5 Things You Didn't Know About Your Refrigerator

For something that you use every day, how much do you really know about your refrigerator? It has been called the Greatest Invention in the History of Food and is found in over 99% of homes across the country, yet most people don't know anything about it other than that it keeps their food cold.

Read these five refrigerator-related facts – we guarantee that you'll learn something. 

1. It can account for over 10% of your monthly electric bill.

Your refrigerator is the only appliance in your home which runs 24/7, which means it is one of the household's top energy consumers. There are things you can do to reduce how much electricity your refrigerator uses, click here see them.

2. Fuller is (usually) better.

Your refrigerator and your freezer both work better when you keep them well-stocked. This is because the more cold food you have inside, the better it maintains its temperature when the door is opened. Don't over-stuff them though, as this could hinder air circulation and lead to warm spots. Shoot to keep your refrigerator ~80% full at all times.

3. You should keep your refrigerator between 34-39°F.

Many new refrigerators have a built-in temperature display, but if yours doesn't you can purchase a refrigerator thermometer for less than $10. It is recommended to keep your refrigerator's temperature higher than 33° to prevent your food and drinks from freezing, but lower than 40° to minimize bacteria growth.

4. November 15^th is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.

Every year on November 15^th, homeowners are encouraged to thoroughly wash and clean out their refrigerators. This not only keeps your appliance looking like new, it prevents health risks associated with spoiled food. At Speedy Subzero, we recommend following this cleaning routine every month to keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape.

5. More than 8 million refrigerators are sold each year in America.

The best-selling refrigerator style every year is the top-freezer model, due to its practicality and relatively low price. If you are planning on buying a new refrigerator to replace a broken unit, it may first be worth seeing if you can get yours repaired for a fraction of the price.

If you live in New York City or Long Island and are experiencing a malfunctioning refrigerator, look no further than Speedy Subzero. For more than 75 years, homeowners in New York have trusted us to repair their refrigerators, freezers, ice-makers, and wine coolers. No matter the brand, no matter the model, we can fix it for you! Our lines are always open, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

5 Things to Know About Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator sits in your kitchen and quietly works around-the-clock to help keep your food cold and fresh, but how often do you think about it when you aren't using it? Here are five things to keep in mind about your home's most important appliance.

1. It is your only appliance that runs 24/7.

Your home has many appliances – stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, and clothes dryers to name a few; but none of them work harder than your refrigerator. The refrigerator is the only appliance in your house that runs around the clock, working to keep your food fresh and your drinks cold and refreshing.

2. Like your car, it needs some basic maintenance.

Because your refrigerator never gets a break, it is important that you do some routine maintenance work in order to keep it running efficiently for a long time. The average lifespan of a refrigerator is about 10-15 years, but many won't last this long due to poor maintenance. Some things you can do to extend your fridge's lifespan include vacuuming the condenser coils every six months and periodically examining the gasket for air leaks.

3. There is such a thing as “too much”.

You may have heard that keeping your refrigerator full will help your food last longer because it better retains its temperature when the door is opened. This is true – to an extent. However, there is a such think as overstocking your refrigerator, which hinders air circulation and leads to warm spots. To achieve optimal food freshness, keep your refrigerator full, but not stuffed.

4. It is a bacteria hotspot.

If you regularly buy raw meat and fresh produce, your refrigerator is constantly exposed to an enormous amount of germs and bacteria. To help prevent cross-contamination, keep all uncooked meat, fish and poultry on the bottom shelf – this will prevent it from dripping onto and infecting foods below it. You should also clean your refrigerator every 1-2 months using this method.

5. Some spots are colder than others.

While you may think your refrigerator is one big, consistent box of coldness, this is actually not true. Certain spots in your refrigerator tend to be colder than others. Since warm air rises, keep foods resistant to spoiling (such as ready-to-eat foods, juices, and soda) on the top shelves and sensitive foods such as raw meats and dairy towards the bottom. The door is the warmest area of the refrigerator, so avoid storing your milk here.

If your refrigerator ever breaks down, you might be able to repair it for a fraction of the cost of a new model. Speedy Subzero has provided fast, reliable refrigerator repairs to New York residents for more than 75 years. We provide emergency support on nights and weekends and offer one-hour service to Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. To schedule an in-home repair, call us today at 866-782-9376.

Fact or Myth? - Refrigerators

We use refrigerators every day, but how much do we really know about them? Read through these five statements about refrigerators and see if you can determine which ones are facts and which ones are simply myths.

1. You should store milk and other dairy products on the refrigerator door.

Myth. Temperatures are generally higher near the refrigerator door than anywhere else because of the constant opening and closing. This is why you should keep condiments on the door and store spoilage-prone items such as meat and milk towards the back of the refrigerator where it stays the coldest.

2. The optimal temperature range for a refrigerator is between 35 and 39° F.

Fact. Keeping your refrigerator's temperature between 35 and 39° is the best for keeping your food fresh. Anything below 35° is too close to the freezing point of water, and anything 40° and above will promote the growth of bacteria.

3. The condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator should be cleaned once per year.

Myth. To keep your refrigerator running efficiently and your energy bill low, you should clean its condenser coils every six months. Doing so will also minimize wear-and-tear on your appliance and help prevent future breakdowns and repairs.

4. Refrigerating batteries helps them last longer.

Myth. When stored at normal room temperature, standard alkaline batteries discharge their energy at a rate of 2% per year. Storing them in the refrigerator might marginally reduce this number, but battery manufacturers recommend against doing this because it can lead to condensation and the corrosion of the batteries.

5. The compressor is essentially the heart of your refrigerator.

Fact. The compressor is the most important part of your refrigerator, much like your car's engine or your body's heart. In addition to acting as a pump to circulate the refrigerant through the system, the compressor adds heat to the liquid refrigerant by compressing it, helping to cool the inside of your refrigerator.

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