In This Issue

Featured Items

Check Out Our Icemaker Kits

Everything You Need to Connect Your Refrigerator to Your Water Supply

Universal Keep Your Refrigerator Running More Efficiently with this Condenser Brush

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."

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

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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