But just by devoting a small amount of time to some really quick and simple maintenance tasks, you'll be able to keep your fridge working better than ever for longer than you expected.
Read on for some of our top tips on keeping your fridge in great condition:
Cleaning condenser coils
If the condenser coils in your fridge are not cleaned regularly, the machine will have to work harder to keep food and drink cold and this increases the chances of a fault developing.
All you need to do to clean the condenser coils is remove the buildup of dust from the coil every three months or so, although if you have pets you might need to do this more regularly.
Use either a broom or a vacuum to get rid of that dust and get your coils working at their best.
Changing water filters
If you have a flash new modern fridge that comes equipped with a feature such as a water dispenser or an ice maker, you'll need to change the water filters on a regular basis.
This needs to be done around every six months, but check the manual for your fridge to see if this task should be tackled more or less regularly.
And if you think the cost of a new filter is something you can avoid, just think about all the water you drink coming through a dirty and old filter. Looks a bargain now, doesn't it?
Clean drip openings
A drip pan and drain hole are two of the most important parts of the fridge and if they become clogged and stop working, the fridge is not going to be nearly as effective as it should be.
To clean the drain hole and drip pans - a task you need to do every time you clean out your fridge ideally - just clear away any remaining particles of food and get the pan scrubbed until it's done.
Check the gaskets
Your fridge works by keeping cold air in and warm air out, so if your gaskets fail it won't be able to do this any more and will quickly become virtually useless in your kitchen.
To check the gaskets, ensure the seal on the door is as strong as it could be and inspect them closely to make sure there are no spots where it is wearing away.
There is an easy test to see if the seal on your fridge needs to be replaced and all you need is a £10 note, or even a piece of paper. Simply insert the note into the door and close it firmly. If you can pull it out with little resistance, the seal needs to be replaced.
While all of the above tips and tricks might seem fiddly and you may think you can get away without doing these little jobs, they can all extend your fridge's life, saving you money in the long run.
It's also worth considering the extra electricity a fridge will be using if it isn't working 100 per cent.
© Axonn 2014