5 Signs You Need A New Refrigerator

1. Your Fridge Is More Than 10 Years Old

A refrigerator can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. The older your unit is, the more it may cost to repair it. Eventually the cost of repairs will start to outweigh the cost of a replacement.

If you constantly repair your fridge which is over 10 years old, you probably need to replace it. This is an obvious sign that it can end up at any time. You may think you’re needlessly spending money, but if you consider the cost-savings of buying a more energy-efficient fridge as well as how much you won’t spend on repairs, you’ll quickly realize that this is a wise investment.

2. Excessive Condensation

If your fridge looks as though it’s sweating in the middle of a heat wave, the problem might be that it’s not cooling properly. If you notice this, you should immediately analyze the rubber sealing around the door to see if there are any water droplets or signs of mildew or mold. Depending on how bad the sealing may be, you could potentially fix it on your own.

You may also notice signs of condensation inside your fridge as well. If so, this typically means your temperature setting isn’t operating as it should. If the problem persists long enough, there’s a good chance the inaccurate temperature will start ruining your food.

3. Your Food Is Rapidly Spoiling

Another sign that your fridge is about to breakdown, is when you notice your food start to smell or spoil. Or, if you put a six-pack of beer in the fridge, and notice that it’s taking longer than usual to get cold.

A fridge that takes longer to cool your food or is unable to maintain the temperatures it is supposed to, is using more energy than it should. A gross waste of energy, really. This not only means you’re spending more on your energy bills than you should, but you’re also wasting money on any food you have to throw out due to your faltering refrigerator.

4. The Motor’s Running Hot

Feeling a warmer temperature change whenever you put your hand to the back of your refrigerator is not uncommon. However, feeling excessive amounts of heat is an obvious sign that something is not right within your fridge. The coils in the back of your fridge are insulated, which should keep you from feeling too much heat.

If you notice this in your refrigerator, it would be wise to call a repair technician to inspect your coils. Depending on the situation and the problem at hand, replacing the coils could be an option for you to consider.

However, if you have an old fridge, especially one that’s showing other signs it’s fading, it may be a better investment to buy a new fridge, then to continue repairing a less-efficient one on its last legs.

 5. Your Freezer Has Become a Winter Wonderland

One of the most common signs you may notice, is that your freezer is starting to resemble an iceberg. While you obviously want a freezer to keep your food in its intended frozen state, it’s not normal for you to have to chisel ice off just so you can reach your bag of peas.

If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you should do is defrost the freezer. Once you have done this, plug it back in and monitor how it acts. If the problem continues to arise, then it may be time to consider getting a new refrigerator. Since many newer units have an automatic defrosting feature, this problem is becoming less common. But nonetheless, it’s a problem that needs to be taken care of as soon as you possible no matter how old or new your fridge is.

Another possible solution to consider, is to buy an extra freezer to store your frozen necessities. Not only will this solve your continual iceberg problem, but it can save you lots of money in the long run.