FREDERICK, MD, Apr 23, 2024—There's nothing wrong with holding onto an ancient appliance so long as it's still doing its job. But how can you tell when your fridge is on its way out? Kim Massett, REALTOR of Real Estate Teams, LLC offers the following insights.
"Since your fridge is responsible for safely storing your food items, it's important to make sure it's functioning properly," says Massett. "An efficient fridge is more than just a danger to your food safety - it's also an energy waster." Below are five signs it may be time for an appliance upgrade:
Condensation. "If your fridge is sweating on the inside or outside, it may not be cooling as well as it should," says Massett. Take a look at the sealing around the door for signs of a moisture leak, and use a thermometer to verify that the temperature it’s set to is being met.
Your motor is hot. The coils in the back of your fridge are insulated to keep their heat from impacting your fridge temperature. If you notice excessive heat coming from your coils, or you constantly hear your fridge working to maintain its temperature in a way it never did before, your motor may be on its way out.
Your freezer is frosty. "If you open your freezer to a frosty snowscape, something is amiss," says Massett. To troubleshoot, empty the fridge and freezer, defrost it, and plug back in. If the freezer behaves properly, someone may have left the freezer door open a crack. If it frosts back up, it's time to call in the pros or replace.
Your food is spoiling. If your food is spoiling, this is an obvious red flag your fridge isn't functioning as it should. Have a technician come take a look, or if the model is old, take the leap for a new one.
It's not energy efficient. Fridge models over 10 years old tend to use way more power than newer models. "If you have a high energy bill, or are just looking to become more efficient, consider upgrading to an energy efficient model," suggests Massett.
For information on real estate, please contact Real Estate Teams, LLC at kmassettrealtor@gmail.com, 13016442657, or Real Estate Teams, LLC.