Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist: 10 Things to Do Twice a Year

By Sandra Okafor | Appliance Maintenance | April 2026

A refrigerator runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That's roughly 8,760 hours of continuous operation, which makes it the hardest-working appliance in most homes. Yet most people never perform any maintenance on their fridge at all. The result is higher electricity bills, food spoiling faster than it should, and eventually a repair call that could have been avoided. The good news is that basic fridge maintenance takes less than an hour twice a year and needs no tools for most steps. If your refrigerator is already showing signs of trouble, like uneven cooling or unusual sounds, our team of refrigerator repair technicians serve Ottawa and beyond, and can diagnose the issue quickly. 

Why Refrigerator Maintenance Actually Matters

People replace refrigerators far sooner than necessary, often because of problems that were preventable. According to Energy.gov, a refrigerator with dirty condenser coils can use up to 25% more electricity than one with clean coils. Over the life of the appliance, that adds up to hundreds of dollars in wasted energy.

Beyond cost, a fridge that's not maintained properly struggles to hold consistent temperatures. That means food in warmer spots spoils faster, you throw out more groceries, and you might not even realise the compressor is working harder than it should. The average refrigerator lifespan is 10-17 years when well maintained. Without any care, that drops considerably.

Ottawa's climate adds a layer of complication. Cold winters mean the garage or basement fridge many households use as overflow storage faces wider ambient temperature swings. Fridges aren't designed to operate efficiently below about 10°C ambient temperature, so a second fridge in an unheated garage through a Canadian winter may underperform in ways that look like mechanical failure but are actually environmental.

1. Clean the Condenser Coils

Condenser coils release heat from the refrigerant as part of the cooling cycle. When they're coated in dust and pet hair, they can't release heat efficiently, which means the compressor runs longer and works harder. This is the single most impactful maintenance task you can do.

On most fridges, the coils are either behind the unit near the bottom back, or underneath the unit behind a snap-off grille at the front. Unplug the fridge first. Use a refrigerator coil brush (available at hardware stores for a few dollars) or the narrow attachment on your vacuum to remove dust. That's it. Takes five minutes. Do this every six months, or every three months if you have pets.

2. Check and Clean the Door Seals

The door gasket creates the airtight seal that keeps cold air in. Over time, food residue and grease accumulate in the gasket folds, and the rubber can crack or warp. A compromised seal means cold air leaks out constantly, and your compressor works non-stop trying to compensate.

Clean the gaskets with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry them thoroughly. To test the seal, close the door on a piece of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't making good contact at that spot. If the gasket is visibly cracked or torn, it needs replacing.

3. Check Your Temperature Settings

The ideal refrigerator temperature is 3-4°C. The freezer should sit at -18°C. Many people set their fridge colder than necessary thinking it preserves food better, but temperatures below 2°C can cause some produce to freeze and damage its cellular structure. Running unnecessarily cold also wastes energy.

Use a standalone refrigerator thermometer rather than trusting the built-in dial. Leave it in the middle of the fridge for 24 hours before reading. The dial settings on most fridges are relative, not absolute, so a thermometer is the only way to know the actual temperature.

The Full Maintenance Checklist

Here are all 10 items to work through every six months:

• 1. Clean condenser coils (vacuum or coil brush, unplugged)
• 2. Test door seals (paper test on all sides)
• 3. Clean door gaskets (warm soapy water, dry thoroughly)
• 4. Check temperatures (fridge 3-4°C, freezer -18°C, use a thermometer)
• 5. Clean drip pan (located under the fridge, collects condensation)
• 6. Clear the drain hole (inside the fridge, near the back wall, can clog with debris)
• 7. Check water line connections (if your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser)
• 8. Replace water filter (every 6 months or per manufacturer guidance)
• 9. Clean interior shelves and drawers (warm water and baking soda, then dry)
• 10. Check for unusual sounds or vibrations (note anything new and monitor)

Conclusion

A refrigerator is one of the most expensive appliances in your home and one of the most overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Running through this 10-item checklist twice a year takes less time than a single grocery run, costs almost nothing, and can add years to the appliance's life while keeping your energy bills down. If you've already noticed problems like inconsistent cooling, unusual sounds, or ice maker issues, the team at Home Appliance Care can bring it back to normal in no time!

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