Signs You Need a New Refrigerator
1. Too Much Condensation
If you have noticed that your fridge looks like it is sweating, especially when the weather is too hot, it might not be cooling properly. If you notice this happening, check the rubber sealing around your fridge door and notice whether there are water droplets, mould, or mildew. You can fix a little damage to the rubber sealing, but too much damage is best left to the professionals.
There may be signs of condensation inside your fridge too. This could be in form of too much frost. If you try changing your temperature settings and nothing changes, there is a good chance that the fridge needs repair. Failure to do the necessary repairs could mean your food will start getting ruined.
2. A Hot Motor
It is not uncommon to feel a little heat when you touch the back or sides of your fridge. However, if there is too much heat, you should take this as a sign that something is wrong. Your refrigerator has coils that are insulated to keep the heat from becoming too much. You should call a repair technician if you notice that the temperature is too high. The technician will assess the damage and determine whether you need to repair or replace the coils.
If your fridge is old and it is starting to show more signs of damage more often, then the smart choice would be to invest in a new one. It may cost you more to continue repairing a fridge that is not efficient and is running on its last legs.
3. Your Food is Spoiling Fast
When your food starts to smell or gets spoiled days before it normally would, it is a sign that your fridge or electric oven and hob are about to break down. You should also observe any beverage you put in the fridge that seems to take longer to get cold. If your beers do not get cold as fast, you may have a problem.
If your fridge is taking longer to cool your food or cannot maintain the temperature it used to before, then it is consuming more energy than it should. If you continue using it, you risk paying unnecessarily high energy bills. On top of that, you may be spending more money to replace the food that you have to throw out because the refrigerator is not preserving it.
4. Your Freezer is Too Frosty
One of the most common signs that your fridge is damaged and needs professional repair is when the freezer gets icy and frosty. It is normal for food to freeze, but you should not have to chisel it out of a mountain of ice. If you notice this happening, the first thing you need to do is defrost the freezer, then plug it back and monitor.
If the problem still presents in the freezer, you should consider getting a new fridge. Most new fridges have an automatic defrost feature, so this is becoming a less common issue. However, never ignore a freezer that resembles a winter wonderland even when you have an old unit. You should also consider buying a freezer to keep any foods you need frozen. It will save you money and solve the icy freezer situation.
5. Your Fridge is Old
A good refrigerator can last about ten to twenty years. It means that an older unit is more expensive to repair when it breaks down. Additionally, you will be spending more money on energy bills if you need to keep your food fresh for longer. If the cost of regular repairs outweighs the cost of buying a new appliance, it is best to look for a replacement.