Refrigerators are one of the most common appliances in any home. They come in various sizes and styles, but all have one common purpose: to keep food cold.
In the past, refrigerators were large, energy-inefficient machines that constantly ran, wasting valuable electricity.
Today’s refrigerators are much more efficient, but many still run unnecessarily often.
If you have a refrigerator that runs every 20 minutes or less, it is a waste of energy and a sign that something is wrong with your fridge.
Possible causes of a refrigerator running too often
Refrigerators are one of the most common household appliances. They keep our food cold and help to preserve it. However, if your refrigerator runs too often, there could be a problem.
Here are some of the possible causes of a refrigerator running too often.
- Improper sizing
- The fridge is not put in the right place
- Defective compressor or thermostat
- Incorrect refrigerant charge
- Dirty condenser coils
- Closing refrigerator door too hard
Improper sizing
If a refrigerator is not properly sized for the home, it can run too often and cause the homeowner to lose money on their electricity bill.
When buying a refrigerator, it is important to measure the space where the fridge will be placed.
The fridge should not be too big or too small for the space.
If it is too big, it will use more energy than necessary and cost the homeowner more money on their electric bill.
If it is too small, it will not be able to hold enough food and will have to run more often than necessary.
It is also important to consider how much food the family normally eats when choosing a refrigerator size.
The fridge is not put in the right place
It’s important to place your refrigerator in the right spot in your home. If it’s not in the right spot, your fridge may run too often, wasting energy and money.
The best place for your fridge is in a cool, dry area with plenty of ventilation.
If your fridge is near a heat source, like a stove or oven, it will run more often to keep cool.
Make sure there’s plenty of space around your fridge for air to circulate and keep the doors open when possible to allow air to circulate inside.
Defective compressor or thermostat
If your refrigerator runs too often, it could be due to a defective compressor or thermostat.
The compressor is the part of the refrigerator that pumps the refrigerant around to keep everything cold.
If it’s defective, the refrigerator will have to work harder to keep things cold and run more often.
The thermostat is responsible for telling the compressor when to turn on and off, so if it’s defective, the compressor will stay on longer than it should, and the fridge will run more often.
If you think either of these might be the problem, call a technician to take a look.
Incorrect refrigerant charge
Refrigerators work best when they have the correct amount of refrigerant.
If there is too much or too little, the fridge will have to work harder to keep things cold, leading to it running more often than necessary.
A technician can charge a refrigerator with the right amount of refrigerant during a service call.
If you’re having problems with your fridge running too often, be sure to have a professional look at it to ensure everything is as it should be.
Dirty condenser coils
Your refrigerator must work harder than necessary to keep things cold when its dirty condenser coils are not doing their job.
Dust, dirt, and other debris can build up on the coils over time, making them less effective at transferring heat. It forces the compressor to run for longer periods, wearing it out prematurely and increasing your energy costs.
To keep your coils clean and your refrigerator running efficiently, be sure to vacuum them regularly.
You can also purchase a coil cleaning brush or spray to help dislodge any built-up dirt or debris.
If you’re uncomfortable cleaning the coils yourself, call a professional to do it for you.
Closing refrigerator door too hard
It’s happened to all of us. You’re reaching for a cold drink in the fridge, and as you pull the door open, you accidentally give it a hard slam.
You hear the compressor kick on, and you silently curse yourself for being so careless.
It turns out that slamming the fridge door can cause the compressor to run more often than necessary, which can increase your energy bill.
In fact, according to the Department of Energy, slamming the fridge door can cause the compressor to run for an extra five minutes each day. That may not seem like a lot, but it can add over time.
If you’re struggling to close the fridge door gently, try putting something heavy on it, like a pot or a pan.
That will help keep it closed without causing any damage.
Conclusion
Refrigerators are one of the appliances in a household that people take for granted. They run constantly, and people do not think about them until they stop working.
If a refrigerator runs every 20 minutes or less, something is probably wrong with it and must be fixed.
The problem could be something simple, like a dirty filter, or something more serious, like a motor going out.
Either way, it is important to investigate the cause of the problem and fix it as soon as possible to save energy and money.