Refrigerator FAQs

You've got questions, we've got answers. Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions regarding refrigerators, and expert answers to all of them from the professionals at Speedy Subzero.

How cold should my refrigerator be?

We all know that refrigerators have one purpose: to keep your food cold. But how cold is cold enough? The experts at Speedy Subzero recommend keeping your refrigerator between 34-38° Fahrenheit. Water freezes at 32 degrees, and bacteria growth rates spike at 40. The 34-38° range is ideal to keep your food just cold enough and minimize germs.

What does “auto-defrost” mean?

If you have been appliance shopping recently, you have probably noticed the word “auto-defrosting” appear on several labels. There are two types of refrigerators: auto-defrosting and manual-defrosting. As ice builds up on the inside of your freezer, you will need to unplug your refrigerator in order to “defrost” it in order to prevent the frost from taking up too much room and ruining your energy efficiency. Auto-defrosting models do this for you by automatically heating up the interior walls just enough to melt the ice, which drains down a pipe and ends up in the drip pan where it evaporates.

Does my refrigerator need any routine maintenance?

Yes, refrigerators can last fifteen years or more, but only if they are properly maintained. Good practices include vacuuming the condenser coils, lubricating the gasket, and keeping the interior clean of spills and stains. Click here for a comprehensive maintenance checklist.

How do I properly dispose of my old refrigerator?

Because of its harmful effects on the environment, you can't bring a refrigerator to your local landfill without first removing the refrigerant. Only a licensed professional can do this, so look up local services in your area. Many places will pick up your refrigerator from your house and handle the entire disposal process for a small free.

My refrigerator is leaking, making loud noises, not staying cold etc. What is wrong with it?

While most people think of their refrigerator as nothing more than a giant box of ice, it is actually a complex machine which requires many individual components to work together in order to get the job done. If your refrigerator is malfunctioning, there is no way to be entirely sure what is causing the issue – you will have to contact a local repair service.

If you are looking for an appliance repair service on Long Island, look no further than Speedy Subzero! Our licensed professionals have more than 75 years of experience repairing refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers. We guarantee one-hour service to Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City, so call us today at 866-782-9376.

Prevent Food Poisoning by Keeping Your Refrigerator Safe!

Food poisoning can come from more places than an undercooked hamburger. In fact, many cases of foodborne illnesses start in the kitchen, which is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

According to WebMD, tainted food is responsible for over 300,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. The good news is that about 25% of these cases can be prevented by practicing better food safety habits, especially pertaining to your refrigerator.

Here is what you can do to make your refrigerator – and thus your kitchen, and your entire home – a safer place:

• Store your raw meat on the bottom shelf. The bottom shelf is one of the coldest areas of the refrigerator, which will help preserve your raw meats for longer. Doing this also prevents the meat from dripping down and contaminating the food beneath it.

• Clean your refrigerator every 2 weeks. Have you ever discovered a scientific experiment lurking in the depths of your refrigerator? That's what happens when you neglect to clean it; make an effort to go through your fridge other week and throw away food which has expired.

• Wipe up all spills immediately. Spills, leaks, and drippings are a leading source of cross-contamination in the kitchen. Keep an eye on your refrigerator shelves and clean up any noticeable spills and stains immediately.

• Shop smarter. Food safety begins at the grocery store. Carefully inspect all meats, produce, and dairy products before you buy them, looking for signs of spoiling or contamination. Be sure to check the dates on all foods, even those in cans and jars.

• Keep your refrigerator below 40° F. The optimal temperature for a refrigerator is between 34-38 degrees. Once the temperature reaches 40, bacteria growth rates begin to spike, causing your food to prematurely spoil.

Is your refrigerator having trouble maintaining a cold, consistent temperature? Don't take a trip to the appliance store just yet, the repair experts at Speedy Subzero may be able to fix it for a fraction of the cost! We serve all of Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City, and guarantee one-hour service. Our lines are always open, so give us a call anytime at 866-782-9376.

Why Is My Refrigerator Warm? Common Causes For Temperature Problems

“You had one job!” is something that you might yell at your refrigerator when your food goes bad because the temperature was too warm.

While refrigerators do only have one job (to keep your food cold), they require a lot of individual components working together in order to get it done right. If just one of the pieces to the puzzle isn't operating at full capacity, you could end up with a fridge full of spoiled food.

If you are having problems getting your refrigerator to maintain a consistently cold temperature, it might be due to one of these reasons.

Thermostat Settings

Nearly every refrigerator on the market today has an adjustable thermostat. The high-end models will allow you to set your desired temperature to an exact degree, while the more economical units will have a dial labeled 1-10 or cold-coldest. Whichever you have, make sure the thermostat is set appropriately.

Leaky Gasket

The gasket is the rubber seal that runs around the inside of your refrigerator door. It is responsible for preventing air loss, but it is often one of the first components that needs replacing. Visually inspect your gasket for signs of wear and tear – if yours is cracked, you should swap it out for a new one immediately.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Your refrigerator releases heat through the condenser coils, which are located on the back of most models. Over time, these coils can become coated in a thick layer of dust, dirt, and other grime, hurting your appliance's ability to keep cool. Clean these coils every six months using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Mechanical Malfunctions

At any given time, there are no less than a dozen mechanical components working to keep your refrigerator cold. With this many variables, it is nearly impossible to guess which one is responsible for your problem. If your thermostat is set to its lowest setting, your gasket is undamaged, and your condenser coils are clean, you should call a local repair service to identify the problem.

If you are searching for a fast, dependable refrigerator repair service on Long Island, Speedy Subzero is there for you! We guarantee one-hour service to Nassau County and Suffolk County, no matter what time nor day it is. Our technicians are fully licensed and trained, and we back up our work with a 100% guarantee. Call us today at 866-782-9376.

Freezer Buying Guide

Standalone freezers are great investments for homeowners. Not only are they super energy-efficient, but they also provide an extra space to store your frozen foods – something which you can't put a price on. If you have never purchased a freezer before, don't worry; this guide will lay out everything you need to know about finding the one that is right for you.

Location, Location.

Where are you going to keep your freezer? This sounds like a small, insignificant detail, but it can actually impact your buying process. Not all freezers can operated in an unheated/uncooled area, so if you plan on running yours in a garage or unfinished basement, your options might be limited.

Size and Style.

There are two main styles of freezers: upright and chest. Both configurations offer their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Chest freezers are more energy-efficient and offer more storage space, while standalone freezers provide easier access to your food and require less floor space in your house. Both styles of freezers also come in a variety of sizes; the one that is best for you depends on space limitations, as well as your eating and shopping habits.

Energy Efficiency.

When you buy a new appliance such as a freezer, it is not a one-time payment. In addition to the hundreds of dollars you will have to shell out at the time of the purchase, you will also have to pay money every month to operate it. While it may cost a little more up front, investing in an Energy Star-certified model can save you tons of money down the road.

Extra Features.

This is really dependent on your budget, but if you have some extra money to work with, you might want to splurge for some state-of-the-art features. Certain manufacturers now make models which include special features such as self-defrosting interiors, fast-freeze sections, and alarms that sound when the temperature gets too warm.

Are you looking to buy a new freezer to replace your old, broken unit? Before you head to the local appliance store, call Speedy Refrigerator Service! Chances are, we can fix your freezer for a fraction of the cost of buying a new model. We serve all of Long Island and New York city, so call us today to schedule a same-day repair at 866-782-9376.

4 Qualities to Look for in an Appliance Repair Service

If your refrigerator is malfunctioning, what do you do? You could grab your checkbook and head to the nearest appliance store, but chances are you could have your unit repaired for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one.

So, you decide to look up local repair services instead. There are probably going to be several to pick from in your area, so how do you know which one to choose? It's easy, just look for these four qualities:

Licenses & Certifications

When looking for an appliance repair service, you want to make sure to hire someone who is qualified to do the job. When you are prospecting companies, call them and ask if they are certified to work in your state, and ask for their license number.

Years of Experience

It's always a good sign when a company has been in business for a long time – it means that they are clearly doing something right. Experience is not the be-all and end-all in this situation, but it is generally easier to trust a company that has been around for decades, as opposed to one that just opened up.

Warranties on their Work

How can you trust a repairman's work if they don't even trust their own? Look for a repair service that stands behind their work and offers an extended warranty on all parts and labor. It is better to spend some extra time searching up front then having to call twice because your fridge broke again.

Availability

When it comes to appliance repairs, especially refrigerators, time is of the essence. It only takes fresh foods a few hours to spoil in a refrigerator that isn't working. You want a repair service that offers around-the-clock coverage, and one that can get to your house as soon as possible in the event of an emergency.

If you live on Long Island or in New York City, look no further than Speedy Subzero for all of your refrigerator repair needs. We are fully licensed to work in the state of New York, and have been fixing refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers for more than 75 years. We offer a 100% warranty on all of our work, and we guarantee one-hour service to anywhere in Nassau and Suffolk County. Our phone lines are always open, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

Why You Should Clean Your Refrigerator's Condenser Coils

When was the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? What about your refrigerator's condenser coils?

If you have never heard of such a thing, allow us to explain: one of your refrigerator's most vital components are the condenser coils, which are located on the back of most models. These windy tubes are essential for proper cooling and efficient energy usage, as the refrigerant releases heat through them.

Over the course of several months, these coils can become coated in a thick layer of dust, pet hair, and other debris. It is important to clean them every six months for the following reasons:

• Prevent overheating. As previously mentioned, the condenser coils are where your refrigerator releases excess heat. If it can not effectively do this, you run the risk of overheating, which can lead to a rather large repair bill or even the need for a new unit.
• Improved energy-efficiency. When your condenser coils are coated in dust and hair, the compressor must work harder in order to maintain your desired temperature. You will see the results of this every month on your electricity bill.
• Reduced wear-and-tear. A hard-working compressor not only runs up your utility bill, it shortens the lifespan of your appliance. The less your compressor has to work, the longer it will last.

So how can you clean your condenser coils? Just follow these easy steps:

1. Unplug your refrigerator and slide it away from the wall.
2. Brush the coils to loosen up the debris. They sell specialty brushes for this, but using an old toothbrush is effective too.
3. Using your vacuum cleaner's brush attachment, thoroughly clean all visible dust and hair from the coils. Be careful not to damage the coils or the fins.
4. Plug your refrigerator in, and move it back to its place.

Sound too complicated? Let us do it for you! For over 75 years, Speedy Subzero has been repairing and servicing refrigerators across Long Island and New York City. We are currently offering a special which includes coil cleaning, motor oiling, freon level checking, and more for just $39.95! Call us now to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.