Living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle begins with a more sustainable home. In our day-to-day lives, many of us try to make decisions for our environment's greater good. These decisions often include recycling, buying products with less packaging, and being mindful about our energy and water consumption. Proper care and maintenance of the things we use can extend their life and further decrease our environmental impact.
A functioning refrigerator is often taken for granted. When it doesn't work, it's an expensive fix, or even worse, a costly replacement—and a lot of wasted materials going to a landfill. But did you know there are things you could be doing to improve their function and help them last longer?
Getting to know your refrigerator through regular maintenance will help you proactively make repairs far before it breaks down, saving time and money in the long run. Through regular care, you can identify and fix energy leaks, avoid surprise repairs, and extend your refrigerator's life as much as 20 years!
Keeping your refrigerator running in tip-top shape doesn't require much. Scheduling in just 30 minutes of refrigerator maintenance once every other month will keep your food fresher and safer.
trusted by
10,000+ families
shop only the
good stuff
By Laura Bourland, Rise Writer
Apr 13, 2025 · 7 min read
You're probably already cleaning your refrigerator regularly to keep it odor-free, but here's a quick rundown to keep you focused:
Your refrigerator has a drip pan located at the bottom of the unit to collect condensation and ice melt. Cleaning it every 2-3 months will prevent bacteria from build- up. Similarly, the gaskets, or the seals around the door edges, need to be cleaned and checked every 2-3 months. This regular maintenance will ensure a tight seal that will control the internal temperature and avoid any energy leakage. Pair these two tasks for quick and easy refrigerator maintenance.
Investing about 30 extra minutes twice per year in a little additional refrigerator maintenance will keep your family healthier and your refrigerator running more effectively for longer.
Your refrigerator has two sets of coils: condenser coils located on the unit's exterior and evaporator coils situated in the interior. The condenser coils work to expel heat from the refrigerator, while the evaporator coils absorb heat from the inside. Keeping both sets clean will prevent your refrigerator from overworking and consuming more energy than needed. Clean coils also keep the fridge running more quietly and will help you avoid premature compressor failure.
You should clean your refrigerator coils 1-2 times each year, or every three months if you live with pets since pet hair tends to collect quickly.
Suppose you have a refrigerator with a built-in icemaker or water dispenser. In that case, you must regularly replace that filter to avoid build-up and keep your water and ice clean. Consult your user manual for recommendations on how often to replace the filter and instructions for ordering replacements.
It may seem unnecessary, but ensuring your refrigerator is resting on a level surface every six months is very important. Your flooring may sink or tilt with your home if your foundation is weak or the earth beneath your home shifts. The flooring may also warp or see damage from the weight of the refrigerator, moisture, or leaks. Surprisingly, an uneven surface can dramatically impact your door gasket's tight seal and the refrigerator's overall function.
How to check and adjust your refrigerator:
Recommended by Rise
Shop quality refrigerators that save energy with high-efficiency cooling and energy-saving mode.
By regularly cleaning and checking your refrigerator, you're more likely to notice problems before they become a real issue. Below are just a few common problems and easy fixes to get it running efficiently again.
It happens. Sometimes your refrigerator doesn't feel as cold as it should. Before going any further, check the temperature gauge to ensure it's set to the proper temperature and the refrigerator is moderately full. If both check out and the fridge is still warm, check the following parts.
If any part in your refrigerator's defrost system is broken or in need of repair, your evaporator fan will be working overtime. You might notice the fan running loud. To repair it, unplug the refrigerator and try to turn the fan blade manually. If it doesn't move easily, it may be time to replace the fan.
A warm refrigerator could result from an air damper control that is either blocked or has stopped working. Locate the damper using your instruction manual and observe it in action. If it's not opening and closing to allow cold air in, it may be time for a replacement part.
Leaky door seals are a surefire way to warm a refrigerator. Regularly check your door gaskets using the dollar bill test mentioned above and replace them if they fail the test or appear cracked or warped.
Water leaks are pretty obvious but may be detected before they become an issue when cleaning the coils. Promptly finding these leaks is imperative to prevent damage to your floor and a much bigger repair bill. Below are a few quick repairs you might try if you find a water leak.
Your freezer regularly defrosts itself to drain built-up ice. Still, that drain can easily get clogged with food, debris, or even freeze up, causing drained water to leak out rather than draining correctly. To fix this:
The drain pan (mentioned above) collects water but will leak if cracked. You'll notice this when cleaning the drain pan or if your refrigerator is leaking from the bottom or behind the unit. If broken, replace the drain pan immediately.
The water inlet valve—the connector that transfers water into the refrigerator— may cause a water leak if it's cracked or loose. Locate the valve and ensure it's secure. If there is damage, replace it immediately.
Your refrigerator needs to work all the time, and it was probably one of the more expensive appliances in your home. Making it run more smoothly and last longer will save you money on energy bills, repair costs, and a more considerable replacement expense—all critical parts of a more sustainable home.
Rise Writer
Expert. Practical. Sustainable.
Article by
Laura grew up in the California suburbs, far removed from environmentalism, but nature always has a way. She uprooted her life in 2015, moving to the countryside of Washington to live a more sustainable and simple life on 12 acres. She and her fiancee are learning on the job as they attempt everything from gardening and natural pest control to eco-friendly building and home improvement.
Expertly Curated
We find and feature the best products for a healthier, more sustainable home.
Trusted by Thousands
Helping 10,000+ families build better homes.
A More Sustainable Tomorrow
People. Planet. Better living.
