Seasonal summertime changes can set the stage for appliance problems, so it’s important to stay on top of regular monitoring and maintenance. Preventing problems or catching them early can save you significant money and trouble in the long run.

Summer Bummers for Your Fridge

Summer days can bring a sense of ease and freedom to many people, but rising temperatures and humidity can put many appliances to the test. Refrigerators can be particularly hard hit.

Refrigerators 101

Your refrigerator works day and night to keep your food fresh using two types of fridge coils:

• Condenser coils, located on the back or bottom of your fridge
• Evaporator coils, located inside your fridge

The interior of your fridge isn’t automatically cool. The evaporator coils use a liquid refrigerant to remove heat from inside the refrigerator, thereby lowering the temperature.

As it takes in heat, the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas. From there, it passes through a compressor that compresses the gas, then to the condenser coils outside the fridge. The condenser coils release the heat captured inside the fridge, allowing the refrigerant to return to liquid form and flow back to the interior evaporator coils to repeat the process. 

High Temps & Humidity Mean More Work for Your Fridge

The warmer it is and the more times you open the fridge and let in room-temperature air, the harder your fridge has to work to maintain a cool interior temperature. The compressor has to cycle more frequently, which puts more wear and tear on it, and the whole appliance has to use more energy to do its job.

The other summertime issue affecting refrigerators is humidity. Humidity, aka increased moisture in the air, can also make cooling harder.

Condenser coils easily collect dust, pet hair, and other debris. In times of high humidity, this accumulation increases because the moisture helps particles to stick to the coils.

Not only does this layer of debris cause a mess, but it also creates an insulating barrier around the coils. If the coils are covered, your fridge has to work harder to release heat. This increase in workload also ups the chances of your fridge breaking down or struggling to keep food fresh.

Summertime Fridge TLC

To keep your fridge in top condition through the summer, you can do a few things:

• Be mindful of how often you open the fridge door
• Check the door gasket for wear or breaks (and replace if needed)
• Check and clean the condenser coils regularly

With a little attention, you can help your fridge work more efficiently and weather the summer without incident.

Summertime Washing Machine Woes

While your washing machine doesn’t face the same cooling challenges as your fridge, it still has its own warm-weather issues. Mold and mildew spores occur naturally in the environment, but they thrive in warm, moist conditions.

The inside of your washer, as well as the gaskets of front-load washers and dryers, are particularly susceptible to mold and mildew growth. If left unchecked, these fungi can cause a musty or moldy odor that sometimes transfers to your clothes. 

Additionally, mold and mildew can, over time, cause rubber gaskets to degrade. Damaged gaskets can lead to poor functionality, increased energy usage, and costly repairs.

Minimizing Mold and Mildew

You can’t do much about the weather, but you can make some adjustments to help out your washer and/or front-load dryer.

• Invest in a dehumidifier to reduce ambient moisture levels 
• Use a gentle vinegar solution to wipe down rubber gaskets 
• Leave the appliance door or lid open for a little while after each load of laundry to let moisture escape

If you keep an eye (and nose) on the environment around your laundry area and limit moisture as much as possible, your appliances will thank you!

When you need reputable, reliable appliance repair services in Morris County, call Morris County Appliance Repair. We’re your local company for comprehensive appliance repair solutions you can count on. Customer service is our top priority, and we’re fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind. With over 50 years of experience, we work with traditional and luxury appliance brands and always stay up to date with the latest in appliance technology. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!