The refrigerator is one of those household appliances that we take for granted – until it starts behaving like an irritated teenager: loud, unpredictable and completely inefficient. We usually only really start to deal with it when things stop working as they should – when the milk goes sour before its expiration date, when the appliances hum like generators and when we are surprised by an unpleasantly high electricity bill.
But you may not have known that you can prevent most of these problems with a simple household chore – without calling a repairman or replacing your refrigerator.
It's about cleaning the cooling coils – a component that most people don’t see, much less understand its importance. But it’s the coils that make your refrigerator actually cool. coolsIf you ignore them, they become invisible electricity guzzlers and a potential threat to your refrigerator – and your wallet.
What are cooling coils anyway – and why should you love them?
Cooling coils They are metal elements located at the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Their task is simple but crucial: they dissipate heat from the inside of the refrigerator to the surroundings, which allows the temperature inside to be maintained at a low level.
Coils act like radiators. When they become covered in dust, grease, or hair, they lose their ability to dissipate heat effectively – and your refrigerator starts to struggle to compensate for this loss of efficiency.
In other words – when the coils can no longer breathe, your refrigerator starts to pant. And that costs money. Energy, nerves and ultimately – money.
Dirty coils: the silent saboteur of your savings
When cooling coils become covered with a layer of dust and other debris, your refrigerator has to work harder and longer to reach the same temperature. This increases electricity consumption, which is directly reflected in the monthly bill.
But that's not all. An overloaded refrigerator doesn't just mean higher energy consumption. Compressor failure may occur in the long term, which means expensive repairs or even worse – replacing the entire appliance. Not to mention the fact that dirty coils can cause uneven cooling, which means your food is no longer safe, but more of a Russian roulette of freshness.
How often should you clean cooling coils?
The answer is not clear, but it is simple: at least once a year, in ideal conditions. But if your home includes pets, heavy traffic or dusty environment, then it makes more sense to clean every six months.
This prevents the accumulation of impurities that hinder the operation of the coils, and at the same time prepares the appliance for seasonal challenges - especially hot summers, when the refrigerator is already operating at higher speeds anyway.
The ideal time for action? Spring and fall cleaning
If you are a fan of seasonal chores – that is, the type of person who changes their winter tires exactly on the legally specified date – then it makes the most sense to include coil cleaning in your spring and fall routine.
By cleaning before summer, you ensure that your refrigerator can withstand the hellish temperatures without draining your electrical system and bank account.
When is it time to seek professional help?
Although cleaning cooling coils is generally simple – you just need a vacuum cleaner, a soft brush, and a little patience – there are situations when things get complicated. Some refrigerators hide the coils behind plastic panels or deep under the appliance.where access is difficult.
If you find yourself in a situation where:
- you can't get to the coils,
- no improvement is observed after cleaning, or
- look for signs of rodents (yes, sometimes there are surprises hidden there!),
then it's time to call an expert.
In conclusion: very little effort for significant savings
Regularly cleaning your cooling coils is one of those household chores that requires little and pays off big. With just a few minutes of effort each year, you can:
- extend the life of your refrigerator,
- reduce your electricity bills and
- avoid unpleasant (and expensive) breakdowns.
And remember – the next time you casually dust your TV or picture frames, ask yourself this question: “How are my coils?”
