Is Your Refrigerator Running Too Often

Does it feel like your refrigerator is running too much? Does it feel like every time you enter the kitchen the compressor is running? You may be concerned that something is wrong, but that may not always be the case.

If you have a newer refrigerator, it comes with a higher speed compressor that is actually meant to be running 80 to 90 percent of the time. This actually makes your refrigerator more energy efficient because much of the energy use comes when the compressor turns on rather than when it is running. However, running this much is not so common with older refrigerators. There are a few things that will affect how long your refrigerator runs and when it kicks on. These factors include:

• How humid and hot your home is
• Loading a refrigerator with hot items or new groceries
• Having an empty freezer
• Blocking the air vents in the freezer
• Dirty condenser coils
• Damaged or dirty door gasket
• Interior light staying on when the door is closed

All of the above can result in the freezer and fresh food section to become warmer. When these areas become warmer, the compressor will kick on to keep them at the set temperature. This means if you feel like your refrigerator is kicking on too often and you have an older model, you will want to look into the above causes.

Sometimes increasing the efficiency of your appliance can be as simple as moving items away from the freezer vent so air can circulate or keeping the freezer section at least 3/4th of the way full to it holds cold better.

However, the most common cause of this issue is dirty condenser coils that cannot efficiently disperse heat. Yet, if you believe you have a problem, contact us today to see what Central Valley Appliance Repair can do to help.