Death of a Refrigerator

Our old refrigerator suffered multiple forms of discrimination and was found guilty of not �fitting in.� Ultimately, a sentence of hard labor in our garage became its fate. In a few short months, it died.

The temperature of a refrigerator should be regulated at a constant 34 degrees Fahrenheit with the freezer component running at a constant 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Any variations in these temperatures could indicate a problem occurring. These types of problems will not only affect the reliability of the refrigerator but can also be detrimental to a person's health. Refrigerated food needs to remain cool at a strictly designated temperature for the purpose of remaining 'good'. Otherwise you may find yourself with spoiled food and food poisoning: if you did not catch it in time.So how does a refrigerator keep this balanced temperature? The movement of gases from a high pressure area to a low pressure area causes a drop in temperature. On a refrigerator this is done through a coolant system made up of tubes and hoses that house the gas as well as a compressor to aide in movement. The compressor moves the gas through a series of coils and is distributed in a section of the freezer. It is then released through vents into the two areas. The compressor is one of the most common replacements needed on an appliance like this. It can wear out easily and should be replaced every so often.How did this happen? It all started one day when my wife said, �Honey, I want to show you something in the kitchen.� Apprehensively I arrived in the kitchen, and she started her discourse aimed at demeaning our existing refrigerator. First came, �It�s the wrong color and doesn�t match anything in our kitchen.� Then, �It�s not big enough to hold everything I need it too, especially with all the entertaining we do.� Lastly and with no less derision, she said, �its way too old to do the job any longer.�If the compressor begins to work less efficiently other parts on a refrigerator will soon begin to feel the stress and could also malfunction. All of these parts work as a system and thus, when one part is not up to par the others must work harder to make up for it. For example, there is a fan located in the freezer and refrigerator units that circulates the air while the coolant is lowering the temperature. It pushes hot air out of the compartments. If it is taking the compressor longer to cool the product, then the fan will be working longer and harder to remove the hot air so that the environment can remain stable. At an extended amount of time this could lead to the fan burning out.I sold the smaller beverage center and went back to the store, where I found what �we� wanted. I brought it home for the kitchen remodel contractor to install. I also stopped at the local hardware store to buy some earplugs just in case �Honey� came floating over the airwaves again.Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, September 2009

Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, September 2009

Author: Ronald Senn