Defy fridge repair in Githurai.

The condenser coil releases the heat the fridge removes from the food. On older fridges it is a grille on the back; on newer ones it may be a coil under the fridge behind a kick plate. Dust and kitchen grease form a blanket on it, which traps the heat.

Unplug the fridge before you start. Use a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to lift the dust, then a damp cloth for grease. Clean the area around the compressor too, and remove dust from the fan if there is one. Do it every few months, or more often in a dusty kitchen.

A clean coil can make a noticeable difference in how long the compressor runs and how much power the fridge uses. It is one of the cheapest and most effective bits of maintenance you can do yourself.

The door seal, or gasket, keeps warm air out. Over time it hardens, cracks or loses its magnetic grip. A bad seal causes frost, water inside, longer running and a higher bill.

Try the paper test: close the door on a sheet of paper and pull it out. If it slides out with no resistance, the seal is not gripping there. Test several points around the door. Look for splits, hardened sections and mould along the folds.

Wiping the seal with warm soapy water sometimes restores the grip, because grease and sugar stop it sealing. If cleaning does not help, the seal needs replacing. A new seal must be fitted straight, and the door adjusted so it closes evenly, or the new seal will not fix the problem.

A good technician explains the fault before changing parts. They test, tell you what failed and why, and give you the price before work starts. They show you the old part if you ask. They are honest when a repair does not make sense.

Be wary of anyone who names a fault over the phone without seeing the fridge, who insists on a gas refill without finding a leak or who will not give a price until the work is done. Ask whether the visit fee is separate and what it covers.

It also helps if the technician works on fridges every day. Fridges are a sealed cooling system with their own tools, gases and habits, and a general handyman may not have the equipment to vacuum and charge a system properly.

Whenever possible, keep a fridge upright. The compressor oil sits in a defined place, and laying the fridge down can let it run into the pipes. If a fridge has to travel on its side, let it stand upright for several hours before you switch it on again.

Empty it and defrost the freezer the day before, so no water leaks on the way out. Secure the doors with tape and protect the corners. Plan the route, because large fridges are heavy and awkward on stairs, so tell your movers the size and the floor.

Level the fridge in its new position, leave a gap behind and above it and wait a short time before switching it on. We also help with installation and relocation, including bringing in a new fridge and removing the old one.

A fridge runs all day and every day, so small improvements add up. Set the fridge between about three and five degrees and the freezer at minus eighteen. Colder settings use more power without protecting the food any better.

Keep the condenser clean, leave air space around the fridge and keep it away from the cooker and direct sun. Check the door seal and do not leave the door open while you decide what to eat.

A full fridge holds its cold better than an empty one, so a few bottles of water on the shelves help in a fridge that is mostly empty. Do not overpack it, though, because the air must still move. If a fridge is very old and the compressor is struggling, a replacement may repay itself in power, and we will tell you honestly if that applies.