Caring for your appliances in desert heat
Long, hot summers put extra strain on the appliances that keep things cool — and on the ones that generate heat of their own. A little preparation goes a long way.
Give refrigerators room to breathe
Refrigerators release heat through their condenser coils. When coils are dusty or the fridge is boxed in tightly, it has to work harder to stay cold. Clean the coils a couple of times a year and keep the clearance recommended in your owner’s manual.
Think twice about the garage fridge
Many refrigerators aren’t designed to run in a hot garage. If yours is out there, check the manufacturer’s rated operating temperature. A fridge running beyond its range can struggle to keep food safe and wear out sooner.
Keep wine coolers out of the sun
Wine coolers are built to hold a steady temperature, not to fight direct sunlight. Keep them away from windows and heat sources such as ovens, and leave space around the vents.
Clean the dryer vent
Clean the lint screen after every load and have the vent duct cleaned out regularly. A clogged vent makes drying slower, adds heat to your laundry room, and is a fire risk.
Check door seals
Heat can make worn gaskets on refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers more obvious. Close the door on a sheet of paper: if it slides out easily, the seal may need replacing.
A summer checklist
- Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils.
- Confirm appliances have clear airflow.
- Clean the dryer lint screen and vent.
- Check door seals on anything that keeps things cold.
