Why Weather Matters for Your Appliances

Home appliances like refrigerators and freezers are typically designed for controlled indoor environments, but they can sometimes be exposed to outdoor elements. This is especially common in homes with the growing trend of outdoor living spaces, complete with high-end kitchens and entertainment areas.More commonly, homeowners have a second refrigerator or freezer in their garage, which is used for storing foods purchased in bulk, keeping beverages cold, or extra space during large gatherings.

Full-sized refrigerators or freezers designed specifically for outdoor use are uncommon; most outdoor refrigerators are either smaller, mobile, or under-counter style models that rarely exceed 36” in height. However, some major home appliance manufacturers now market full-size, “garage-ready” options. For example, Maytag’s garage-ready freezers will operate in temperatures ranging from 0 degrees F to 110 degrees F, have durable compressors, and thicker insulation. LG promotes a garage-ready, 18 cubic ft cold weather fridge.

Appliances placed in these locations are potentially exposed to extreme heat, freezing temperatures, and increased humidity, which can result in difficulty keeping foods cold or frozen, premature component failure, and inefficiency that drives up energy costs.

How Hot Weather Affects Refrigerators and Freezers

Poor Performance: You might notice that your fridge is not cold enough in hot weather. Similar to air conditioning units, refrigerators and freezers struggle to maintain their desired internal temperatures during the summer heat in a garage. The result is warmer internal temperatures and uneven cooling, which may reduce food freshness and encourage bacterial growth.

Part/Component Failures: When exposed to very hot temperatures, many components, such as condensers and compressors, endure more wear and tear and are more likely to fail prematurely and need replacement.

Excessive Utility Bills: The additional strain from excessive heat also progressively worsens efficiency and drives up your electricity costs. For example, estimates from ENERGY STAR indicate that a refrigerator’s efficiency declines by 22 to 25% when moved from a 70-degree room to an 80-degree room and between 45 to 50% when moved to a 90-degree room.

The Effects of Cold Weather on Refrigerators and Freezers

Ice Buildup on Refrigerator Coils: When exposed to moisture and freezing temperatures, the refrigerator coils and connected components may become covered with ice, which may prevent the unit from operating properly. Also, the fridge’s water lines may be frozen in cold weather.

Freezer Compressor Failure: The compressors on many freezers are on the exterior, which can cause the liquids that provide lubrication to thicken and result in damage to the compressor.

Malfunctioning Thermostat: Has your freezer stopped working in very cold weather? In freezing conditions, when the ambient (surrounding) temperature is too low, the freezer may not recognize the true internal temperature and fail to activate the cooling process.

Managing Humidity Levels

The humidity level in a space refers to the amount of moisture in the air. When humidity levels are excessive, refrigerators may develop condensation on the exterior, which promotes the development of mold and rust. Humidity might also reach the interior and cause the appliance’s compressor to exert energy to remove moisture constantly.

High humidity also causes frost to develop in freezers, which impedes airflow and causes freezer burn, resulting in dehydrated and less appetizing food.

Some of the best ways of limiting humidity include:

• Replacing a damaged door gasket (seal), which is allowing air entry
• Using a dehumidifier in the area
• Allowing a few inches of space between the appliance and walls to improve airflow and ventilation
• Not placing the fridge or freezer too close to dishwashers or washing machines

Common Weather-Related Refrigerator and Freezer Issues

Other common weather-related concerns include:

• Fridges or freezers perform poorly if exposed to direct sunlight or other heat sources
• If winter temperatures are problematic, consider buying a manufacturer or aftermarket heating device kit to warm the thermostat.
• Expect more temperature-related problems in poorly insulated garages
• Those who reside near a coast may experience appliance corrosion from the salty air
• Weather-related problems are exacerbated by maintenance failures such as not replacing filters or cleaning condenser coils

When to Call a Professional

There are many signs that it’s time to speak with a professional provider of refrigerator and freezer repair and maintenance services. Common examples include if your appliance is generating noises, seems to be “running” constantly, has a water leak, or regularly spoils food.

Choosing to perform do-it-yourself appliance repairs may also create safety concerns associated with electrical wiring and components or the chemicals used in refrigerants. A qualified professional will help to keep your refrigerator and freezer performing well and operating efficiently.

Protect Your Appliances from Weather Impacts with Mr. Appliance

Mr. Appliance^® is among the leading residential service providers in North America. Our properly trained service technicians will repair, maintain, and install superior-quality replacement parts for refrigerators or freezers manufactured by Bosch, Danby, Electrolux, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Maytag, LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and more. For comprehensive solutions to problems with refrigerators or freezers, contact us today.

This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mr. Appliance^® is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mr. Appliance for more information and a professional on-site assessment.