How long do refrigerators last? You may be asking yourself this question if you notice any of the below signs.When you’re ready to replace your old refrigerator, there are a number of factors that will impact your decision. These include how old the unit is, how much wear and tear it has undergone, and what’s needed in terms of space and storage capacity to suit the demands of your household.
6 Signs You Need to Replace Your Fridge
Before you go shopping for a new refrigerator you may want to consider if that investment is worth it at this point in time. After all, a high-quality refrigerator isn’t a small purchase, they get expensive. There are multiple factors and signs you should be mindful of when considering how long refrigerators last.
1. Food Spoils Quickly
No one wants to open their refrigerator to find that the food they just bought has prematurely gone bad. Food safety standards dictate that you should keep your fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, about 5 Celsius. If food is spoiling earlier than the expiration date, it is cause for concern. The problem arises when the temperature adjustment knob malfunctions, causing the temperature inside the fridge to go up. Before scheduling a repair or replacing your fridge, check to see that the knob isn’t the issue.
2. Condensation
One of the most obvious signs that you need to replace your refrigerator is if you see an unusual amount of condensation accumulating on the outside surface of the refrigerator or around the edges of the door. Excessive ‘sweating’ would be an indicator that your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly or that the sealing around the freezer/refrigerator door has worn out. If you notice mildew developing on the sealing that may be something you could fix, but if the refrigerator is simply not holding a consistent temperature, that may be a larger problem.
3. Overheating Motor
Since refrigerators are typically the workhorses of any bustling household it isn’t uncommon for them to run a fever when they are packed to the brim with food, especially during the holidays. But if you notice an excessive amount of heat coming from your refrigerator when you put your hand on the sides of the rear of the unit, you should call a refrigerator repair technician to inspect the coils and possibly replace them before the unit is irreversibly damaged.
4. Your Refrigerator is More Than 10 Years Old
Depending on the quality of the fridge when you purchased it, they typically can last anywhere from 10-20 years. If you are noticing issues with your refrigerator you should weigh the costs of a new refrigerator versus how much it would cost over time for periodic repairs. It may be a better investment to shell out the money for a new refrigerator.
5. Your Freezer is Accumulating a Layer of Frost
Is your freezer looking more like the inside of an igloo these days? If this is the case, the first thing you should do is defrost your freezer and chip away all of the frost and ice. Once you’ve done that, plug the unit back in and use it as you normally would. If in a week the layer of ice and frost returns, you’ll need to contact a refrigerator repair technician or think about replacing the unit entirely.
6. Buzzing Noises Coming From Fridge
Any large appliance will emit some sort of noise, that isn’t a cause for alarm. But if you notice an unusual noise that has started to come from your refrigerator like a buzzing noise or a rattling, it may be your fridge trying to tell you that it’s struggling. To troubleshoot this issue, unplug your refrigerator for about 15-30 mins. Be sure not to frequently open the refrigerator or freezer doors while it is turned off so you can retain as much of the cool air inside. Then plug it back in and see if the sound returns. If it does, it could mean that your refrigerator is dying and needs to be replaced.
Contact Wilshire Refrigeration For Sub-Zero Fridge Repair
Wilshire Refrigeration is factory certified to service Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove, and other leading-brand appliances. Our team is trained in all the latest repair methods and equipment. For questions about your appliance and to schedule repairs, call us today at 800-427-3653.
