The refrigerator is likely the most vital appliance in your home, working diligently around the clock, to keep your food fresh and your home life easy. However, like all machines, refrigerators have an expected lifespan, and there are indicators of failure. They may start off as subtle, but can later become annoying and expensive.
You might lose your investment in good food, pay higher utility bills than expected or in the worst case scenario, have a complete failure of your appliance. Below, we detail how to tell if your refrigerator may need to retire in the foreseeable future.
Food Spoils Early
If milk curdles before it expires or leftovers spoil in one or two days, your fridge is probably not cooling properly (generally up to a safe temperature of 30° to 40°F in the fridge, and 0°F in the freezer). A few suspects are incorrect thermostat settings, compressor issues, or worm seals allowing cool air to escape.
Try measuring the temperature in several locations within the refrigerator with a refrigerator thermometer to determine if the temperature is consistent and if it is sufficiently cool. If your food is spoiling early, call a professional and have them diagnose how your refrigerator is working. If you receive timely refrigerator repair New Orleans, you could save your food.
Too Much Frost in the Freezer
It is fine for older models to have a bit of frost, but too much frost on the walls or shelves is not good. Ice or frost on your frozen food is also a warming sign that something is wrong. Your defrost heater, thermostat, or defrost timer might be faulty.
If this issue happens, the best thing to do is to try and defrost the freezer and start the appliance again. If the same issue happens again in a short time, you probably have a faulty appliance part. A technician can check your appliances, install a new part, and reset your defrost cycle.
Moisture on the Outside of the Fridge
If you notice moisture beads forming on the outside of your fridge door, or around the gasket, that is an indicator that something is wrong. You may have an efficiency issue with the cooling system on the inside of the fridge, or the door seals have worn out and allowed warm, humid air to enter the fridge.
Check the seals of the door, by shutting the door on a piece of paper. If the paper comes out easily, your seals need to be replaced. Check your kitchen humidity, and be willing to consider repairs if you still have too much moisture with normal fixes.
Raising Energy Costs
If you see a sudden jump in your electric bill, especially if there have been no changes in your house power usage. Your refrigerator may be working much harder to keep cool. Older and broken refrigerators tend to use significantly more energy.
Look closely at your bill. See if there are unexplained increases. Check the refrigerators energy usage. If the refrigerator is the problem, see if it is cost effective to repair or replace.
The Fridge is Over 10 Years Old
Most refrigerators operate well for 10 to 15 years depending on usage, brand, and care. If yours is over 10 years old and not working right, it may not be worth spending more money. Consider the repair cost compared to the unit’s age; if the repair is greater than half the cost of a new energy-efficient model, buying new may save you money in the long run. If the refrigerator is still in reasonably good shape, a good technician may be able to do small repairs to extend the life of the unit.
The Back of the Fridge Feels Hot
There’s nothing unusual about the back of a fridge being warm since there are condenser coils there. However, if it is extremely hot, that might be a sign of potential compressor or cooling fan issue. It could mean that there is dust and debris build up around the coils. Unplug the fridge, and vacuum or brush the coils. If it is still hot, or getting hotter, that could be a sign that the compressor has failed and may require professional assistance.
The Fridge Motor Runs Non-Stop or Makes Unusual Noises
If your refrigerator is running non-stop, or it makes loud humming, buzzing or even clicking noises, it is not running properly. A refrigerator motor should cycle to maintain the proper temperature in the appliance. It should not click on and off all the while. A refrigerator that runs continuously may indicate that you have failed thermostats, dirty condenser coils, or refrigerant issues. First, clean the condenser coils and see if the issue is resolved. If the noise continues, or the fridge appears to never turn off, it is time to contact a repair technician.
Endnote
The sooner you can identify these warning signs, the less money you will waste due to unnecessary food loss, wasted energy, and repair costs. A professional diagnostic and service can offer some clarity that will help you make an informed choice on how to move forward.
If you are in the New Orleans area, and are experiencing any of the issues we discussed, don’t wait for the full catastrophic failure to call a trusted refrigerator repair New Orleans provider and get your kitchen back in working order.
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