Because he knows that this detail is often forgotten, this former repairman insists that his loved ones take a very specific action.
A former household appliance repairer, Olivier has spent more than twenty years dismantling, repairing and testing everyday appliances. He knows how they work down to the smallest detail and has seen, over the years, technological developments and the same mistakes repeated among individuals. Today, if he calls his daughter every four months to remind her of a specific action, it’s because he knows that this simple reflex can really reduce the electricity bill and that she won’t necessarily think about it.
Throughout his interventions, one device came up more often than the others in discussions on consumption: the refrigerator. Unlike the oven or washing machine, it works constantly, day and night. The slightest loss of efficiency therefore has a direct impact on the bill. Olivier has often noticed that fridges that appear to be in good condition consume more simply because their cooling system struggles to dissipate heat correctly.
The gesture he reminds his daughter of concerns the refrigerator vent. Every four months, he advises him to unplug the device and then carefully vacuum up the dust that accumulates at the ventilation openings. On a built-in model, like his, this grille is located at the front, at the bottom of the furniture, a place often neglected even though it conditions good air circulation. When dust settles there, heat is dissipated less efficiently, the compressor runs longer and electricity consumption increases. For non-built-in refrigerators, the principle remains the same, except that the grille is generally located at the back of the appliance and requires the same regular maintenance.
For Olivier, the effect on the bill is very real. A refrigerator runs constantly and, as soon as the compressor has to compensate for a lack of ventilation, it consumes more, almost without us noticing. Month after month, these few extra efforts end up being reflected in the amount to be paid. Over time, excessive heat also weakens internal components, increasing the risk of breakdown. In the end, the cost is not limited to a few extra kilowatt hours: it is also the prospect of a device having to be replaced sooner than necessary.
This is why he recommends carrying out this cleaning at least every four months, and even more often in particularly dusty environments. This rhythm makes it possible to limit clogging before it has an impact on performance and electricity consumption.
