to read it in the form of our official blog. Since August, we have published more than 25 blogs for our visitors to read and share. Now that 2015 is upon us, let's take a look at our 5 most-viewed articles from last year. If any of these articles interest you, click the title to be taken straight to the webpage.

5. 4 Foods That Shouldn't Be Refrigerated

Every household has their own unique set of rules about which foods should be refrigerated and which foods should be stored in the pantry. Some foods – such as ketchup or grape jelly – can safely be stored warm or cold, but there are four specific foods that shouldn't be refrigerated under any circumstance. Learn what those foods are in this article.

4. How to Properly Clean & Maintain Your Refrigerator

Like a car, your refrigerator will run for longer with a regular maintenance schedule. And because they store items such as raw meats, dairy, and leftover food, refrigerators can quickly develop bacteria and unpleasant odors if left unattended. This article gives a full maintenance and cleaning routine with detailed instructions to help extend your refrigerator's lifespan.

3. Benefits of Counter-Depth Refrigerators

Due to their aesthetic appeal and upscale appearance, counter-depth refrigerators are growing in popularity across the country. They are more than just a pretty face, however and offer many benefits to their owners. If you are thinking about investing in a counter-depth refrigerator for your kitchen or would like to learn more about the style, give this article a read.

2. Tips When Shopping for a New Refrigerator

Since the average refrigerator lasts roughly 12 years, it is not too often that you find yourself in the appliance store looking for a new one. So many advancements and improvements have been made to refrigerators in the past ten years, that it can be difficult to determine which models are better than others. If you are currently shopping for a new refrigerator, read this short article to help you pick the one that is best for you and your kitchen.

1. Different Products We Service

Even though we are named 24/7 Refrigerator Repair, we service more than just refrigerators. Our licensed technicians are experts in the restoration of all makes and models of freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers too. If you live in New York City or Long Island and are in need of a refrigeration repair service, see if we can help you out.

24/7 Refrigerator Repair is a repair service located in New York. Our technicians are certified to repair any make and model of refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker and have over 70 years of experience. Our vans are fully stocked with tools and spare parts, which allows us to provide 1-hour service to Long Island and New York City. To schedule a visit at your earliest convenience, call us at 866-782-9376.

Ways to Save Energy on Your Second Refrigerator

  

Do you find yourself always running out of space in your refrigerator? Sometimes, the model in your kitchen simply isn't spacious enough to meet the needs of your family. It is not uncommon for houses to have a second refrigerator – maybe it is time for you to invest in one too. Before you pull the trigger on your purchase, first make sure it is necessary. In addition to several hundred dollars up front, a second refrigerator can cost up to $100 a year to operate. If you decide to buy one, use these tips to save yourself some money.

Buy an Energy Star model

First and foremost, buy a refrigerator which is Energy Star certified. The Energy Star label is given to the most energy efficient products by the EPA. You can find a list of their most efficient products here. These models may have a more expensive price tag, but they will save you money in the long run by consuming less energy than non-certified models.

Keep it out of the garage

Many families like to keep their second refrigerator in the garage because of the extra space, but that is one of the worst places you can put it. An unconditioned garage presents a few problems. Firstly, the temperature gets very high during the summer, which in turn makes the refrigerator work harder than normal, which leads to a higher energy bill. Even worse, if your garage gets too hot or too cold, it can affect the refrigerator's internal thermostat and your food can warm to unsafe temperatures, causing you to throw away or unknowingly eat your spoiled food.

Don't buy more than you need

Before taking a trip to the local appliance store, think about how much space you will need in your second refrigerator. More space may be luxurious, but it also requires more energy to cool. Buying a bigger fridge than needed also hinders your refrigerators cooling performance. Failing to consistently keep your refrigerator at least halfway full will result in the loss of much more cold air when the door is opened. These fluctuations can lead to prematurely spoiled food and, once again, a higher electric bill.

When shopping for a second refrigerator, it is important to make smart decisions. It is also important to make smart decisions when looking for a refrigerator repair service – that is why you should choose 24/7 Refrigerator Repair. Proudly serving Nassau County and Queens for over 50 years, we offer service around the clock – that includes nights, weekends, and holidays. Call 866-782-9376 or visit our website for more information. You can also like us on Facebook for more refrigeration tips and advice.

3 Signs That You Need to Get Your Refrigerator Fixed

You may not realize this, but the common household refrigerator is actually a complex machine that has a lot of individual parts all working together to keep your food cold. If just one of these parts malfunctions, it could cause your whole refrigerator to stop working. Combine that with the fact that the fridge is the only household appliance to work 24 hours a day, and it is easy to see how breakdowns can occur. Luckily for you, 24/7 Refrigerator Repair has put together this list of common signs that you should get your fridge fixed so that you can address these problems before it is too late.

The Motor Doesn't Turn Off

It is normal for your refrigerator's compressor to cycle on and off throughout the day. It is not normal for the compressor to run all day, every day. If you feel like your refrigerator has not stopped running in a while, it may be in your best interest to get it checked out. Keep in mind that if you have recently adjusted the temperature settings, it is not uncommon for a refrigerator to run for up to 24 hours straight. However, if it has been going for days, there is most likely a problem – usually either with the thermostat or compressor. In either case, call a local appliance repair service, such as 24/7 Refrigerator Repair, to have a professional take a look.

Spoiled Food

All food will eventually spoil, regardless of how well your refrigerator is working. But when a lot of your food starts spoiling prematurely, this is a red flag. Food expiring well before it should is a sign that your fridge is not maintaining the temperature that it should be. There is no one problem that specifically causes this to happen – it could be an issue with the sealing system, coolant, compressor, or a number of other things. In order to correctly diagnose the problem and see if your refrigerator can be fixed, contact a local refrigerator handyman service.

Leakage

If you notice puddles of liquid forming either in the refrigerator or under it, there is a problem. This can range from faulty seals, which can be easily replaced for cheap, to a break in the tube channel, which is much more serious. If your fridge is causing liquids to pool, contact a professional immediately.

At 24/7 Refrigerate Repair, our technicians are familiar with all of these problems and the best ways to fix them. With over 60 years of experience, there is no better refrigerator repair service in all of Long Island or Queens. You can visit our website or like our Facebook page for more information. 

Source: eHow

8 Tips & Tricks to keep your refrigerator as organized as possible

Space in your refrigerator can be prime time real estate. It seems like we are always reorganizing food in order to get those last few items to squeeze in. Using these eight simple tips, you will not only have the most organized fridge of your life, but you will be able to fit more in it than you ever knew was possible!

Use a lazy susan to make sure that you never forget about food in the back of the fridge again.

(Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Take this idea a step further with a lazy susan designed specifically for leftovers.

(Photo courtesy of Amazon)

Have loose beer bottles rolling around the fridge? A simple binder clip can solve that.

 (Photo courtesy of Check Me Daily)

Use the six pack containers that those bottles came from to organize your door.

 (Photo courtesy of Reddit user Neut12)

Turning magazine racks on their side gives you extra shelves in your freezer!

(Photo courtesy of Aunt Peaches)

Invest in an egg holder. It offers more protection than that flimsy foam you buy the eggs in and allows you to stack things on top of it. 

 (Photo courtesy of Space Savers)

Another alternative to keep your delicate items, such as eggs or bread, safe is to buy a shelf riser. This also maximizes your storage space.

(Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Buy a wine rack to stack 2 liter bottles on their side without having to worry about them rolling around.

(Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart)

At 24/7 Refrigerator Service, we are always looking for ways to help our customers with their refrigerator-related problems. For over 60 years, we have been the tri-state area's leading repair service for your kitchen's most used appliance. This is because we keep 99% of our inventory in our “warehouse on wheels” so that we can be at your door within an hour of calling us. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more tips around the kitchen!