Learned the hard way about Samsung fridge condenser coils

Last weekend I took on a Samsung fridge that wasn't cooling right in the back. Customer said they'd had it for 4 years and never cleaned the coils. When I pulled the bottom panel off, the lint and dust was packed in so thick I had to use a putty knife to scrape it out. Compressor was running hot enough to burn my hand. After a full cleanout and a new start relay from a parts house on Elm Street, it dropped to 38 degrees in about 2 hours. Has anyone found a good way to talk homeowners into doing yearly coil cleaning without sounding pushy?

3 comments

3 Comments

lopez.jana14d ago

Oh man, I totally get what you're saying but I see it a little different. Idk, I've found if you just show them the caked-on lint and explain how it makes the compressor work harder and die faster, most people will at least try to remember to do it themselves. I always offer to show them where the coils are and even give them a quick demo with a soft brush, and a lot of them are honestly grateful for the tip. Maybe it's just me but being upfront and not pushy about it has actually gotten me a few repeat customers who call me back for other stuff because they trust I'm not just trying to upsell them.

lopez.jana13d ago

Huh, yeah Joel's got a point. Most folks just zone out once you start talking about maintenance schedules. I've started just tacking a coil cleaning onto my first visit and telling them it's part of the install. They don't question it, and then I'll leave a little magnet on the fridge door with "change your water filter every 6 months" on the back. That way when they toss it six months later they might remember the coils under there too.

hayes.joel14d ago

Gonna have to disagree with the push for annual cleaning. Most people just want their fridge to work and won't remember to do it no matter how you ask. Better to just build the cleaning into your service call and charge for it, then they don't have to think about it.