Many fridges die unexpectedly and this could happen more often during the summer, when the temperature and humidity increase. You need to use common sense to make sure that your fridge can last much longer. First of all, you shouldn’t leave the fridge door open, hoping that it will cool down the room a bit. Refrigerator isn’t an air conditioner and you shouldn’t use it to cool yourself. People often sit in front of the fridge, when the temperature is unbearably hot. Another way to ensure that your fridge will last longer is by putting just enough item inside the defrost system.
Containers of juice and water should be tightly sealed. Open liquid will increase the level of humidity inside the fridge and more moisture will be deposited onto the cooling coil. If it happens, the compressor will run longer. The normal run time for refrigerator is about 16 hours a day, but if there’s extra moisture inside the fridge, it may increase to 20 hours per day. You should also make sure to turn off the icemaker, if you don’t need it. You should make ice cubes only when you need them, because keeping the ice cubes frozen for days will cause the fridge to run longer and harder.
You should also check the fridge door to ensure that it has been sealed properly. Gaskets that are full of cracks and holes will allow some warm air to enter. The seal should be cleaned regularly with warm water mixed with light detergent. A good way to test the sealing ability of the door is to close it while letting half of the one dollar bill inside the fridge. If you feel resistance when pulling out the bill, then the seal is working properly. You should test the full perimeter of the door and the resistance should be felt uniformly. If the seal doesn’t seem to work and you have cleaned it, it is possible that the sealing is already warped out of alignment.
If this is your situation, you should call the service company. It is also a good idea to avoid overloading other compartments of the fridge. A standard fridge shouldn’t accommodate more than 50 pounds of food. If your fridge is overloaded, food won’t be cooled down properly. Many fridges have big door shelves that can be overloaded easily. You should move heavy items, like large soda containers or glass bottles into an inner container. When the door is overloaded, it will become heavier and the gasket will be stretched, allowing a small opening to allow warm air to enter.
It is also a good idea to avoid blocking the air circulation. There should be enough room between the refrigerator and the wall. Trays, brooms and bags may block the airflow and the compressor could overheat and it will burn out more easily. When the compressor is overworked, the internal temperature will become quite erratic.