(Newswire.net — November 9, 2020) — Refrigerators are our ever-dependable kitchen buddies that can last a long time. But like any other home appliances, the fridge is subject to wear and tear, especially since they run 24/7. Sometimes it just suddenly stops working. Other times it will show subtle signs that suggest it will soon go out. Unfortunately, most of these signs are not easily recognizable. They can be very subtle that you won’t even realize them as a problem.
Early detection can help prevent costly repairs – and even replacement. The Puls’ 2019 National Appliance Repair Report estimates the average cost of refrigerator repair to be at around $242. Major refrigerator problems can even cost you as much as $2,000, just a little cheaper than having a new unit installed!
By recognizing repairing minor problems immediately, you can avoid them from blowing out into major refrigerator problems, which can be very expensive to fix. Not to mention, a malfunctioning fridge can cause your power bills to balloon and your foods to spoil. This makes it important to detect potential problems early.
Save yourself lots of money and time by knowing the top four signs of a refrigerator on the fritz.
The dreaded frost
Many homeowners think that frosting and condensation are a normal thing, but it’s not. Sweating and frosting are early signs that suggest something’s not right. Refrigerators are equipped with sensors or thermostat that helps achieve and maintain the desired temperature, thereby preventing frost and sweating. Problems with these components can cause the motor to malfunction. It can either fail to work or work excessively resulting in condensation inside the fridge or frosting on the door’s exterior or in the freezer. Typically, this is due to some minor problems that you can try to resolve.
Usually, the most common culprit is the rubber sealing around the fridge doors. If the magnetic gasket fails to tightly latch onto the frame, it’s time to replace the rubber seal. You can DIY replace the gasket using replacement kits available in the hardware store. If this remedy doesn’t fix the condensation, have a local appliance repairman check the fridge. Likewise, if you think the fridge’s door has sufficient seal but still with condensation, then you should consult an appliance technician.
Foods spoil faster than usual
Wondering why the foods in the fridge go bad much faster than usual? Or why it takes a longer time for a bottle of wine to chill? Check if your refrigerator is working properly. The refrigerator might be consuming a lot more energy to keep foods cold. Likewise, you might also be spending more on power bills.
First, check the appliance’s temperature setting. The fridge temperature should be set at or below 40° F (4° C) and the freezer should be 0° F (-18° C) for proper food storage. Manually check the internal temperature by using an appliance thermometer. Leave the thermometer inside the fridge for at least a minute. It should achieve the desired setting. If not, check for potential issues such as loose door seals or failed motor. This is often an early sign of other major issues.
Excessively hot motor
Although the refrigerator motor is expected to warm up while running, if it is excessively hot, it might be working doubly – and even at risk for overheating. The warmth coming from the back of the fridge is due to the unit’s ventilation system.
The coils are normally insulated which helps prevent it from producing extreme heat. Hence, an unusually hot fridge is a bad sign. The motor might be overheating or the coils need replacement. Contact a professional appliance technician to check for possible issues.
Unusual sounds
According to a specialist from Hartman’s appliance repair in Tampa, the refrigerator motor should not be running continuously at max speed. Once the temperature setting is achieved, the motor stops running, unless there is a change in temperature due to the door being opened. If the motor is making continuous sounds, you should have a certified technician come and check the unit. Likewise, if the fridge is producing loud, unusual noises, there might be some troubles with the appliance.
Lastly, your refrigerator is just old and inefficient. If your fridge is above 10 years old, you’ll soon max out its longevity. Thus, you can expect signs of wearing. Be aware of these signals so you can act fast – and possibly add some extra years to your fridge.
These are some of the subtlest signs that a fridge is going out. Is your fridge showing any of these signs? If so, better call an appliance repair technician now and get your unit checked now. Surely, you don’t want to wait for any major problems to crop up.