Protect Your Investment: Refrigerators

The average refrigerator lasts 14 years or longer—plenty of time to forget the spoilage and mess that can happen if it simply stops working. While you have few DIY options if it starts acting up, these routine maintenance tips can maximize its life and minimize repair-related down time:

Keep refrigerator and freezer gaskets clean to keep cold air in. That and holding open the doors as little as possible—especially with a houseful of kids—can also take a big bite our of your utility bills, since refrigerators compete with dishwashers as the biggest energy hogs in the kitchen (and both of them vie with plasma TVs for the title of top energy user in the entire house).

Check for simple solutions before calling a pro. The owner's manual typically includes a troubleshooting section. If the manual covers multiple models, be sure to mark which is yours, along with the serial number, while paperwork from the purchase is still handy—often a challenge later. Also be sure to save that paperwork as long as you own the fridge.

Serial numbers can be found on the inside walls of the refrigerator or freezer compartments, attached to the cabinet door jambs, or behind the kick plate at the bottom of the unit.

Protect your warranty by calling the right person. If you need help and the fridge is still under warranty, be sure to contact a manufacturer-authorized repair service. Otherwise, work done within the warranty may not be covered. Have model and serial numbers ready when you call, and get receipts for all work performed.

A specific serial number can also help you determine the age of your fridge. One Illinois-based energy consultacy has created this Refrigerator Dating Page that lets you input your brand, serial and model number to learn its exact age.

See the "How we test refrigerators" video above to get more insight into your icebox's innards. Even more model-specific expertise and empathy is available in one of the 141 topic threads in the Refrigerators section of our of our Appliances Forum.  Many manufacturer Web sites also often host forums with advice on specific models.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Subscribers can see our complete advice recycling products that are beyond hope. Should you need to shop for a new refrigerator, start here.