Keep Your Cool: How to Help Your Refrigerator Survive a Hot Tulsa Summer

We're all feeling it. That humid Oklahoma heat has settled in. While your A/C gets all the attention, there's another appliance working 24/7 to keep you cool: your refrigerator. It's fighting a tough battle against the summer heat to keep your food safe and your drinks cold.

As the owner of Route 66 Appliance Repair, I can tell you that my phone starts ringing every single July. The most common and costly mistake I see homeowners make is not realizing that a major breakdown could have been prevented with just a few minutes of simple maintenance. A fridge full of spoiled food during a Tulsa heatwave is a stressful and expensive situation nobody wants.

Before you are faced with that problem, here are a few expert tips to help your refrigerator beat the heat.

Tip #1 - Clean The Condenser Coils

Think of these coils as your refrigerator's radiator. They release the heat that's been removed from the inside of the fridge. When they get covered in dust, pet hair, and dirt (which happens easily!), your refrigerator can't release heat efficiently. It has to run longer and harder, which uses more electricity and puts major stress on the compressor.

How to do it:

• Safety First! Unplug your refrigerator completely.

• Locate the coils. On most newer models, the coils are located on the bottom behind the front grille OR they be found on the back of the unit.

• Use a long thin brush (you can buy a special "condenser coil brush" online or at a hardware store) and your vacuum cleaner's hose attachment to gently clean the dust and debris off the coils.

• Plug it back in. You've just made your fridge's job much easier!

Tip #2 - Check Your Door Seals with "Dollar Bill Test"

Even the most powerful refrigerator can't keep cool if the cold air is constantly leaking out. A worn-out door seal (also called a gasket) is a common energy-waster in Tulsa.

How to do it:

• Take a dollar bill and close it in the refrigerator door so that half is in and half is out.

• Gently try to pull the bill out. You should feel some definite tension or resistance.

• Slide the bill all the way around the edge of the door (top, bottom, and both sides) to check for loose spots.

• If the bill slides out with no resistance at all, your seal is leaking. Try cleaning the gasket first with warm soapy water to see if that helps it stick. If it is torn or still loose, then it will likely need to be replaced by a professional.

"The two most common causes of refrigerator inefficiency that we see are worn-out door gaskets and obstructed condenser coils. Both issues force the compressor to work harder and longer, wasting electricity and leading to premature failure of the appliance." -U.S. Department of Energy

Tip #3 - Give It Room to Breathe

Just like we need our space when it gets hot, your refrigerator needs room for air to circulate. Without proper airflow, the heat trying to escape has nowhere to go.

How to do it:

• Gently pull your refrigerator out from the wall. You should have at least 2-3 inches of space behind it and an inch or two on top.

• Avoid storing cereal boxes or other items on top of the fridge, as this can block the airflow.

• This is especially important for refrigerators built into tight cabinetry. Make sure there is still room for air to move around it.

Tip #4 - A Special Warning for Garage Refrigerators

Many of us here in the Tulsa area keep a second fridge or freezer in the garage for extra drinks and food. Nonetheless, people living in Tulsa should be aware garages can reach well over 100 degrees on a summer afternoon. Most standard refrigerators are not designed to operate in that kind of extreme ambient heat.

Your garage fridge is working incredibly hard right now. Pay close attention to it. If you notice it's running constantly, or your items aren't as cold as they should be, then the unit is struggling with the heat. These tips are even more critical for a garage unit.

Tip #5 - Master Your Food Placement

Believe it or not, an empty refrigerator uses more energy than a well-stocked one. The cold items inside help each other stay cold, reducing the work your fridge has to do. However, over-stuffing it is just as bad, as it blocks the vents that circulate cold air.

How to do it:

• Aim to keep your refrigerator about two-thirds full. If it's looking empty, a few jugs of water will help maintain the cold temperature.

• Never block the air vents located at the back of the refrigerator. This is the most common cause of warm spots and uneven cooling.

• Quickly find what you need and close the door. Less open-door time means less cold air escapes.

Don't Sweat It: Final Thoughts

A little bit of maintenance goes a long way in an Oklahoma summer. By taking these simple steps, you can lower your energy bills, extend the life of your refrigerator, and prevent a stressful breakdown.

If you've tried these tips and are still having issues or if you've discovered a bigger problem like a torn door seal, do not hesitate to call a professional appliance repair company in Tulsa. You can check out our fast, reliable refrigerator service by clicking here.

Contact Route 66 Appliance Repair today at 918-904-9854 or visit us online at www.route66appliancerepair.com. We're here to help our neighbors in Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, and surrounding communities keep their cool all summer long!