Message
from the RepairGuru®
Welcome to
the June 2006 edition of the RepairClinic.com newsletter. It's summer
and temperatures are running high. To avoid high energy bills, it's essential
that your refrigerator's cooling system stays effective and efficient.
This month's tips help you evaluate and enhance your fridge's efficiency.
Plus, learn
how Michael in Beeville, Texas brought his own electric bills back in
line by fixing the gasket on his fridge door.
Texan
Reigns in High Electricity Bills
Michael
B., Beeville, Texas
Though
energy costs have risen in the past year, the change in Michael's
utility bill seemed a bit too abrupt.
"My
electricity bills kept going up," said Michael, a correctional
officer in Beeville, Texas.
Soon
after, he found the culprit - a continuously running refrigerator.
On closer inspection, he discovered the door gasket was worn out,
which kept it from sealing tightly.
Michael
typically handles all his own repairs. To fix the problem, he initially
tried a homemade solution. "I tried putting double-sided tape
to keep the gasket in place. Wrong. That lasted about 30 seconds."
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| How Did He Do It?
Problem: Refrigerator ran continuously due to a worn gasket
What led him to RepairClinic.com:
He searched for "refrigerator gasket"on Google.com
How he diagnosed the problem:
He could visibly see that the gasket was worn and not sealing
How he fixed it:
- Removed the fridge door
- Replaced the old gasket with the new one
- Bolted the inside molded door panel/liner back together
- Put the fridge door back on
Part needed:
Refrigerator door gasket
Tools used:
Screwdriver and small socket set (could also use a nutdriver)
Total time for repair:
Two hours
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Turning to
his computer, Michael found RepairClinic.com® on a Google.com search
for a solution. The helpful PartDetective® walked him through a series
of questions about his brand, appliance, model and drilled down until he was able to find
the right replacement gasket for his fridge.
The part
arrived in just three days, with instructions included. Michael removed
the fridge door and laid it out in the living room, temporarily covering
the open fridge with plastic to keep in the cold. He took off all the
bolts holding the inside molded panel/liner of the door in place. Then, he switched
out the old gasket for the new, bolted the inside molded door panel/liner back on, and
then put the fridge door back in place.
In total,
fixing the gasket took Michael about two hours, but it was well worth
it. He didn't have to wait home all day and estimates he saved at least $70, or more, by doing the job
himself, rather than calling a repair technician. And, with a tight door
seal, his fridge compressor is doing much less work, also saving Michael
and his family money on their utility bills. The new door gasket will also help prolong the life of the appliance.
Next time,
he won't hesitate to turn to RepairClinic.com for other parts and repair
information.
"I was
pleased it was the right part and that the service was so fast,"
he said. "I've already recommended RepairClinic.com to others."
Two
Tips to Try This Month
Enhance Fridge Efficiency
Here are a couple of things you can do to help keep your fridge
running efficiently:
Door seals
All refrigerator and freezer doors have a seal, a rubber-like gasket attached
to the door to keep cool air inside the refrigerator and warmer air out.
A magnet runs through it to help hold the door closed and create a tight
seal. If you suspect that the gasket is faulty, a quick way to check this
is to close the door on a dollar bill at various locations around the
door; the closed door should grip it fairly tightly. To ensure your door
closes properly, keep the gasket clean. A toothbrush and some soapy water
are usually enough to tackle this job. However, if the gasket is brittle
and cracked, you should replace it. PartDetective can guide you to the
right gasket for your refrigerator. Click
here.
Cooling Fan and condenser Coils
Make sure to keep the refrigerator cooling fan and the condenser coils free from dirt and dust to promote efficiency.
The fan is in the back of the unit; the coils are located underneath the refrigerator and are usually black and look
like a series of small tubes and "fins" connecting the tubes. Order a Refrigerator Condenser Brush to
help access and clean the outside of both units.
click
here.
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