Helpful notes
Short, practical tips for Florida homes. These are general pointers, not a substitute for a scheduled visit on your job.
How it works
Follow the refrigerant around the loop, from compressor to coils and back, and see why defrost, ice makers, coils and door gaskets matter.
Read the guideSouthwest Florida heat loads up condensers. Keep a few inches of clearance behind and above the fridge when the cabinet allows. Vacuum dust from coils on a schedule you can stick to. A clean coil runs cooler and quieter.
Humidity and lint are a bad mix. Clear the dryer lint trap every load. Check the outdoor vent flap so it opens freely. If dry times get longer, the duct may be clogged. Do not ignore a hot dryer cabinet.
Before a named storm, unplug sensitive electronics if you can. After an outage, wait a few minutes before restarting the fridge so the compressor is not hit with a quick restart. If you smell gas at a range after an outage, leave the area and call your gas utility.
Replace refrigerator water filters on the maker schedule, or sooner if taste or flow drops. Ice makers slow down when the freezer is packed tight against the fill tube. Leave a little space so the arm and inlet can work.