How to Maintain Your Refrigerator in Winnipeg — 7 Tips to Extend Its Life

Your refrigerator runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — making it the hardest-working appliance in your Winnipeg home. With proper maintenance, a good fridge should last 12–18 years. Neglect it, and you could be looking at a costly breakdown or early replacement. Here are 7 maintenance tips from the technicians at Appliance Repair World.

1. Clean the Condenser Coils Every 6 Months

The condenser coils are located either at the back or underneath your fridge. Over time, they accumulate dust and pet hair, forcing the compressor to work harder. This raises your energy bill and shortens the compressor’s life. Unplug the fridge, vacuum the coils with a brush attachment, and you’re done. This single task can extend your fridge’s life by years.

2. Check the Door Seals Regularly

A worn or cracked door gasket lets warm air into the fridge, causing the compressor to run constantly and warm air to reach your food. Test your seal by closing the door on a piece of paper — you should feel resistance when pulling it out. If the paper slides freely, your seal needs replacing. Appliance Repair World replaces door gaskets on all major brands in Winnipeg.

3. Set the Right Temperatures

The fridge compartment should be set between 2–4°C and the freezer at -18°C. Temperatures that are too high allow bacteria to grow. Temperatures that are too low waste energy and can freeze certain foods. Many Winnipeg homeowners set their freezers lower than necessary during winter — this wastes energy without any benefit.

4. Don’t Overpack the Fridge

Overstuffing blocks the internal air vents and prevents cold air from circulating properly. This creates warm spots and makes the compressor work overtime. Leave space around items so cold air can flow freely.

5. Defrost the Freezer if It Needs It

If you have a manual-defrost freezer, defrost it when frost buildup reaches about 1 cm. Excessive frost reduces efficiency and can stress the freezer’s components. Most modern fridges auto-defrost, but if your auto-defrost system fails, frost will build up quickly — a common repair we handle in Winnipeg.

6. Clean the Drain Pan and Defrost Drain

Water from the auto-defrost cycle collects in a drain pan beneath the fridge and evaporates. Over time, the pan and drain can develop mold and odors — and a blocked defrost drain causes water to pool inside the fridge. Clean the drain pan every few months and pour a little warm water down the defrost drain to keep it clear.

7. Listen for Changes in Sound

Your fridge makes a gentle hum — that’s normal. What’s not normal is loud clicking, banging, rattling, or a compressor that runs constantly without cycling off. These are early warning signs that something needs attention. Catching a small problem early is almost always cheaper than waiting for a complete breakdown.

When to Call Appliance Repair World in Winnipeg

If your fridge is not cooling properly, making unusual noises, leaking water, or the ice maker has stopped working — call Appliance Repair World at 431-887-3090. We offer same-day service across Winnipeg and surrounding areas, and we carry the most common refrigerator parts on every service call.