Why Is My Refrigerator Compressor Failing?
Our refrigerators are necessary to everyday home life. With regards to the food we store and cook for our families, refrigerators are there to help keep items fresh and safe to eat. That is why it really is so important an unforeseen issue is resolved immediately after it arises by our Grand Rapids appliance repair professionals.
So, what does it mean in the event that you hear a strange noise via your fridge? In most cases, the likely culprit is the one and only the compressor. While this critical part lasts longer than most, it will eventually hand out and fail. Knowing why can help inform you on whether you are looking for a repair or a completely new refrigerator.
Continue reading for more information about what a refrigerator compressor does and a few reasons why it could be failing.
What Is a Compressor?
You can think about a refrigerator compressor as the heart of the device. Its primary job is to move the refrigerant, a chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing, through the whole system.
refrigerator repair consists of both a motor and a pump and is triggered to start out when the temperature in the refrigerator rises above its set point. Because cold air often leaks out and warmer air leaks into a fridge, the temperature will go above its set point and cause the compressor to activate. You likely do not think about your refrigerator`s compressor much, but it plays a big part in keeping it cool and preserving the food inside.
Old Age
Like anything else, compressors have a lifespan and will commence to fail. Normal deterioration over the course of a long time is expected. In the event that you start out with a higher quality compressor, you should have more time on your side before any problems show themselves.
When your fridge is old, so is your compressor. The expense of replacing a compressor is often high and in some cases, it is better to displace the appliance completely. Our appliance repair technicians can offer guidance on what the best move is for you and the method that you should proceed.
Generally, you should hear a gentle humming or buzzing noise from the compressor. If you hear any loud noises while it is running or perhaps a knocking or clunking noise when it shuts off, your compressor may be coming out.
Too Much or INADEQUATE Load
A minimal load on the refrigerator`s evaporator and a heavier load in the refrigerating chamber can both lead to issues with the compressor. Running an empty fridge for an extended time frame and having plenty of ice in the freezer chamber are oftentimes at fault.
This can result in the incoming refrigerant in the compressor being both in a vapor and liquid form which is a mixture it isn't designed to handle. Because of this, failure can occur. Alternatively, if there is an excessive amount of packed right into a fridge, especially hot liquids, it can cause how much refrigerant to increase as well as your compressor to work harder, thus overheating.
Dirty Condenser Coils
For some home models, compressor coils are located either on the trunk of or underneath your fridge. When there is a noticeable collection of dust and debris there, it could be why performance is less than desirable.
Dirty coils can make it much more problematic for the fridge itself to cool down. An accumulation of grime can also cause your compressor to work harder than usual which equates to overheating and premature wear. Our appliance repair technicians might help clean the area for you personally and see if it improves the compressor`s ability to perform.
Contaminated Refrigerant
Only two substances ought to be working during your fridge. Those are refrigerant and oil. If anything else enters in to the compressor, it is considered a contaminant and its own presence can create problems. One of our repair experts will have to try and flush the machine if this happens.
High Voltage Surge
A common cause of a higher voltage surge is a powerful lightning strike. Surges like this are damaging to kitchen appliances and result in a sudden spike in electrical current flowing through the fridge and its components. A lot of heat will then occur and essentially fry the inner parts of the appliance, just like the compressor and its own relay.