As of late September 2026, the refrigerator is the one appliance nobody in Port St. Lucie thinks about once it’s plugged in. Here in Florida it runs around the clock, and my neighbors treat it like a rock that hums: it’s cold inside, so whatever is on the back must be fine too. Nobody pulls it out to look at the coils behind it or underneath, and I left mine alone the same way for years. I brought plenty of northern habits down from New Jersey, but I can’t blame this one on them.
The funny part is that the utility on my own electric bill spells the job out. FPL’s energy-saving tips page puts it in one line: “Vacuum or brush coils every six months to maintain peak efficiency.” It isn’t hidden. It just sits behind an appliance nobody wants to drag across the kitchen floor.
Have an appliance tech clean the fridge coils.Tell local appliance techs your refrigerator coils have never been cleaned, and pros who take the job call you to talk it over.“My refrigerator coils are dusty and have never been cleaned.”→Free for homeowners · Your number stays private
What the Department of Energy says
The U.S. Department of Energy’s consumer guide to kitchen appliances is just as plain: “Keep condenser coils clean on older models. Read the owner’s manual to learn how to safely clean coils.” Energy Star’s refrigerator page says the same for older models and adds one more thing: leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator. That is not a tip for the ambitious homeowner. It is ordinary upkeep, printed in a federal appliance guide.
Why a dusty coil matters
FPL gives the reason in one short sentence: dust and dirt on refrigerator coils make it work harder. HomeGuide’s repair-cost guide describes the same thing from the service side: when the condenser coils under the fridge clog with dust, it reduces the fridge’s cooling power…