The Simple Fridge Cleaning Task That Could Help Cut Your Energy Bill

Energy waste can be found all over the average home, from phantom power to overworked appliances. While the impact of just one of these problems is minimal and may only cost you a few cents extra on each bill, the combined cost from every source of energy waste can add up until you are essentially throwing away money.

One such source of waste is dirty refrigerator coils. Dirt, hair, and other debris that coat the coils can drive up the cost to operate the refrigerator, forcing you to pay more for what you likely assume is a passive operation with minimal change in energy usage. The good news is that this issue is easy to prevent with regular cleaning. We consulted an appliance expert to find out exactly how often to clean your refrigerator coils to save on energy bills.

How Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Affects Efficiency

While a little dust isn’t going to have a big impact on the operation and efficiency of your refrigerator, hair, dirt, and other debris can build up over time, creating a layer of grime that clings to the coils, which can reduce the efficiency of the appliance by as much as 25 percent.

“Condenser coils release the heat removed from inside your fridge. When they get covered in dust, pet hair, or kitchen grime, they can’t do their job efficiently. That forces the compressor to work harder, which not only drives up your energy bill but can shorten the life of the appliance,” explains Amy Chernoff, appliance expert and vice president of marketing at AJ Madison.

Cleaning the refrigerator coils regularly helps the fridge maintain the appropriate temperature with minimal effort, rather than forcing the appliance to work harder for the same results. Staying on top of this simple cleaning task can help prevent overheating and motor failure, which are two of the most common reasons people end up replacing their fridge prematurely.

How Often to Clean Refrigerator Coils

Knowing when to clean the refrigerator coils is important; otherwise, you may leave the coils for too long, leading to increased energy bills and inefficient operations that could cause premature wear and costly repairs. Clean the refrigerator coils “at least twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall. If you have pets that shed or live in a high-dust household, you may want to check and clean them more frequently, around every three to four months,” says Chernoff.

When you are deciding on the frequency with which to clean the refrigerator coils, Chernoff recommends keeping a few key factors in mind:

• Pets: Pet hair is notorious for clogging coils, especially if the coils are located on the bottom of the unit.
• High-Traffic Kitchens: If your refrigerator is near the stove or in an open-concept space, it may collect more airborne grease and dust.
• Older Models: Older refrigerators often have coils in exposed places, like the back or underneath, where they collect more debris.
• Flooring Type: Homes with carpeting near the fridge tend to see more buildup, especially in bottom-coil models.

How to Clean Refrigerator Coils

Keeping the refrigerator coils clean is relatively easy, provided you tackle this task about twice a year or as frequently as once every three to four months for homes with pets, nearby carpeting, high-traffic kitchens, or older refrigerator models. Chernoff recommends these steps to clean your refrigerator coils and keep the fridge working efficiently for years to come.

1. Unplug the refrigerator for safety.
2. Locate the coils. They’re either behind the unit or beneath it, depending on the model.
3. Use a coil cleaning brush or the brush attachment on a vacuum to gently remove dust and debris.
4. For stubborn buildup, use a dry cloth or compressed air to loosen particles.
5. Plug the unit back in once everything is cleaned and clear.

Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Refrigerator’s Coils

Dirty refrigerator coils can increase your energy bills and shorten the life span of the refrigerator. The dirt and debris on the coils act as an insulator, forcing the refrigerator to work harder to achieve the same results. If you don’t have a regular cleaning schedule for your refrigerator coils, it’s essential to be aware of the signs that may indicate you need to clean them. Here are signs it’s time to clean your refrigerator coils:

• The motor is running constantly or sounds louder than usual.
• The fridge or freezer isn’t staying cold enough.
• Your energy bills have gone up unexpectedly.
• The exterior sides of the fridge feel hot to the touch.
• You see visible dust buildup near the base or rear of the unit.