Refrigerator and Freezer Conditions
Below
are several refrigerator repair and troubleshooting suggestions to help you get
more from the refrigerator and keep it functioning like new.
Just
like any appliance, refrigerator care is necessary to keeping it functioning
properly. Many appliance maintenance jobs are also important for essential
safety and longevity. This important information is relevant to most brands and
varieties of refrigerators.
Alert!
Appliance repair and troubleshooting could be unsafe for the common homeowner.
Lower chance of death or harm by disconnecting the appliance prior to making
repairs. Appliances may have sharp edges so use caution when doing work inside
any type of appliance. When you are doubtful, call a qualified appliance
service expert for guidance.
Most
residential refrigerators operate the same. All come with a compressor,
condenser, evaporator, capillary tube and a thermostat. Refrigerators take
warmer air and make it cooler by changing the heat using vaporization
processes.
The
compressor is definitely the hardest working area of the refrigerator and is
influenced by the thermostat. It compresses refrigerant gas, and causes it to
warm up and pressurize as it passes through the condenser coils to deplete
warmth and condense it into a liquid.
The
condenser coil is a device of tubes running through thin pieces of steel that
look like fins. The high-pressure gas from the compressor flows into the
condenser coils and converts to liquid as the cylinders radiate heat from the
coils by the fins attached to the tubes. The capillary tube controls the
compression of the refrigerant as it goes into the coils.
As
the refrigerant travels through the capillary tube the liquid boils and then it
dissipates to become a cool, low-pressure gas. The cold gas circulates through
the evaporator coils to allow the gas to consume hot air; thus, cooling the air
moving past the coils. The fan within the freezer area disperses the air to
always keep the temperature steady. The operation carries on to repeat itself,
guided by the thermostat, to help keep frozen foods at a constant temperature
to sustain quality.
Present
day refrigerators have an automatic defrost technology that includes three
major components; the defrost timer, defrost thermostat and defrost heater.
Every 6-12 hours, the defrost timer cuts off the power to the compressor and
switches on the defrost heater. As the ice liquefies, it filters through a hose
into a pan where it evaporates using a fan blowing warm air across it.
Refrigerator
and Freezer Troubleshooting Tips:
Refrigerator
not running at all: Inspect the power supply. Ensure the outlet is working
properly by plugging something else into it. Take a look at fuses or circuit
breakers. If this is not the problem, it may be a variety of items like the
compressor, overload/relay, thermostat or wiring.
If
the power supply is ok, check the troubleshooting guide of the reference book.
Do not throw this aside; go over it to find out exactly how to take care of
your refrigerator before anything fails. Appliance handbooks have preventative
maintenance advice and operating information that need to be followed to ensure
operation. Get in touch with a competent appliance service expert to analyze
and handle refrigerator problems if the manual fails to give you the remedy.
Food
does not freeze steadily: This is not an unique issue. Initially, verify the
temperature which ought to be between -10 F and +10 F. Refrigerator
temperatures need to be 36F to 45F. Regulate the temperature as necessary.
Try
rearranging the food as temperatures can fluctuate in different compartments.
Check for a warn gasket by putting a sheet of paper in between the gasket and
framework then shut the door. If it pulls out effortlessly, you really need a
new door gasket.
Refrigerator
Runs far too much: The thermostat controls the compressor, switching it off and
on as necessary. The compressor will continue to run until the temperature
level is lower than the thermostat setting.
A
brand-new refrigerator will run a very long time, almost continuously, before
it cools down enough to maintain the desired temperature, approximately 24
hours. Try to keep the refrigerator at least half to two-thirds full to help
maintain a steady temperature level. If you have a smaller family and are not
able to keep it full, fill the area with bottles of water. The cold items
within will help maintain the temperature as the door gets opened and closed.
Make
certain the refrigerator has air clearance all around it. Refrigerators having
a condenser coil on the back need space to radiate heat away from the coils.
Make sure the light is shutting off when the door is closed as it can warm the
interior of the refrigerator. Push the switch by having the door open and if
the light remains on, fix or change out the switch.
The
refrigerator will likely run a bit more if the space is hot and humid or if you
recently placed a lot of warm food into it. If the compressor won't shut off
when the temperature is cold enough, it may have to be repaired or replaced. A
refrigerator thermometer can help you identify an ideal setting to keep food
cold and protect the compressor from running too much.
If
the issue is low levels of refrigerant, you will need to get in touch with an
appliance repair specialist who is EPA certified to work with a sealed device.
Pursuing to repair this condition yourself will likely void the manufacturer's
warranty so call the Washington Appliance Master at 908-689-5922 to arrange service by a licensed and insured
technician.