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Summer And The Death Of Your Refrigerator
By Donald Grummett, Fri Dec 9th
More refrigerators fail during the summer than any other timeof the year. It is a fact. But why? Because: just like humans, a household refrigerator can suffer apremature death due to the heat and humidity. A domestic refrigerator is designed to operate in a maximumambient temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Exceed thistemperature and the refrigerator begins struggling. Even withroom temperatures below this limit strange things can happeninside the refrigeration system Things that can lead to itsdemise.
Firstly, it will begin having trouble removing the heatgenerated inside the refrigeration system itself. If the coolingcomponents start failing the internal pressures become erratic.Consequently, the temperature in the food compartments may alsobecome erratic, leaving the food warmer than usual. Next, the compressor will begin to overheat since it cannotdissipate its own heat fast enough. If too hot the compressorcan actually shut itself off in the hope of avoidingdestruction. This off period could last minutes or hours,causing the machine to operate very strangely. If this scenario continues the compressor can overheat until therefrigerant gas passing through it actually starts to decompose.This will produce highly corrosive acids that can destroy thecompressor and lead to a condition known as, a burnout. Earlystages of a burnout will make the compressor inefficient. Thecompressor valves, which act much like your heart valves, willnot close properly and further compound the problem. Forexample, the machine appears to be cold inside, but will notfully freeze the food. Overall the refrigerator will act lazy. I use the analogy that since a compressor works like a heartthen an inefficient one would be equivalent to a person withheart disease. That is, everything works well if the patientsimply walks on level ground (like the refrigerator on a coolday), but ask the patient to run up a flight of stairs andthey’ll collapse. The heart is unable to pump efficiently enoughto do the work required (like the refrigerator on a hot humidday). So if an erratic refrigerator is left un-serviced it canin effect have a heart attack. Compounding the overworked refrigerator syndrome is the humanfactor. The hotter the temperature the more often people willopen the refrigerator. Plus, every time the refrigerator isopened to get a beverage the cold air pours out onto the floor,while hot moist air invades the interior to replace the cold.This makes it run
more often, resulting in additional work forthe compressor. Even the defrost system becomes fatigued in hot weather. All theextra moisture invading the refrigerator cabinet has to beremoved during the defrost cycle. Additionally, with hot weathercomes high humidity, which stresses the automatic defrostingcomponents to their limit. Lastly, age is a factor. Older refrigerators are more affectedby the heat than new ones. Just like humans a refrigeratorsparts become worn with age. The gaskets don’t seal as well, thecompressor valves get weak, the insulation sags, and the motorsbegin to slow down. Any refrigerator more than 10 years old isat risk. Those approaching 20 years are in imminent dangerduring a heat wave. Can you do anything to stop your refrigerator from dying? Verylittle, but here are a few suggestions: ·Don’t use as an air conditioner ... You may laugh, but this iscommon with the elderly. (A chair left sitting in front of therefrigerator is a sure sign) ·Don’t overload defrost system ... Keep containers of water orjuice sealed. Open containers will increase the moisturedeposited onto the evaporator coil, causing the compressor torun longer. ·Too many Ice cubes ... Once ice cubes are frozen put into asealed container. Refrigerator designed to handle 2 ice cubetrays, not 10. As above this can overload system. ·Doors sealing ... Gaskets full of holes or cracks allow warmair to enter. ·Don’t block air circulation ... Remove bags, brooms, trays,etc, from the space between outside of refrigerator andsurrounding walls. Refrigerator must be allowed to circulate airaround itself. Remember, your first line of defense against prematurerefrigerator death is to be aware of any erratic or unusualsymptoms. If caught early enough the compressor may only beinefficient rather than burnt out. One positive about aninefficient compressor is that it can often give partialrefrigeration for days or weeks before it finally fails. Timeenough to call the service company. Simply getting to them intime has saved many refrigerators. If all the above are okay then the last suggestion is to simplykeep your fingers crossed. Because, if Mother Nature decides tosend us the full strength of her heat wave that is all that willsave your refrigerator from joining the others in the greatlandfill in the sky.
About the author:Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All rights reserved. In thetrade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, andtechnical trainer. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn moreinvaluable information about your household appliances.
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