Has your refrigerator reached the end of its life?
It’s easy to take your refrigerator for granted. The dependable appliance rarely malfunctions. However, when it does, it can leave you scrambling for a quick fix to prevent the food inside from spoiling. Unfortunately, as your fridge ages, you are often left wondering whether or not repairing the malfunction is cost-effective. Below, we have highlighted 3 malfunctions that can signal an older refrigerator is beginning to deteriorate.
A Constantly Running Refrigerator
Most refrigerators give off a quiet buzz when operating. That sound grows louder when the temperature in your appliance rises and the motor and compressor kicks on to bring it back down. Once the refrigerator reaches the proper temperature, the motor and compressor shut off, and the sound level returns to a soft hum. Unfortunately, if the noise coming from your appliance is louder than normal and never seems to decrease, you are most likely dealing with a malfunctioning fridge. A constantly running motor or compressor may indicate your refrigerator is either unable to maintain the set temperature or it is struggling to dispense heat from the compressor. The expertise of an appliance repair professional will help you determine whether it is worthwhile to fix the malfunction or if replacing the appliance is wiser, due to its age.
Your food is spoiling
Food spoiling at a more rapid rate can signal a problem with your refrigerator’s ability to maintain a set temperature. If you’re having this problem, first check your appliance’s thermostat to ensure it is set to at least 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you confirm the temp is correct, you’ll want to place a thermometer in your refrigerator to test whether it actually reaches 35 degrees. Leaving the thermometer in for a couple of days and checking it sporadically will tell you if your appliance is able to maintain a proper temperature or if it is having consistency problems.
Before you panic and call an appliance repair technician, take a look at the refrigerator’s door seal. A damaged door seal can cause your refrigerator to lose cool air. If this is the case, you can easily replace the seal yourself, however, if the door seal is not the problem, you may be looking at a more serious issue, including a fridge at the end of its life. A refrigerator repair technician can tell you why your refrigerator is malfunctioning and whether repairing it or replacing it is the right choice.
Your refrigerator is hot to the touch
While the back of your refrigerator may feel a bit warm when you touch it, it shouldn’t feel unreasonably warm or even hot. If your appliance is radiating abnormal amounts of heat, you could be dealing with a number of issues. For one, you may need to put more space between your refrigerator and the wall. When there is little to no space, the heat removed from the appliance won’t have room to properly dissipate, meaning the hot air will build up around your fridge causing the outside to feel uncommonly warm. Dirty condenser coils are another problem that can lead to a hot refrigerator. Luckily, a good cleaning should resolve the problem. If neither of these solutions works for your refrigerator, and your appliance is on the older side, it may be time to go shopping for a new one. However, if you have a newer fridge and it is overheating, a call to an appliance repair technician is highly recommended.
Weighing the cost between repairing an older refrigerator and replacing it is never an easy choice. Fortunately, you don’t need to make that decision on your own. At SoBellas Home Services our highly trained refrigerator repair technicians can help you decide which choice is best for your situation. If your fridge is on the fritz, please contact us for local appliance repair today and we’ll be happy to diagnose and repair the malfunction.
Crew