6 SIGNS YOUR REFRIGERATOR NEEDS SERVICE

Life without your refrigerator can be tough to imagine. After all, you rely on your refrigerator day-in and day-out to keep perishable foods fresh and safe from harm. Sadly, what's often one of the most important appliances in your home ends up being neglected.

Just like any other appliance in your home, your refrigerator needs occasional maintenance. Unfortunately, many people miss the warning signs of a refrigerator that's in dire need of some TLC. Ignoring the red flags listed below could result in your refrigerator needing replacement well before its time.

1. Rapid Food Spoilage

Something's rotten, but it's likely the state of the food in your fridge. A sudden inability to keep foods fresh is one of the first signs that your refrigerator needs expert service. You might notice certain foods that are particularly sensitive to spoilage, including milk and meats, spoiling sooner than expected. Canned drinks may take much longer to chill while other foods fail to cool down at all.

The culprit could involve any number of issues with your refrigerator. For instance, damaged door seals can cause warm air to infiltrate your refrigerator and cause performance issues. A slow refrigerant leak can also gradually rob your refrigerator of its ability to keep foods cool.

If your refrigerator has problems keeping its cool, have a professional take a closer look. Not only do you risk wasting more energy by ignoring the problem, but you'll also end up wasting a bunch of food.

2. Excess Frost and Ice Buildup

Another sign of trouble is when your freezer looks less like a freezer and more like the Arctic Circle. Seeing your frozen foods caked in a combination of frost and ice isn't normal, plus the ice itself can be dangerous to remove. Attacking the problem with an ice pick, for example, only invites damage to the unit.

Most modern refrigerators have an automatic defrosting feature to keep frost and ice buildup at bay. This feature can fail in some refrigerators, however, and in some cases, ice buildup can be severe enough to overcome your refrigerator's automatic precautions. You maybe need to unplug the refrigerator for a while so it can defrost properly.

Excessive frost and ice buildup is a problem you should have your service technician check out as soon as possible.

3. Excess Condensation

If your refrigerator sweats as much as you do on a hot day, you may have a condensation issue on your hands. Condensation occurs when moisture trapped in warm air condenses from a vapor to a liquid once the air is cool enough. Condensation is a natural part of the refrigeration process that helps keep your food fresh.

Your refrigerator normally deals with the small amount of condensate it produces by channeling it into a tray located underneath the fridge. Door seal failure can cause your refrigerator to sweat on the inside, resulting in water pooling at the bottom of the unit. Excess condensation on the outside of the refrigerator can also leave behind unsightly water puddles around the unit.

Water leaks can also occur if large amounts of condensate overwhelm the drip tray, causing it to overflow onto the floor. Even a small water spillage can cause a variety of serious hazards, including electrocution. You should have a service technician check these issues out as soon as possible.

4. Unusually Loud Noises

Your refrigerator isn't completely noiseless, but it's designed to operate quietly enough to escape notice. Excessive noise is another indicator that something's gone wrong with your refrigerator. If you can clearly hear your refrigerator buzzing or humming from across the kitchen, have the refrigerator checked out before other problems develop.

5. Excessive Energy Consumption

Refrigerators built within the last few decades were designed with energy efficiency in mind. If your refrigerator suddenly starts using more electricity than usual, it could be a sign of trouble. Worn-out or malfunctioning parts can cause a sudden spike in energy consumption for your fridge, resulting in an unpleasant surprise in your monthly utility bill.

If you're still hanging on to an older refrigerator, it’s probably an energy hog in need of replacement. Switching to an energy-efficient Energy Star-certified refrigerator can help reduce your monthly energy consumption by a significant amount.

6. Excessive Heat

Your refrigerator's compressor and coils generate plenty of heat under normal operation. This heat is usually limited to the rear of the refrigerator. However, if the sides or front of your fridge feels warm or hot to the touch, you may be dealing with an overheating issue.

If you think your refrigerator is overdue for service, the experts at Dick Kearsley Service Center will gladly check it out and recommend the right repairs. Contact us today to get an estimate so you can be confident that your refrigerator will be able to do its job.