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Listed below are some refrigerator repair and troubleshooting guidelines that can help you get a bit more from your refrigerator and keep it running like new.


Just like any appliance, refrigerator maintenance is vital to keeping it working efficiently. A lot of appliance maintenance chores are also necessary for essential safety and durability. This advice provided by the Princeton appliance repair guru is relevant to most makes and models of refrigerators.


Caution! Appliance repair and troubleshooting can be hazardous for the typical homeowner. Prevent threat of death or accidental injury by disconnecting the appliance prior to making repairs. Appliances may have sharp edges so be careful when working on the inside of any type of appliance. If in doubt, get in touch with a qualified appliance service expert for services.


The majority of household refrigerators operate the same. All come with a compressor, condenser, evaporator, capillary tube and a thermostat. Refrigerators capture warm air and turn it into cooler by changing the heat using vaporization concepts.


The compressor is really the hardest working part of the refrigerator and is influenced by the thermostat. It compresses refrigerant gas, causing it to warm and pressurize as it flows through the condenser coils to consume hot air and condense into a liquid.


The condenser coil is a system of tubes going through thin pieces of steel appearing like fins. The high-pressure gas from the compressor moves into the condenser coils and transforms to liquid as the conduits radiate heat from the coils by the fins attached to the tubes. The capillary tube regulates the compression of the refrigerant as it penetrates the coils.


As the refrigerant travels through the capillary tube the liquid heats to boiling then dissipates to emerge as a very cold, low-pressure gas. The cold gas streams through the evaporator coils to make it possible for the gas to take in warmth; therefore, cooling off the air moving past the coils. The fan inside the freezer area distributes the air to keep the temperature constant. The procedure goes on to repeat itself, governed by the thermostat, to always keep frozen foods at a consistent temperature to preserve freshness.


Modern-day refrigerators have a mechanized defrost device that includes three primary elements; the defrost timer, defrost thermostat and defrost heater. Every 6-12 hours, the defrost timer turns off the power to the compressor and switches on the defrost heater. As the ice liquefies, it filters through a tube into a receptacle where it evaporates using a fan blowing hot air over it.


Refrigerator and Freezer Troubleshooting Tips:


Refrigerator not operating at all: Look at the power supply. Make sure the outlet is functioning right by plugging another thing into it. Look at fuses or circuit breakers. If this is not the trouble, perhaps it’s a variety of things including the compressor, overload/relay, regulator or circuitry.


If the fuse or breaker is good, refer to the troubleshooting section of the manual. Do not toss this aside; browse through it to find out how to maintain your refrigerator before anything fails. Appliance guidebooks have preventative maintenance techniques and operating information that ought to be abided by to guarantee functionality. Get in touch with a skilled appliance service expert to detect and fix refrigerator issues if the manual fails to give you the remedy.


Food not frozen consistently: This is not an unusual issue. Before anything else, look at the temperature which should be somewhere between -10 F and +10 F. Refrigerator temperatures ought to be 36F to 45F. Readjust the temperature as necessary.


Consider reorganizing the food as temperature levels can vary in various compartments. Check for a damaged gasket by placing a piece of paper between the gasket and framework as you shut the door. If it slips out effortlessly, you are in need of a fresh door gasket.


Refrigerator Runs constantly: The thermostat regulates the compressor, shutting it off and on as necessary. The compressor will run until the temperature level is below the thermostat setting.


A brand-new refrigerator will run for a very long time, just about continuously, before it cools down enough to maintain the chosen temperature, about 24 hours. Always keep the refrigerator one half to two-thirds full to maintain a stable temperature. If you have a small-sized family and can not keep it full, fill the area with jugs of water. The cold things within will help sustain the temperature as the door is opened and closed.


Ensure the refrigerator has air allowance surrounding it. Refrigerators with a condenser coil on the back need allowance to emit heat away from the coils. Verify the light is going out when the door is closed because it may heat the interior of the refrigerator. Push the switch with the door open and if the light remains on, fix or replace the switch.


The refrigerator will run a bit more if the area is hot and humid or if you have recently placed a great deal of warm food into it. If the compressor does not turn off when the temperature is cold enough, it could need to be repaired. A refrigerator thermometer can help you ascertain an appropriate setting to keep food cold and keep the compressor from running too much.


If the problem is a low level of refrigerant, you will want to consult with an appliance service professional who is EPA certified to work on a sealed system. Venturing to deal with this issue yourself will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty.


Learn from the Appliance Master®!  See the Princeton appliance repair guru has to say about dishwasher repair and maintenance, and learn more about caring for all your home appliances!  Call 609-683-7171 to schedule appliance service.