Cleaning Refrigerator Condenser Coils

**NOTICE**
Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only.
Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

As the summer months approach and temperatures rise, customers may notice that their refrigerators will be running a lot longer than usual. Refrigerators may be warm, if not
hot to the touch. These symptoms may be caused by a dirty condenser or faulty condenser fan motor caused by a dirty condenser. We recommend checking the condition of the
condenser regardless of the customer complaint.

These types of issues don’t just happen in the summer months; in fact, they can happen at any time of the year especially when there are pets in the home. The condenser is part of the sealed system and is designed to expel heat from the refrigerator. We recommend that customers clean the condenser every 6 months. If you have pets, we recommend checking every other month since hair clings to the condenser.

To clean a condenser coil:
● Use a vacuum to clean. A brush also works but cannot remove all the dust; it will just move it around.
● If the buildup will not come off with a vacuum, use three towels to cover the front and sides of the bottom of the refrigerator.
(Ensure that you get the customer’s permission before attempting this more extreme measure.)
● Take compressed air and blow the dust from the back of the unit. The air is being pulled in from the front bottom of the unit.
● Some condensers can be accessed from the front, but the back will still need to be maintained.

By keeping the condenser clean, the unit will run more efficiently and the life of the refrigerator can be extended. Techs should always offer to clean the condenser on every job regardless if they are there for a different service call shows that the tech cares and is willing to offer above and beyond service.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for these valuable tips!