Refrigerators and freezers are two of the most common residential and commercial appliances and work hard as they are constantly running 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days per year. Due to this it can be quite easier for a refrigerator or freezer not to be performing as efficiently as it could be, either through old age or by not being correctly maintained. This loss of efficiency can lead to the temperature inside the appliance raising above its optimum. Refrigerators should be kept at between 34-40 degrees F although the best temperature is 37 degrees F. Freezers should be kept at around 0 degrees F, anything much higher and food will not be fully frozen, too much lower and food can get freezer burn which ruins stored food.

Here are some tips on keeping your refrigerators and freezers working well and maintaining their optimum temperatures:

-Make sure that any food that is to be either put in the refrigerator or freezer is cooled down properly before doing so. Failing to do this could cause problems in the quality of food being stored and also reduce the temperature of the appliance and create condensation inside them. This can lead to food being spoilt and it will also encourage the growth of bacteria within the food.

-Test the temperature of your refrigerators and freezers regularly to make sure they are working well. This can be done by placing a glass of water with a thermometer inside in your refrigerator and leaving it for 24 hours. After this time check the temperature, if it is not within the recommended limits alter the temperature settings accordingly. Check your freezer by putting a thermometer inside it for around an hour and checking it. Once again if the temperature is not right adjust the controls.

-Try to keep the doors to your refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible, opening them too much or keeping them open for any reason will lead to a reduction in temperature and this will result in poorly stored food which could have bacteria growing in it. Commercially used refrigerators and freezers are mainly at risk of this happening as they have more usage than residential appliances.

-It is also wise to check the doors and seals on refrigerators and freezers as they can become damaged and cause air to get inside them altering the temperatures and causing food to spoil. If you notice anything wrong with a door or seal you must either get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

-Remember, like with all appliances refrigerators and freezers only have a life of around 12-14 years before they begin to become less efficient and break down so bear this in mind when your have had your appliance for some time.

If you follow these tips you will be using your refrigerators and freezers with confidence and know how to spot any problems. For more information on refrigeration and freezing either for a residential home or for a commercial property contact your local HVAC technician who can provide simple solutions to all of your appliance needs.