As the winter season approaches, the style of using home appliances also changes. Especially the fridge, which is used less in winter than in summer, but its proper care is very important. Experts say that if the refrigerator is operated properly in winter, not only can the food items remain fresh for a longer period, but the electricity consumption is also reduced significantly.
Due to low outside temperature in winter, there is naturally less pressure on the refrigerator compressor. But many times people think that because of this the fridge does not need special care. Whereas the reality is that even in this season, temperature control, internal cleanliness and protection from overload are extremely important. If wrong methods are adopted, food items can spoil quickly and the electricity bill can also increase.
First of all it is important to pay attention to the temperature setting. According to experts, in winter the temperature of the fridge should be between 3–5 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the freezer should be between -15 to -18 degrees. Many consumers have a habit of keeping the same temperature setting throughout the year, which makes the fridge colder than necessary during the cold season. This leads to unnecessary consumption of electricity and can also cause the problem of food freezing or drying out.
Checking the rubber gasket of the refrigerator door is especially important in winter. The cold may cause the gasket to become slightly hard, causing the door to not seal completely. This affects the cooling inside and makes the compressor run longer. It is beneficial to clean the gasket with lukewarm water or soap solution and inspect it from time to time.
Overloading of the refrigerator is also a common problem in winter. Many families fill the fridge completely during the festive season or just to stock up. By doing this the air flow is disrupted and cooling becomes uneven. Instead, it is considered better to keep the fridge 70–80% filled. Due to this, cooling remains balanced and energy consumption is controlled.
Defrosting is also important in cold weather, especially if your fridge is a direct cool model. Ice accumulation in the freezer makes cooling less effective and the compressor has to work harder. Defrosting from time to time not only improves cooling but also saves electricity.
Keeping the refrigerator at a distance from the wall and cleaning the coils behind it is necessary even in winter. Dust accumulation affects heat dissipation, which reduces the efficiency of the compressor.
Experts say that if the fridge is taken proper care of in winter, its lifespan increases and energy consumption can reduce by 10–20%. A little maintenance increases kitchen efficiency and also makes a big difference to your electricity bill.
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