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Seven Common Problems with Refrigerators

7 common refrigerator problems repair by DorMar

Today’s modern refrigerator offers us to ability to store and keep fresh a variety of meat, fruits, vegetables, and many other foods. It’s a modern marvel and allows us to feed our families with highly nutritious, fresh foods. When it’s working properly, it’s the bedrock of the average kitchen. Unfortunately, like any other home appliance, a refrigerator can have issues from time to time. Here we detail seven of the most common problems you can watch for.

1. Refrigerator Runs Constantly (Cycling)

One of the biggest issues we see in the field is a refrigerator that cycles or runs too often. The refrigerator must run to maintain the proper temperatures to keep food safe. A refrigerator that runs constantly can be noisy, but what’s even worse is the bad news when you get your energy bill. The refrigerator is one of the most power-hungry appliances in the modern home.

Did you know that dust or other kitchen debris can build up around the unit’s condenser coils, leading to this issue? You can check your refrigerator’s coils by unplugging the unit from the electrical outlet, then removing the bottom grille. We recommend you vacuum the coil area at least 2x a year to prevent any sort of buildup that can cause serious problems.

If the running problem persists after cleaning the coils, the cold setting on the refrigerator may be set to low. This can cause it to run constantly to maintain a very low temperature. Try adjusting the temperature control back to the factory setting to see if this affects the cycling. If the problems persist, consider contacting a professional appliance repair company to inspect the unit.

2. Water Leaking from Refrigerator

Another common issue is water leakage from the refrigerator. Two primary causes of this issue are a blocked defrost drain, or a clogged or frozen water supply line.

The refrigerator’s defrost drain can often be blocked by debris or food particles. It’s usually accessible from inside the freezer portion of the fridge. You’ll have to unplug the unit, let the freezer defrost using warm water, then manually remove any debris. On the back of the refrigerator, you’ll find the defrost drain hose – clean it with hot soapy water to remove any clogged debris.

If your refrigerator’s water supply line (for water and the ice maker) is frozen or clogged, unplug the unit and check that the shut off valve is closed. Check the supply line for any breaks or tear; replace the line if you should find any. If there is a clogged section that doesn’t appear to be caused by ice, definitely consult a professional refrigerator repair technician.

3. Buildup of Ice in the Freezer

Modern freezers aren’t quite like the old days, where they would build up ice and require defrosting. While the freezer is obviously the perfect spot for ice, it should not contain any significant ice buildup.

When you leave the freezer’s door open for too long, this raises the humidity levels inside the freezer and could leave to ice buildup. Be sure to close the door properly and ensure there are no foods blocking the door. A faulty seal is often a source for allowing excess moisture into the unit. Replacing the seal is an excellent cost-effective way to solve this issue quickly.

While the average do-it-yourselfer can easily replace the freezer seal, it’s best left to a professional appliance repairman.

4. Refrigerator Doesn’t Dispense Water

Most refrigerators these days include a built-in ice maker and water dispenser, providing an incredible convenience for our lives. There are a number of reasons why the water dispenser may not function properly.

Water flow can be interrupted by water frozen in the freezer door. This can be resolved by removing the tube and thawing the ice, allowing water to flow again.

It’s also possible the refrigerator’s water inlet valve. The valve works to supply the dispenser with water, but may be faulty. Low water pressure can also be an issue, not allowing the water to be pushed through the inlet valve.

This is definitely a repair that should be left to a professional appliance repair service like Dor-Mar.

5. Too-Warm Refrigerator

Refrigerators are designed to pretty much do one thing: stay cold. Part of that process involves dispersing the heat caused by the cooling process. Sometimes, the refrigerator is a bit warm, so it’s important to jump into action quickly to prevent serious damage to occur.

The condenser coils (again!) are usually at the root of this issue. Start by cleaning dust and debris from the coils (see above), then check to ensure the condenser fan motor is running. This can be a difficult issue to diagnose with special tools and equipment, and we recommend calling a professional service technician sooner than later.

6. Noisy Refrigerator

Ideally, a refrigerator is an appliance you shouldn’t be aware of. If it sounds like your refrigerator is fairly noisy, it’s more than likely a problem with one of its fans.

Most modern refrigerators include two fans: the condenser fan and an evaporator fan. The job of the condenser fan is to cool the refrigerator’s condenser coil – where the action is that actually causes the unit to cool. The evaporator fans draws air across the evaporator coils during compressor running. These fans often run simultaneously, making it difficult to determine which one of the fan motors is the noisy one. Inspect both fans to ensure there are no broken blades. Don’t forget to unplug the refrigerator before you inspect it.

7. Refrigerator Causing a High Energy Bill

If you notice an increase in your home’s energy usage (and bill), the source could potentially be the fridge. Refrigerators are generally one of the most energy-hungry appliances. Its operation can significantly impact your home’s total energy usage.

You can use an energy usage meter to measure your refrigerator’s energy usage, and compare it to manufacturer specifications. If you find the unit uses much more energy than the specifications indicate, it’s probably the cause of the increased energy bills. Older units that have to work harder to maintain cold temperatures see this frequently. While this issue may be able to be repaired, the refrigerator may just simply need to be replaced with a more modern, energy efficient unit.

DorMar Offers Reliable Refrigerator Repair Services for Your Home

A properly functioning, reliable refrigerator is the bedrock of the modern kitchen. The absolute best way to ensure it continues to perform at its peak is to have one of our friendly, experienced and knowledgeable service technicians pay a visit. At only $399 per year, our Appliance Maintenance Package makes keeping your appliances in tip-top shape simple and affordable.

Contact us by phone using one of our 7 local office numbers, or use the convenient service request form above to schedule an appointment today.

About Dor-Mar Heating & Air Conditioning

In continuous operation since 1962, our expertise goes beyond just the mechanicals of your HVAC system. We’re pretty handy when it comes to ductwork and system-wide maintenance as well. For top-notch service keeping your home’s heating and cooling system clean and your family breathing clean, filtered air, contact Dor-Mar today.

Our team offers a wide array of routine maintenance and emergency services for your heating and cooling system, allowing your family to breathe fresh, safe, clean air and be comfortable year-round. We also offer a number of add-ons to your HVAC equipment that can improve your home’s IAQ, such as electrostatic air filters, whole-house humidifiers, duct cleaning, Ultraviolet-C lighting systems, and more.

Schedule an appointment for HVAC system troubleshooting or maintenance with us today by using our online contact form, or call one of our seven neighborhood offices listed below. We pride ourselves on our customer-focused service, and our reviews show it.

NEWARK  740.345.6639 • COLUMBUS 614.238.6689 • DUBLIN 614.545.8939 • REYNOLDSBURG 614.365.1579 • WESTERVILLE 614.381.1540 • GROVE CITY 614.595.3098 • ZANESVILLE 740.454.2420

Dor-Mar…Your Climate Hero!

WE ARE CENTRAL OHIO HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

In continuous operation since 1962, our expertise goes beyond just the mechanicals of your HVAC system. We’re pretty handy when it comes to ductwork and system-wide maintenance as well. For top-notch service keeping your home’s heating and cooling system clean and your family breathing clean, filtered air, contact Dor-Mar today.

Our team offers a wide array of routine maintenance and emergency services for your heating and cooling system, allowing your family to breathe fresh, safe, clean air and be comfortable year-round. We also offer a number of add-ons to your HVAC equipment that can improve your home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), such as electrostatic air filters, whole-house humidifiers, duct cleaning, Ultraviolet-C lighting systems, and more.

Schedule an appointment for HVAC system troubleshooting or maintenance with us today by using our online contact form, or call one of local offices listed below. We pride ourselves on our customer-focused service, and our reviews show it.

Dor-Mar…Your Climate Hero!

Steven Brewer<br/>HVAC Expert & Owner

Steven Brewer
HVAC Expert & Owner

I started in the HVAC business as a young man, with my father putting me in crawl spaces to run ductwork while on summer vacation from school; I began full time in our family HVAC business at the age of 19. I obtained my state commercial HVAC license at 25. I'm married with three kids, and I love boating, fishing and hunting.

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