3 Common Causes Of Refrigerator Problems

The refrigerator is easily one of the most important appliances in your home. Since it’s constantly running around the clock, the chance of  breaking down is high. While most refrigerators have fairly long lifespans, you will probably encounter the need for minor repairs from time to time. If your fridge is leaking or cycles too often, don’t panic! A lot of problems can be fixed at home or for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. Here are three of the most common problems that people experience with their refrigerators and how you should handle them.

Problem: It’s Cycling Too Often- Having a refrigerator that is constantly running, is not only annoying to listen to, but can leave a dent in your wallet. Refrigerators are one of the most power-hungry appliances in your home, and ones that cycle often will send your energy bill sky high!

Cause & Solution: Typically a buildup of dirt and debris in the condenser coils is to blame here. If vacuuming your condenser coils don’t do the trick, make sure to give the professionals a call!

Problem: It’s Leaking- While it’s never a good sign to see a pool of water forming under your fridge, it’s actually very common.

Cause & Solution: When food particles and other debris clog the drain hose, it leads to an ice buildup. That eventually causes the water to spill out of the freezer and refrigerator. Flushing the drain from inside the freezer with warm water, or using a pipe cleaner to remove the clog can be effective ways to fix this watery worry!

Problem:There’s Ice Buildup In the Freezer- You’ll obviously want some ice in your freezer, but seeing a winter wonderland upon opening the door is a sign that there could be trouble.

Cause & Solution: Leaving your freezer door open for a prolonged period of time can raise the humidity level, causing this icy buildup. A simple solution is to be mindful of how long you are keeping the door open and make your trips to the freezer short! A faulty seal could also be to blame. Try cleaning your seal with soap and warm water, thoroughly dry it and close the door. If you notice that your door isn’t staying closed, turn to the professionals for help! Afterall, we wouldn’t want you to risk that chocolate ice cream spoiling!

Are you experiencing refrigerator problems? The experts at Speedy Subzero are just a phone call away. With over 75 years of experience in the Long Island area, don’t trust anyone else to fix your refrigerator or freezer. We guarantee one-hour service to Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City. Call us today to schedule your appointment with one of our licensed technicians at 866-782-9376.

Consequences of Poor Fridge Maintenance

We have previously talked about how to keep your refrigerator looking and running like new, but not everybody will follow these steps. Just like with a car, failing to properly maintain your kitchen appliances will catch up with you sooner or later. A poor maintenance routine for your refrigerator will have short-term and long-term consequences.

Short-Term Problems

Not properly taking care of your refrigerator will be noticed immediately, most notably in your electric bill. Neglecting simple tasks, such as cleaning the condenser coils, can really hurt your appliance's energy-efficiency. Failure to periodically inspect the door gasket is another way for your refrigerator's energy consumption to skyrocket. A faulty seal will result in cold air escaping, which your refrigerator must replace by working harder and using more electricity. Over time, this increase in energy can add begin to add up.

Long-Term Problems

A poor refrigerator maintenance routine will eventually cost you more than a higher utility bill. It places a heavier workload on your refrigerator's compressor, and the wear and tear adds up. Over the course of several years, this added work will catch up to your appliance in the form of malfunctions and defects. If you are not regularly examining the different parts of your refrigerator, you will not see the warning signs that a breakdown is on the horizon. Even the most simple of refrigerator repairs can be expensive, and if your unit is broken beyond saving, buying a new one will set you back several hundreds of dollars.

Getting into a regular maintenance routine for your refrigerator is a great way to prevent future problems, but still nothing is 100% effective. If your refrigerator needs to be repaired and you live in the Long Island area, call Speedy Subzero. We have over 75 years of experience and offer one-hour service. Visit our website for more information or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Pros and Cons of Each Refrigerator Style

If you are buying a new refrigerator for the first time in a while, you may have noticed the abundance of options which are now available to you. Buying a refrigerator is no longer a simple choice, and many things need to be taken into consideration before a purchase is made. One of the first things you will want to consider is the style of refrigerator you will want. Generally speaking, refrigerators come in four categories – top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French door. A basic list of the pros and cons of each type can be found below.
 

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Top Freezer models are what you likely picture when you think of a refrigerator. These traditional models feature the freezer located above the fresh food compartment.

• Pros – These classic refrigerators are usually the cheapest to buy and repair. On average, they offer the most usable space per cubic foot and the doors swing open wide to allow shelves and bins to be removed.
• Cons – The wide-swinging doors of these models require more space to be opened fully. These models also tend to have less features available to them. 
  
  

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Bottom Freezer refrigerators are the inverse of their top-freezer counterparts. The fresh food compartment is elevated to a more convenient height, and the freezer is usually accessed via pull-out drawer.

• Pros – As mentioned, much of the fresh food section is at eye level, which is very convenient because it is used much more than the freezer in most homes. This type of refrigerator is also one of the most energy-efficient styles.
• Cons – Because the freezer is now at the bottom, you will have to bend over to access it. Bottom-freezer models are also more expensive than top-freezer alternatives.
  
  

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

French Door refrigerators are a special kind of bottom-freezer model where the fresh food compartment has two doors that can be pulled open to reveal a very spacious interior.

• Pros – The French door refrigerator combines the benefits of bottom-freezer and side-by-side models. The shelf width of these types allow for easy storage of platters and pizza boxes. The narrow doors do not require as much space to be opened and these models offer a variety of features.
• Cons – The biggest drawback of French door refrigerators is their high price tag.

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Side-By-Side models are unique because the fresh food and frozen compartments both take up the full height of the unit and are divided vertically down the refrigerator.

• Pros – The side-by-side placement of the doors allows for a convenient height to access both the fresh and frozen food compartments. Also, like the French door model, narrow doors require less space for opening. This type allows for the most freezer space of all of the refrigerator styles.
• Cons – The narrow sections do not handle wide platters well and sometimes make items in the back difficult to find. More freezer space results in less fresh food space and these models are typically pricier than top-freezer or bottom-freezer models. Side-by-side refrigerators are not energy-efficient.

Before beginning to shop for a new refrigerator, it may be in your best interest to first make sure that yours can't be repaired for a fraction of the cost. Speedy Sub Zero has been repairing refrigerators in Long Island and New York City for more than 50 years. We offer 24/7 emergency service and can be at your door within one hour of your call. Call 866-782-9376 now to set up an appointment or visit our Facebook page for more information. 

Sources:
Best Buy

Consumer Reports

4 Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

Whether the reasons are environmentally- or economically-based, people across the country are trying to reduce their energy consumption. One place that leaves a great amount of room for improvement is the kitchen. Every day, we go through our cooking routines much in the same way that we have been for our whole lives – usually without second-guessing our actions. These routines that we inherited from our parents or developed on our own are often not as environmentally-friendly as they could be. Here are four quick, easy, and free ways to reduce the amount of energy that you and your kitchen consume.

Be mindful of pots and pans on the stove top.

When cooking on the stove top, use a burner that is the same size of the pot or pan you will be using. Placing a 6” pan on a 8” burner may sound harmless, but the truth is that almost 50% of the heat generated by your stove top will be wasted. Keeping lids on these will further increase heat retention, and thus save energy. You can also turn the heat down when your water reaches a boil.

Turn off the oven early.

If you are cooking a meal in the oven for 25 minutes at 400°, you can turn the oven off after 20 and let the existing heat cook your food for the remainder of the period. This works even better if you refrain from opening the oven door to check on your food and instead look through the glass with the oven light on. This lesson can also be applied to boiling pasta on the stove top – just make sure you have a lid on the pot.

Only use the water you need.

When cooking food which requires you to boil water – such as potatoes, pasta, or eggs – use only as much water as you will need. Many of us put in much more water than is necessary just to “be safe”, but that hurts the energy-efficiency of your appliances. Simple physics will tell you that more time and energy is required to boil one gallon of water on your stove than one pint.

Bigger is not always better.

When trying to save energy, think small. This is especially true in the kitchen. When making a personal-sized meal, opt for the microwave or toaster oven over your conventional oven. Is the food processor really necessary, or will the blender suffice? These are the kinds of decisions you should be making in your daily life to cut down on energy consumption around the house.

Speedy SubZero is a refrigerator repair service located in New York. We specialize in Sub Zero refrigerator repairs in Huntington, Brookville, Dix Hills, Great Neck, Garden City, Port Washington, and surrounding areas. If your Sub Zero refrigerator is broken, trust our 60 years of experience to fix it. We have 24/7 emergency service, so call us now at 866-782-9376 or visit our Facebook page to learn more.

4 Cool Features of New Refrigerators

If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, now is a better time to buy than ever. With advancements in technology and manufacturers focusing on the customer, there are features available to you which did not exist just a few years ago. While they may not be life-changing nor vital, they are pretty cool (no pun intended). Here are four of the best features included in some new models:

Chill your warm can of soda in minutes

If you have ever opened your refrigerator door only to find out that you forgot to put your soda cans in the night before, this is for you. Instead of waiting hours for them to cool in the refrigerator or putting a can or two in the freezer and forgetting about them, modern technology solves your problem in a matter of minutes. LG offers new models featuring their Blast Chiller technology, which can cool a 12-ounce can in just five minutes.

Cool your hot leftovers fast

It is advised that you let hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator in order to prevent the warming up of others foods around it, but now it's okay to break the rules. Some new refrigerators come equipped with high-tech sensors which automatically adjust temperature settings when warm food is detected.

Time-based alarms built in to the door

Have you ever walked in to your kitchen to find that the refrigerator had been left open? Maybe you didn't fully close the door when you kicked it and walked into the living room an hour ago. Not only does this situation put your food in danger of spoiling quicker, but your refrigerator has to use a lot of energy to bring its temperature back down. Refrigerator manufacturers have thought about this, and have implemented an alarm which will sound when the door has been left open for several minutes.

Bigger and better water dispensers

Having a water dispenser on your refrigerator door used to be a luxury – now it is almost a necessity. Companies such as GE and LG have taken water dispensers to the next level with a variety of new features available. Extra tall dispensers now allow you to fill glasses, pitchers, and water bottles easier than ever without putting them at awkward angles. Some models even let you walk away from the dispenser while it automatically fills your container to the volume of your choice.

Before buying a new refrigerator, it is wise to make sure that yours cannot be repaired for a fraction of the cost. If you live in Queens or Long Island, call Speedy Subzero at 866-782-9376 to schedule an appointment. We offer one-hour service and are available 24/7. You can also like us on Facebook to stay up to date with company news, offers, and promotions.

4 Signs That it is Time for a New Fridge

Since most refrigerators last about 15 years, replacing yours probably isn't one of your daily concerns. Most people don't even think about buying a new one until it is too late. However, refrigerators don't just break overnight; it is usually a long, slow process of decline. Looking out for these four signs can help you be aware that you need to start looking for a new one before yours ultimately dies and all of your food is spoiled. 

Condensation On the Door Frame

If you notice water drops accumulating on or around the door frame, this is a sure sign of faulty seals. A bad sealing system allows cold air to escape from the refrigerator and warm air to enter it, causing unnecessary wear and tear on your refrigerator's compressor. 

The Refrigerator is Hot

If the outer surface of your refrigerator feels unusually hot, it is a telling sign that it is going to need to be replaced soon. Refrigerators produce heat, so it is normal for the exterior to be a little warm, but if it is excessively hot (as in you can't comfortably keep your hand on it for more than a few seconds), it may be time to hit the appliance store. 

Unusual Increase In the Energy Bill

As refrigerators age, they become less energy-efficient. Unfortunately, the only way to determine this is to keep a close eye on your electricity bill month-to-month. Of course, a spike your monthly statement doesn't necessarily mean it is because of the refrigerator, in the summer months this could be caused by an air conditioner. However, if your use of electricity-consuming products around the house has remained relatively consistent and the bill keeps on going up, it might be worth it to start thinking of a new fridge. 

Strange Sounds

This is the most obvious sign of them all. If your refrigerator is making loud, unusual sounds, then it is literally telling you that something is wrong. Generally, the noise is being made by the compressor, which is the heart of your refrigerator. If the compressor is being overworked, it will drastically reduce the lifespan of your appliance.

If you notice any of these signs with your refrigerator and live in the tri-state area, call Speedy Subzero today. In many cases, our technicians will be able to repair your refrigerator at a fraction of what a new model will cost. If your fridge is on the fritz, time is of the essence and waiting could ultimately result in damage beyond repair. We offer one-hour service to New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey so call us today at 866-782-9376.You can also like us on Facebook to stay updated.

Why Choose Speedy Subzero for your Refrigerator Repairs

Are you having difficulties with your refrigerator? Look no further than Speedy Subzero to help you out. Our team of experts is readily available to fix your problem so that you can get back to your life as soon as possible. Here are four reasons why Speedy Subzero is your best choice for refrigerator repairs and service:

Same Day Service

99% of our parts are stored in our “warehouse on wheels.” This means that we are able to offer same day service to New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In most cases, one of our specialists will be at your doorstep within an hour!

24/7/365

Your refrigerator never stops running, and neither do we. When a malfunction occurs, waiting until the next business day for a fix often means spoiled food, warm drinks, and a headache for the whole family. Our technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; even holidays!

Familiarity with all brands & models

Don't let our name fool you; our team can repair any brand and model you can imagine. This includes refrigerators, freezers, ice makers and wine coolers.

Experienced Technicians

Speedy Subzero has been servicing all makes and models of refrigerators and other sub-zero appliances for 65 years. It is because of this that we personally guarantee and stand behind all of our work.

If your refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler is giving you problems, the solution is Speedy Subzero. With over 65 years of experience and same-day service to the tri-state area, let us make you our next satisfied customer. Call us at 866-782-9376 to schedule an appointment and make sure to follow us on Facebook so you can stay updated with tips, tricks, and company news!