One of the few home appliances that operates continually, day or night, to maintain the temperature of your food is your refrigerator. It is actually rather astonishing that refrigerators fail so infrequently when you consider how hard they have to work. In the unlikely event that your refrigerator breaks down, you might have to pay a hefty repair price in addition to the cost of replacing all the food you lost. Don't be afraid! You may learn everything you need to know about fixing your refrigerator and freezer yourself from this post. You might be shocked to hear that repairs are really pretty simple and simply need a little patience and appliance expertise. Let's begin with some fundamental knowledge.
A condenser coil and an evaporator coil are the two main parts of refrigerators and freezers. A compressor and a motor move a liquid coolant around these coils. The condenser cools the refrigerant liquid, which then travels to the evaporator. By coming into contact with the liquid-filled coil at the evaporator, the unit's air is cooled. The coil on the outside of a refrigerator or freezer is the condenser, while the coil on the interior is the evaporator. A compressor moves the coolant throughout the system.
Attention: Make sure a refrigerator or freezer is unplugged before performing any maintenance on it. Check the motor/compressor for a capacitor after unplugging the device; the capacitor is housed on top of the motor in a housing. Even when the power to the device is switched off, capacitors continue to store electricity. You must discharge the capacitor in a capacitor-style fridge or freezer before working on it, else you risk getting shocked severely.
Fixing the door
It may be an issue with the door if you notice that your refrigerator's compressor is operating continuously, squandering energy and shortening the lifespan of your equipment. A refrigerator's environment should never change, and it should always be able to maintain a constant temperature. Undoubtedly, we must frequently open our refrigerators. Here are some suggestions for maintaining the functionality of your doors and keeping heated air away from your food.
Servicing Defrost Timer
The defrost timer is probably broken if the compressor doesn't operate. This component is next to the compressor. Defrost timer evaluation:
Step 1: The refrigerator must first be unplugged.
Step 2: Cut the wires that are connected to the timer and timer motor. Back out two retention screws to free the timer from its mounting brackets.
Step 3: Use a VOM calibrated to the RX1 scale to test the defrost timer. One VOM probe should be attached to each defrost timer wire, not the motor wire, and the timer control screw shaft should be turned until it clicks. The meter will read zero if the defrost timer is working. The defrost timer must be repaired if the needle leaps. Change it out for a fresh example of the same kind.
Step 4: Connect the new defrost timer using the same connectors as the old one.
Clip one VOM probe to each motor wire and set the scale to RX100 to inspect the defrost timer motor. The motor is operating properly if the meter displays a reading of between 500 and 3,000 ohms. The timer motor is broken if the meter displays a reading of more than 3,000 ohms. Change it out for a fresh example of the same kind. The replacement motor should be attached in the same manner as the previous one.
Clearing the Drain Ports
Both the freezer and the refrigerator halves of the appliance have drain openings along their bottoms. When the appliance is defrosting, these holes may fill with dirt or ice and cause a drainage issue. Use a small piece of wire that will fit the holes to clear the ports. A toothpick shouldn't be used because the wood could break off and become stuck in the port. The drain ports are situated next to the defrost heater at the evaporator coils of some refrigerators. This kind of equipment requires extensive disassembly to be cleaned. You might be better off calling a professional service person to clean the ports if the refrigerator or freezer is of this sort.
Getting Professional Help
Selecting a refrigerator repairman near you involves several important steps to ensure that you receive reliable and efficient service. Here is a guide to help you in the process:
- Research and Referrals: Start by asking friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations. Personal referrals can provide trustworthy insights based on their experiences. In addition, conduct online research. Websites like Yelp, Angie's List, or Google Reviews can offer a plethora of customer reviews and ratings which will help you understand the quality of service provided by local repairmen.
- Check for Certification and Experience: Ensure that the repairman or the company they represent is certified and has considerable experience in refrigerator repair. Certification from a recognized authority in appliance repair signifies that the technician has the necessary skills and knowledge. Experience is crucial as it suggests a higher probability of accurately diagnosing and fixing the problem.
- Inquire About Warranty and Insurance: Choose a repair service that offers a warranty on parts and labor. This will give you peace of mind and protection in case the repair does not hold up. Also, make sure the repair service is insured to protect against any accidental damage during the repair process.
- Get an Estimate: Before finalizing a repairman, ask for an estimate of the total cost. This should include the breakdown of parts and labor. Compare estimates from different service providers to ensure you are getting a fair price. Be wary of extremely low quotes as they might signify subpar service.
- Check Availability and Response Time: Consider the repairman’s availability and response time, especially if you need urgent repairs. A good repair service should be able to respond promptly and accommodate your schedule.
- Evaluate Professionalism and Customer Service: Pay attention to how the repair service communicates with you. Professionalism and good customer service are indicative of the quality of work you can expect.
- Local Proximity: Choose a repairman who is located nearby
