Caring For Your Refrigerator's Compressor

While you may think of your refrigerator as a magical box that keeps your food cold, the truth is that it is a well-oiled machine must constantly operate in order to do its job. Like any machine, your refrigerator is built up of several different components which must work together in order to complete the refrigeration cycle over and over again throughout the day.

Perhaps none of these components is more important than the compressor. The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator, similar to the engine of a car. Like a car engine, a refrigerator compressor consists of a piston and a crankshaft. As the piston moves up and down the cylinder, it moves refrigerant through the unit, which is essential to keeping a cool temperature.

The key to keeping your refrigerator running efficiently is by maintaining a healthy compressor. The compressor is the most expensive piece of your refrigerator; if it breaks down, you will likely need to hit the appliance store and buy a brand new model.

Use these tips to keep your compressor in good health for years to come:

• Allow for proper ventilation. The refrigerator works by removing heat from the inside. This heat must have a place to go, so your refrigerator releases it through vents in the back. If your refrigerator is placed too closely to the wall or its condenser coils are coated in dust, it hurts the efficiency of the refrigerator and forces the compressor to work harder. Allow for adequate ventilation by keeping at least four inches of space on all sides of your refrigerator and vacuuming the condenser coils every six months.
• Keep your refrigerator away from heat sources. This includes heat-generating appliances such as your stove, and even out of direct sunlight if your kitchen provides the flexibility to do so. These things can warm up your refrigerator, which is working to keep cold. The added heat results in extra work for the compressor to maintain a cool temperature.
• Minimize opening of the refrigerator door. Every time you open your refrigerator door, cold air escapes and warm air enters. Standing in front of an open refrigerator blankly staring for food to eat (we've all done it) can release a fridge-full of cold air. When making a recipe that calls for multiple refrigerated items, try to remove everything from your refrigerator in one trip to minimize the amount of time that the door is opened.

If your refrigerator is malfunctioning, it could be due to a variety of reasons. New York residents can call on Speedy Subzero for fast, reliable repairs that can be completed for a fraction of the cost of a new refrigerator. We are on-call 24/7/365 and can provide one-hour emergency service, call us any time at 866-782-9376 for more information.