Frequently frozen refrigerator components are not a sign of a refrigerator that’s functioning properly. A refrigerator is supposed to keep contents at a specified cold temperature in both the upper and lower compartments. But if the unit is repeatedly freezing contents in the lower refrigerator compartment, something’s wrong somewhere.
How It Keeps You Cool
A refrigerator doesn’t make coldness; it removes heat. Refrigerant circulating through the refrigerator coil inside the unit extracts heat from interior compartments. After a compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, the warm liquid flows into the outside coil on the rear of the unit, where heat extracted inside the refrigerator is released into the air. When heat energy is properly removed, what’s left behind inside refrigerator compartments are cold temperatures suitable for food storage.
What Can Go Wrong with Frozen Refrigerator Components?
A number of possible scenarios may culminate in frozen refrigerator components. Here’s a brief rundown of what may be going on:
- Wrong temperature settings. The thermostat dial in the refrigerator controls internal temperatures in refrigerator compartments. If it’s set too low, freezing may occur in the compartment where food is supposed to be cold — not frozen. Check the thermostat setting and make sure it coincides with the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Dust or dirt on coils. The external coils on the rear of the refrigerator often become dusty over time, making heat transfer less efficient and causing the refrigerator compressor to run extended cycles. This, in turn, may freeze items in the lower compartment and generate excessive ice accumulation in the upper freezer.
- Door gasket not sealing. The refrigerator door incorporates a gasket to keep outside air from entering the refrigerator compartment. If the gasket isn’t sealing properly, the infiltration of warm outside air may cause the system cycle to run overtime to compensate. Contents in the lower compartment may be frozen.
- Thermostat sensor is faulty. If the refrigerator temperature sensor is malfunctioning, the thermostat setting will not be accurate, and improper freezing may occur.
If frozen refrigerator components are an issue, call a professional appliance repair service like Plaza Appliance here in Yuma, AZ. For your indoor comfort heating or cooling call for professional service from the professionals at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
