Whether at home or in the office, a refrigerator is an essential appliance that plays a crucial role in keeping our food fresh and our drinks cold. It’s an appliance we use every day, often without giving it much thought. But, like, all appliances, refrigerators have a limited lifespan, and they will need to be replaced at some point. This brings us to our question of the day: when is it time to replace the fridge? As expert commercial refrigeration service technicians, we’ll explore some of the signs that your refrigerator may be on its last legs and help you decide when it’s time to start shopping for a new one.
Age
The first sign that it is time to replace your fridge is its age. If your fridge is as old as your teenager, at about 10-15 years, it may be time to start thinking about a replacement. The older your fridge is, the more problems it will develop, like the following:
- Reduced energy efficiency which will begin to increase your energy bills
- Spoiled food due to the lack of consistent temperatures.
- Unusual noise such as clanking, buzzing, or humming.
If you notice these typical signs of age, you may want to start considering a new fridge. But first, consult a residential or commercial refrigeration service technician to see if there are any repairs that can be done to extend its life.
Frequent Repairs
Does it seem like you’ve been calling the repair tech about your fridge far too often lately? As your fridge gets older, it is expected that it will develop the need for repairs. These repairs will vary depending on the make and model of your fridge, but in general, you may experience the following issues:
- Compressor problems
- Worn-out evaporator fan motor
- Damaged door seals
- A broken or faulty thermostat
- Faulty, dirty, or clogged condenser coils
Energy Efficiency
You may need to consider replacing your fridge if you notice that despite all efforts on the part of the commercial refrigeration service to fix it, it still continues to use excess amounts of energy. Refrigerators with poor efficiency increase your energy bills. They are also harmful to the environment due to the overconsumption of energy. You will do yourself, your wallet, and the planet a huge favor by replacing that fridge sooner than later.
Strange Noises
Beyond being a general annoyance, weird sounds from a refrigerator indicate it may be on its last legs. Here are some common types of noises to expect and how they are caused:
- Buzzing: caused by a faulty compressor that is struggling to keep the fridge operating and is on the verge of failure
- Clicking: this noise means the compressor is trying to start but is failing to do so.
- Humming: caused by a faulty fan or fan motor that typically leads to spoiled food.
- Rattling: caused by a loose fan blade or condenser coils.
- Popping: this is a normal noise that indicates that the fridge is cooling down
If you hear any of the above concerning sounds (besides the popping), contact a commercial refrigeration service technician who will help troubleshoot its underlying cause.
Inconsistent Temperatures
Are you experiencing spoiled food in specific parts of the fridge? This may be due to inconsistent temperatures that are normally caused by a problem in the refrigerant coils or broken door seals. This issue is most common in older refrigerators. A repair service may be sufficient to restore the temperatures, but if this problem persists, you should consider replacing the refrigerator.
Capacity
Sometimes replacing a refrigerator is necessary simply because it isn’t big enough to accommodate your needs. Perhaps your kids are grown and require much more food than in earlier years. Maybe your business has also grown, requiring you to accommodate more staff or customers. These are both positive reasons to switch out your fridge for something bigger.
On the opposite side of this spectrum is also the possibility of needing to downsize the capacity of their fridge. Kids eventually move out to build their own lives, and with time, your family-size fridge may be too large for you. Downsizing at this point will be a good way to save money on energy bills in the long run.
Leading Commercial Refrigeration Services
Is your refrigerator in need of maintenance or repairs? If so, contact Doug’s Service Company for a quick resolution and restoration of all fridge-related problems at (985) 315-3061.
