Protect Your Investment: Refrigerators

The average refrigerator lasts 14 years or longer—plenty of time to forget the spoilage and mess that can happen if it simply stops working. While you have few DIY options if it starts acting up, these routine maintenance tips can maximize its life and minimize repair-related down time:

Keep refrigerator and freezer gaskets clean to keep cold air in. That and holding open the doors as little as possible—especially with a houseful of kids—can also take a big bite our of your utility bills, since refrigerators compete with dishwashers as the biggest energy hogs in the kitchen (and both of them vie with plasma TVs for the title of top energy user in the entire house).

Check for simple solutions before calling a pro. The owner's manual typically includes a troubleshooting section. If the manual covers multiple models, be sure to mark which is yours, along with the serial number, while paperwork from the purchase is still handy—often a challenge later. Also be sure to save that paperwork as long as you own the fridge.

Serial numbers can be found on the inside walls of the refrigerator or freezer compartments, attached to the cabinet door jambs, or behind the kick plate at the bottom of the unit.

Protect your warranty by calling the right person. If you need help and the fridge is still under warranty, be sure to contact a manufacturer-authorized repair service. Otherwise, work done within the warranty may not be covered. Have model and serial numbers ready when you call, and get receipts for all work performed.

A specific serial number can also help you determine the age of your fridge. One Illinois-based energy consultacy has created this Refrigerator Dating Page that lets you input your brand, serial and model number to learn its exact age.

See the "How we test refrigerators" video above to get more insight into your icebox's innards. Even more model-specific expertise and empathy is available in one of the 141 topic threads in the Refrigerators section of our of our Appliances Forum.  Many manufacturer Web sites also often host forums with advice on specific models.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Subscribers can see our complete advice recycling products that are beyond hope. Should you need to shop for a new refrigerator, start here.

Comments

[Kris]

Just had to have my fridge repaired.....it was freezing food in the the refrigerator. Thankfully it was still under warranty and was fixed with a new computer board.
I was rather surprised when the repairmen told us that the compressor, which wasn't the problem, is now only being warrantied for five years because the refrigerators are being made in China and quality control isn't what it should be. He told us that keeping older models, although not as efficient, generally take a licking and keep on ticking. With prices going up and quality going down I'm thinking twice about those extended warranties we never used to buy. Manufactures are making products that don't last and customers are being forced to buy the extended warranties to just to keep things running. I find that unfair.

[SSG Linus]

Long story short, the Army killed our Whirlpool Mark I (22.3 cf; ice maker/water in door). I'm trying to find a FAIR replacement cost/value. I realize it was old, depreciation and all that, but they've just written it off.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Linus

Brand: Whirlpool
Model Number: EHT221MTNR1
Serial Number: S14112154
Year: 1981

[Luv Your Fridge]

These are great tips on how to keep your fridge and freezer running efficiently...thanks!

[Steven Kraemer]

I would like to comment on the SubZero 550 refrigerator. After 16 years, the Sub Zero service technician told us that it was not fixable. The drain pipe was crumbling and freezing up amongst other things. I called Lydia at Sub Zero--1-800-222-7820 Ext 7837 who told me that the industry life for a refrigerator was 15 years. She stated that I should have the service company return, pull the refrigerator out of the wall reexamine it and then they put assess the problem. Sub Zero would not pay for this additional service call and refused to tell me what they would do if I let the service company take it apart. (I had already paid for one service call in which the technician told me the problem was NOT fixable.) I find Sub Zero to be a rip off. I would recommend that your examiner investigate and evaluate the merits of spending so much extra money for a refrigerator that became trash after 16 years. It was the model 550.

Thank you

Steven H. Kraemer
155o North Lake Shore Drive #31g
Chicago, Illinois 60610