There are many home appliances that we are guilty of taking full advantage of them. The primary home appliance we use without a second thought is our refrigerators.
While these handy kitchen devices are quite useful, there are telling signs that arise warranting a new refrigerator. The reasons behind needing a new refrigerator really do vary and knowing them is crucial! So what are 13 telling signs that you need a new refrigerator!?
- It is becoming way too noisy!
- It has lost its attractive luster.
- It is entirely too small.
- It is way too big.
- Something may need to be replaced.
- It has become too expensive to keep running.
- You're moving.
- It is simply an energy hog.
- You want to upgrade to a newer model.
- Condensation has become a problem.
- It is not maintaining its internal temperature.
- There's ice build-up in the freezer.
- The motor seems to be overheating.
The above list is not meant to be worrisome! Rather it is meant to be a guide into the world of refrigerators and how to tell when it is time to start shopping for something new.
Below is a better breakdown of these telling signs to better assess if any of them apply to your particular refrigerator situation!
1. It is becoming way too noisy!
There is nothing more annoying than an appliance on the fritz. Usually, a noisy refrigerator can indicate a larger problem. These problems can include things like a failing compressor fan, a faulty defroster timer, or even a clogged condenser fan.
When any (or sometimes all of these) of these problems arise, the noise chimes in quite suddenly. It may be subtle at first but eventually, the sound can become quite unbearable.
While it is possible to address each of these issues in an attempt to reduce or fix the noise, the fix does not always solve the problem permanently.
When attempts to clear debris from a plugged up condenser fan has run its limit, along with other ways to reduce noise, it is simply time to throw in the towel and hit the market up in search of a new refrigerator. There is nothing more favorable than a peaceful kitchen!
2. It has lost its attractive luster.
Let's face it; older models of refrigerators can be quite awful looking. This is usually due to oddly colored exteriors like pale beige or olive greens. While older models can be known for their stronghold operating power, surpassing 18 years sometimes, that is not always enough.
Sometimes the outer appearance matters to people. This leads to the desire to get something a bit more attractive looking. In today's modern world, refrigerators are known for classic stainless-steel exteriors.
The stainless-steel exterior has been a popular choice since the late 1990s. They are great choices due to their ability to blend into any kitchen decor or theme. They may a perfect fit for some people, however, not everyone enjoys the stainless-steel look.
They can be difficult to keep clean as they do become smudged quickly with fingerprints. For these people, a classic white refrigerator is an excellent choice. White is another universal color for any kitchen decor or theme.
3. It is entirely too small.
The average size of a refrigerator varies based on the style of the appliance. Overall, the size of a refrigerator with a freezer on the top typically ranges upwards of 36in wide, up to 70in in height, and usually no more than 33in deep.
This is the most common style of refrigerator type for some people, so using these dimensions is as close to "average" as one can get. While this doesn't seem too bad for some people, it can become too small.
Life is ever-changing and the needs of people change. Sometimes a standard or average-sized refrigerator just won't cut it for some families or people. While most shelves in a fridge can be moved around to accommodate for more space but sometimes only so much can be done.
y is not enough anymore, it may be time to find another refrigerator. More specifically today, there are many models of refrigerators on the market. These options really open doors to finding a larger alternative to provide a more spacious option!
4. It is way too big.
It is common for a refrigerator to be too be small, it can also be entirely too large as well. Once again, family needs do change and sometimes families get smaller.
On the other side of it, sometimes too much space just is not fitting for the needs of someone either. Smaller fridges do have their advantages. This is particularly true for people who only buy groceries week to week rather than in bulk.
Having a smaller refrigerator in the case of this buying pattern is really suitable. There is no sense in having a large fridge for a week's worth of food.
5. Something may need to be replaced.
Even with regular maintenance (which is always recommended for any household appliance!), refrigerators may still need something replaced.
Once again, common issues that arise with refrigerators can include failing condenser fans, a faulty defroster timer, and compressors. Compressors are an expensive fix for refrigerators.
Other issues can include froze water lines knocking or even faulty ice maker devices which can be expensive to replace as well.
While some of these are fixes that can be tackled, some people will choose just buying a new refrigerator over attempting to repair or call a repairman. Being handy is not for everyone. When something needs to be replaced it may be more beneficial to just buy a new appliance.
6. It has become too expensive to keep running.
Falling back on common issues that arise in refrigerators, like the condenser fan, compressor, etc, some people are handy and will tackle these repairs. These repairs can include clearing debris, defrosting frozen lines, replacing water valves, etc.
Other repairs can include aligning things back into place to fix noisy fridges. But overall, if there is constant money being dumped into keeping a fridge afloat, this is a huge telling sign to pick out a new refrigerator.
The money being dished out to pay repairmen or even do self-repairs really can add up. This money could be better used to just purchase a new refrigerator!
7. You're moving.
Moving is such a cumbersome task that no one truly enjoys. A huge of moving is either lugging a refrigerator from an old house or apartment to a new dwelling.
This may be a beneficial choice for someone who has a good refrigerator to bring along during this move. However, for some people, it is an opportunity to pick out something brand new and leave an older, outdated version behind.
Some home purchases or apartment rentals can come with refrigerators. However, these may be older or not meet the exact needs of someone. In this case, during moving, getting a new refrigerator is certainly on the to-do list.
8. It is simply an energy hog.
Household appliances are well known for not being energy efficient. Being energy efficient includes saving money by running more cleanly and for less time as well.
We take for granted our appliances and how they use up energy which can cost us a lot in the long run. The amount of money used to run some household appliances can truly add up.
Really consider this when thinking about refrigerators and the energy they use. Especially because refrigerators are constantly running to maintain temperatures and keep your goods cold.
To get a better idea of how much energy is used to operate a refrigerator, it is important to understand energy usage basics. Energy usage and the costs that appliances rack up are measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh.
This unit of measurement determines how much energy an appliance is using, based on its wattage, and can be factored into determining how money it is costing to operate.
When it comes to refrigerators, this number can range as smaller versions will obviously use less energy and larger models will suck up a bit more energy.
For all purposes of giving a proper example, the average wattage of a refrigerator is said to be around 780 watts.
With this in mind, when applied to the equation for calculating energy costs (which is multiplying the wattage by the cost of kWh for the United States and then by how many hours a day and how many days a year it is used), it truly adds up. In the case of a 780-watt refrigerator, at about 12 cents a kWh, this comes out to be around $273 a year to run.
This is based on 24-hour run times as well as being used every day. That is a large chunk of change. But moreover, it also comes out to using a whopping 2277.6 kWh.
In concerns to refrigerators that use a lot of energy and are costing a bit to operate, there are models that are classified as being energy-efficient. These more energy-efficient models are said to use energy to run.
This is said to be around 400 or below. So when applying these models to the above equation and factoring in the same usage, the cost will be slightly lower to run these household devices.
For example, a decrease in wattage from the standard of 780 watts to around 400 watts comes out to be 1168 kWh and around $160 a year to operate. This is quite the drop in price and can be even lower with models that range somewhere in the 250-watt range.
These energy-efficient models are said to use 730 kWh and only about $88 a year to run. So this shows that buying a more energy-efficient model of refrigerator has quite the benefit of saving money and energy.
9. You want to upgrade to a newer model.
Sometimes, it is simply time to upgrade to a newer model. As stated before, refrigerators with top freezers are the most common, especially in older models.
However, throughout the years, refrigerators have transformed into devices that are more than just where we store our chilled goods.
Models can range from side-by-side door fridges to something called "French Door" models. French door models are becoming a top choice. They feature bottom freezers with two swing-open fridge doors, providing optimal space.
The reasons for wanting to upgrade can be to have a more stylish look, a bigger, spacious fridge, a smaller model or even to try something new. There are even smart fridges on the market that feature interactive touch-screens on the doors.
These smart fridges can even track inventory within the fridge to determine usage and buying patterns. This is a unique feature that can be great for some people. However, sometimes upgrading can simply mean finding the perfect fridge for your specific needs and overall look. Finding this will provide the upgrade you've always wanted!
10. Condensation has become a problem.
Condensation in refrigerators is a common issue. This basically means the refrigerator is not cooling properly.
This will result in the products within the fridge having a "wet-look" to them or water droplets on the outside of the food packaging. This can also transpire to the fridge door having these water droplets as well.
The reasoning behind this issue is basically chalked up to an incorrect internal temperature setting or broken or damaged outer rubber sealing on the door.
Specifically, the rubber sealing on the door creates an airtight seal to keep the cooler temperatures inside the refrigerator. If this sealing has become comprised, it will result in condensation.
If too severe, it will result in the escape of cool air from the fridge and effect the temperature internally. Depending on the extent of the rubber lining's damage will indicate whether it can be fixed or if a new unit needs to be purchased.
11. It is not maintaining its internal temperature.
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous reason. The internal temperature plays a huge role in providing a fully functional refrigerator. If it is set too low, condensation can occur. Having the correct setting is crucial for perfectly chilled items and optimal fridge performance. However, if there is an issue with this temperature unit that is resulting in condensation, it is definitely time to ditch it and buy a new unit.
12. There is ice build-up in the freezer.
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The freezer can get overlooked when assessing when it may be time to get a new refrigerator. Ice build-up occurs in the freezer when the vents in the back of the freezer become blocked for long periods of time.
This doesn't allow for proper circulation of air in the freezer and can result in the build-up. Build-up can also occur if the rubber sealing on the freezer door has become damaged. If this cannot be repaired, it may be necessary to replace the refrigerator.
While ice build-up can be tackled, sometimes it can be a hassle to keep defrosting the freezer to fix it. It is recommended to defrost a freezer once a year. However, a fridge, especially older units, will frost up quicker and more often.
When this is happening, it is a huge telling sign to get the refrigerator replaced!
13. The motor seems to be overheating.
There are many moving parts to a refrigerator and just like any household appliance, they can become faulty. More specifically, an overheating motor on a fridge may be a big telling sign it is time to search for a new refrigerator.
The biggest culprit behind a fridge motor overheating is the insulated coils that help the refrigerator operate. It is normal to feel some heat from the back of a refrigerator near the motor. However, when it becomes particularly excessive, it is absolutely time to get a new refrigerator.
While it is possible to repair these coils, the cost of hiring a repairman to do the work can quite costly. Once again, as with the repairs and upkeep costing too much money, it may be smarter to dodge the bullet on high-cost repair work.
These coils are known to fail on older models of refrigerators and just simply are not worth replacing most of the time.
These 13 telling signs that you may need a new refrigerator are important signs to consider! While we obviously want our household appliances to last for as long as possible, sometimes it just is not in the cards to do so.
With proper maintenance and regular check-ups on odd sounds or noises, the life of a refrigerator can be upwards of 20 years. It is critical to take precautionary steps with any household appliance to get the most of it.
Even with these steps, there will still come a time when it is absolutely necessary to replace a refrigerator. These 13 steps have provided that insight and hopefully have shed some light on things to pay closer attention to when shopping for a new unit or inspecting refrigerators as a whole!
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