This Saturday is a little different though. I've spent the morning cleaning out our refrigerator. About six months ago I noticed the refrigerator was hotter than it should be, so I vacuumed the coils and moved it away from the items on both sides to help it breath.
This past week I noticed it was running nonstop and several items in the freezer were thawed out. I pulled it out and vacuumed the coils again and noticed the back of the refrigerator was frozen in one section, so I unplugged it and took the salvageable items and put them into the chest freezer. I mostly use the chest freezer, so we did not lose much.
This refrigerator was bought in 1986 when we moved to Tennessee and so it is almost 30 years old, but it is slowly dying and will have to be replaced soon. I will not complain though as that is a long life for a refrigerator.
For now, the refrigerator section is keeping things cool enough and the freezer keeps water bottles very cool, but the ice cube trays are a mixture of ice and water. It is a just a matter of time before the refrigerator is kaput.
As a result, I've been shopping this week and making arrangements for a new refrigerator. And I've been cleaning the old one out today. We are planning on replacing the refrigerator this week. Like the old saying goes, In with the new, out with the old.
Belinda
~ Live within your means ~
Oh Belinda, I'm sorry you have to deal with this right now. What a pain, and expense! But what I have learned about you, though, is that you work at preparing yourself for emergencies. So I have confidence that you will be able to handle this, and manage the extra expense, well. Sending a prayer up, and a hug over.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lili. My Mom says that about me too. Back when I was in college struggling with an old computer, it would tear up and I'd complained to Mom and she would tell me she knew I could fix it. lol...thanks for the vote of confidence. :)
DeleteAlso, Belinda, your utility company may be offering a rebate on new, energy-efficient appliances right now. We received a check for $50 from our electricity provider, when we bought a new (floor model, got a discount) fridge.
DeleteThe other thing you may be eligible for is a "haul away/recycling" bonus from your utility company. Your fridge usually has to be in "working" condition, so it depends what they define as "working". Sometimes, it's just that it needs to be able to chill. Worth looking into with your electricity provider.
And we've kept our aging fridge, from 1977 (avocado green), in the garage, as a spare fridge/freezer. It still works, but we know that soon we'll be facing something similar to your situation. We've been saving to replace that one. The old refrigerators were built to last and last.
I did not realize that about the rebate, Lili. Thank you for that information.
DeleteI will be sure to look into that.I will look into the haul away/recycling program too to see if they have one. That would be great.
If they don't have a program, I will see if the place we buy it from will take it and if not, I will ask our local charity place. They take anything and everything and will come and pick this up I know. We donate a lot of things to them and they are great about coming to our house (or anyone's for that matter) and picking things up. :)
One day after our one-year warranty ended on our fridge, it stopped. Clunk. Called the fridge company. Serviceman came. Cost $65 for service call, but the fridge company replaced the defective part, which would have cost $600. Can we say, Whew?
ReplyDeleteWow, a definite Whew on the one. So glad they fixed it for you. That's great! :)
DeleteSorry for your troubles, but as you wrote, it's 30 years old, so owes you nothing. Try to find a scratch n dent or floor model, a plain freezer over fridge no bells/whistles. Bonus: your electric use will go down as new models are much more efficient.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that too about the electric, Carol. I'll be curious to see how much it goes down, which I'd day will be a lot. I'll definitely be shopping around to find a scratch and debt plain one. Thanks. :)
DeleteThat is a long time for a fridge. They used to make those things last, but it might not be as energy efficient. Three years ago, we bought a smaller white fridge at Sears for about $350 and have been very happy with it. It's just hubby and I now, so the size is good for a smaller family.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check at Sears too, Isabella. I haven't looked there yet. Thanks for the idea! :)
DeleteI have a 32 year old refrigerator in my basement that is still humming along. I'm sure it makes the electric meter spin. But for now it serves my purpose so why replace what isn't broken.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your search. Do check Sears. My daughter bought a nice little chest freezer there a couple of years ago for a good price.
I agree, Mary Lou, which is why we have never replaced this one. It was still humming along. :)
DeleteThanks for the heads up on Sears. You are the second one to mention it, so I will definitely look there as well.