When a refrigerator’s thermostat fails, the entire refrigerator may cease to function. The thermostat modulates the compressor to keep the temperature cold. Otherwise, you gamble having to deal with a breakdown and food deterioration.
Whether you have any difficulties like these, the first thing you should do is inspect the defrost thermostat to see if it’s the source of the problem. Fixing a defrost thermostat is typically best left to the pros. Still, if you like to give it a try, you can if you have a basic understanding of how refrigerators function and can understand some easy guidelines for checking your freezer.
What Exactly is a Defrost Thermostat?
A defrost thermostat is a temperature-controlling mechanism found in a refrigerator’s automated defrost system. The defrost system comprises “a timer, a thermostat, and a heater.”
Defrost thermostats may be found in various refrigeration equipment and processes, from household appliances to corporate cold storage warehouses. Frost on evaporators provides a layer of insulation that affects the system’s effectiveness, resulting in higher operating expenses to maintain temperatures or the risk of harm to items that aren’t kept at the proper temperature.
How Do You Know If Your Defrost Thermostat Is Broken?
Here are the signs that might help you identify that your defrost thermostat is not working. However, we advise you to call a professional to do the job for you because certain thermostat parts contain dangerous materials; consider if you want to repair it yourself.
The Unusually Cold Refrigerator
A broken thermostat might cause food to freeze within the fridge or its compartments. Get an appliance thermometer or raise the temperature a degree or two to check the thermostat. After that, wait a day to see if the food has defrosted. However, this issue frequently necessitates the assistance of a repair professional and the replacement of your broken thermostat.
The Freezer Section Is Freezing
If this happens, you should switch the defrost timer to manual defrost. The freezer area should warm up automatically as a result of this. If the freezer hasn’t started to defrost after 20 minutes, it’s time to eliminate the back wall and inspect the thermostat. It needs to be attached to the evaporator coil.
Troubleshooting Guidance:
- Restart the freezer and set the timer for 10 minutes. If the freezer begins to melt after this period, examine the thermostat since it is almost certainly the source of the problem.
- Using a multimeter, examine the voltage consistency of your thermostat.
- Turn on the thermostat and link your probes to it. You should notice an Ohms setting of 0 when the thermostat has a constant reading. Anything beyond that, you’ve got a faulty thermostat.
- If the thermostat fails the Ohms test, you should look at the wires at the rear. Remove the wires by prying off the connections using a couple of thin pliers.
- Examine the connections. If the metal isn’t rusted, wipe any dirt away with paper. You may inspect the cables for problems as they’re being removed.
- Check the temperature. Locate the little mercury vial that gauges the temperature by opening the thermostat. It would need to be reset if it becomes out of alignment.
- Twist the screw on the mercury bolt with your pliers until the connection falls out. After that, set aside for about 10 minutes.
- Close the connection by turning the bolt in the opposite direction. Your mercury vial is reset at this point.
- Replace the freezer’s thermostat and retest the defrost timer. If the freezer refuses to defrost, you may need to change the thermostat entirely or see a professional.
The Refrigerator Is Insufficiently Cool
The thermostat maintains a constant temperature to cool foods and drinks. If objects do not appear as cool as they should, adjust the refrigerator thermostat by one degree. After that, turn on or restart. However, if it doesn’t, there’s a technical problem. Disconnect the appliance before resetting the thermostat. Consult a refrigerator repair professional familiar with your refrigerator’s model if this does not address the issue.
Troubleshooting Refrigerator Temperature Issues
Thermostat malfunctions are not necessarily the source of temperature troubles in your refrigerator. These troubleshooting strategies can assist you in determining why your refrigerator is warm and determining the appropriate course of action:
Examine the desired set temperature
It should be 38°F for machines with an electronically controlled panel. If your refrigerator has a manual dial, set it between 4 and 6 (1, the warmest and10 the coolest).
Clean the condenser
If you haven’t cleaned the condenser coils in the last six months, dirt may have accumulated on them, impacting refrigerator performance and reliability. Regularly cleaning the fridge’s interior also helps maintain the appliance and avoid bacteria growth.
Carefully check the refrigerator door
A broken seal or gasket can allow cold air to leak, making the inside warmer and potentially compromising the quality and safety of food. Examine the fan, radiator, compressor, and evaporator for damage.
Things You Should Know When Replacing Your Thermostat
Keep these points in mind if the inspection reveals that the thermostat needs to be replaced. Make a list of your refrigerator’s model, serial number, and brand code. It’s critical to get the correct model specified for your refrigerator since it may be incompatible and fail to function correctly.
Also, after replacing the thermostat, keep an eye there for the first day. If the thermostat appears to malfunction, such as lingering cold or becoming excessively hot, or just failing to control the temperature properly, call the service center and disconnect your fridge until service experts arrive. If the thermostat has already been set incorrectly, don’t attempt to repair it since it might be harmful.
If the refrigerator seems to malfunction, don’t leave it running with the thermostat placed manually!
If you’ve done all of this and your refrigerator is still warm, call Pegasus Appliance Repair to figure out and fix it.
How to Extend the Life of the Defrost Thermostat?
The refrigerator’s potential lifetime is pretty broad. The longer yours lasts, the better you can avoid replacing it. Follow these refrigerator maintenance instructions to extend the life of your equipment.
Cleaned the Door Seal
A loose or damaged gasket (or that is caked with muck) does not seal firmly. It consumes energy and forces the refrigerator to work harder, reducing its life.
Make a practice of cleaning the gasket twice a year with warm water to eliminate any residue. After that, inspect the seal for breaks and replace it if necessary. Additionally, close the door with a $1 note. If it slides about or slips out, the door is not sealing correctly. It’s time to replace the gasket.
Allow it to breathe
Refrigerators operate when there is ventilation on all sides. ‘Zero-clearance and front vented fridge are exceptions to this rule. Unless your refrigerator is branded, avoid placing big, heavy things immediately on top of it, and provide one inch of room between neighboring worktops and cabinets. Appropriate air circulation might help avoid unneeded breakdowns.
Coil Cleaning
Refrigeration is made possible by condenser coils packed with refrigerant. However, as the coils get clogged with dust and filth, they cease to function effectively. It increases your energy expenditures and may prematurely wear out the refrigerator compressor.
To start cleaning the coils:
- Unplug the refrigerator.
- Detach the grille from the refrigerator’s bottom front.
- Verify that the coils are present.
- If so, wash them using the brush attachment on your vacuum.
If you cannot see the coils, they are placed on the back of the fridge, and you will need to lift the device away from the wall to reach and clean them.
Adjust the Refrigerator’s Level
Refrigerators are fussy about their placement and want to be perfectly level. It may not shut if yours rocks back and forth, resulting in a stressed motor and condensation entry. Put a scale on top of the fridge to ensure it is level. Attempt to knock it off balance by shaking it back and forth. If this is the issue, there is a simple solution.
Refrigerator makers recognize that kitchen floors are not always flawless, which is why most refrigerators have adjustable feet. If your appliance seems to be crooked, rotate the adjustable feet till the refrigerator is secure and completely level.
Refrigerator Repair Appointment
Simply because your refrigerator breaks down does not indicate it’s necessary to replace it. Often, a quick repair is all that is required to get back online. Contact Pegasus Appliance Repair immediately to schedule fridge repair. As long as your refrigerator is not nearing the end of its useful life, we’ll ensure that it continues to operate for another few years.
FAQ
How Long Will Your Refrigerator Last?
Are you the owner of a refrigerator that you’ve had for years? Are you wondering how much longer it will last? Learn the average lifetime of a fridge to begin planning when the moment for appliance replacement approaches. You may even include ideas to ensure that your refrigerator continues to operate efficiently for as long as feasible.
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Refrigerator?
Standard refrigerators typically live between 10 and 18 years, with a life expectancy of 14 years. Compact refrigerators have a short lifetime, ranging from four to twelve years with an average of eight years.