How to prepare your refrigerator for a long vacation

Why can't you keep the refrigerator open for a long time?

A device such as a refrigerator can operate reliably – under completely sealed conditions. Do not leave the refrigerator or freezer door open for a long time.

Let's figure out what happens if you don't close the refrigerator, the main consequences could be:

1. Spoiled food.
2. Compressor failure.
3. The appearance of unusual sounds and noises.
4. Thermostat failure.
5. Short circuit.

Food spoils

If the door of the refrigerator is left open for a long time, for example the whole night, the temperature inside the compartment rises. The product begins to deteriorate under conditions above +5 C, especially if the refrigerator is overloaded in the summer.

The development and spread of harmful bacteria in food will cause an unpleasant odor, and their entry into the human body can lead to poisoning.

A forgotten freezer door will help:

• the formation of a puddle under the device;
• the appearance of a thick layer of ice;
• Frozen foods will begin to thaw; re-freezing will negatively affect their quality.

To restore normal food storage conditions, you need to turn off and completely defrost the device, treat its internal walls with a soda solution.

The compressor may burn out

If you forget to close the refrigerator, the compressor goes into overdrive. The device tries to catch up with the required temperature conditions, works non-stop for several hours, then fails. The compressor cannot be repaired; it will require dismantling and complete replacement of the electrical appliance.

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Signs of compressor failure are:

1. Strong noise, vibration, rattling during operation.
2. High temperature inside the chamber, on the contrary, extreme cold, frost formation on the walls.
3. The motor does not turn on and turns off after a short period of time.

In modern devices, an emergency shutdown will most likely work, which will protect the compressor from damage.

Problems with forced shutdown of the refrigerator

Frequently disconnecting the refrigerator from the network negatively affects its operation. At the beginning of the compressor startup, the highest electrical voltage occurs. If the light goes out at this moment, the compressor burns out faster.

If the electricity in your house is often cut off, it is better to unplug the refrigerator and wait until the situation stabilizes. The Pilot uninterruptible power supply device can solve the problem.

Leak

The appearance of a puddle next to the refrigerator can have several reasons:

• With frequent forced shutdowns, the evaporator heater fails. The No Frost system stops functioning and ice forms inside the chambers. If you open the door several times, the snow “coat” will melt and water will begin to pour into the drainage hole. The bathtub in refrigerators with a “dry freeze” function is not designed to hold a large amount of liquid, so the excess will flow onto the floor. Replacing the evaporator heater will help solve the problem. The cost of repairs will be about 2500 rubles.
• Frequent temperature changes lead to the fact that the device begins to freeze in enhanced mode. An ice crust forms on the walls, which gradually melts. Some of the moisture flows into the tray, the rest accumulates inside at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment.

The sooner the cause of the leak is eliminated, the less damage will be caused to the household appliance. Accumulated water causes corrosion of metal parts.

Over time, freon may leak and the system will need to be sealed and refilled. And such repairs cost much more.

Malfunctions

Excessively frequent disconnection of the refrigerator from the network can cause a number of serious damage. The most common of them:

• failure of the starting relay;
• compressor combustion;
• failure of the evaporator heater in models with “dry freezing”.

Signs of a broken start relay:

• motor that doesn't work or switches off quickly;
• the temperature inside the chambers is not low enough;
• the refrigerator starts to work, but after a few seconds it turns off (the problem may lie in the working winding of the motor; the slightest heating leads to false operation of the relay protection mechanism).

Check the condition of the nodes using a tester. You can replace a part in devices of the Ariston, Stinol or Indesit brands yourself.

If you turn off your refrigerator too often, it will cause the compressor to burn out quickly. A sign of a breakdown is high air temperature in the chambers and defrosting of the device, although it is turned on and constantly humming. Most compressors are designed roughly the same. When a signal is received from the temperature sensor, the relay is activated and the engine starts. If it fails, the device stops functioning. You can usually solve the problem by installing a new motor. Somewhat less often, a complete replacement of the compressor is required.

If the evaporator heater fails, a layer of ice appears in the chambers of a refrigerator with a “dry freezing” system. It prevents the fan that blows cold air from rotating. At the same time, the characteristic quiet noise of the blades is not heard. Such a breakdown requires replacement of the heater.

How long can you keep the refrigerator open?

We have sorted out the question of why the refrigerator cannot be kept open for a long time, let’s find out for what period it can be opened.

Almost all models of refrigeration units that can be purchased today are equipped with special signaling devices when the door is opened for a long time. These may be sound signals and/or flashing lights that go off after 1-2 minutes and remind you that you cannot keep the door open for a long time.

Old-style refrigerators do not provide such signals, so you should pay special attention to the device. The main task of the compressor is to maintain the required temperature conditions with the help of refrigerant, therefore, opening the refrigerator for a long time will lead to its constant operation and increased energy consumption.

Why not right away?

Household appliances can be stored in warehouses in poorly heated rooms. Also, when transported in cool weather, the goods are subject to temperature changes. Especially in winter, when the thermometer reaches low values, the load on the unit increases.

The instruction manual states that the refrigerator must be transported in an upright position. There are often cases when this product is laid horizontally when transported from factories and warehouses.

In addition, during transportation the refrigerator can be installed at an angle of inclination exceeding 40º. In both cases, engine oil in the compressor may enter the refrigerant pipe.

To better understand why you can’t immediately turn on the refrigerator after transportation, you need to learn about its structure and operating principles. Main parts of a household refrigerator:

1. Compressor. Necessary for compression and supply of refrigerant (special working substance), in refrigeration equipment it is freon. This increases the pressure and temperature in this device. The compressor operates using a motor, which contains engine oil.
2. Capacitor. In it, the compressed refrigerant is cooled and turned into liquid.
3. Capillary. It is a narrow tube, moving through which freon reaches the boiling point.
4. Evaporator. In this apparatus, a liquid substance becomes gaseous when boiling. It absorbs heat energy and releases cold.
5. Filter drier. Helps cleanse the working substance.
6. Thermostat. A special sensor that regulates the required temperature.

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After the evaporator, the refrigerant moves to the compressor and the cycle repeats.

If the refrigerator is positioned incorrectly, technical oil enters the refrigerant circuit, which does not have the same ability to compress as freon. The motor will be operated without stopping, which may result in breakdown.

It is better to keep a disconnected refrigerator open or closed

Before leaving for a long period of time, it is recommended to perform the following actions on the refrigeration unit:

1. Completely empty all chambers of food.
2. Disconnect from the power supply. This, firstly, ensures compliance with safety regulations, and secondly, it will save energy costs.
3. Rinse the internal surfaces, wipe the rubber seals dry so that they do not crack from high humidity. Do not use abrasive cleaners or hard brushes.
4. Leave the door open for the entire period of absence. If the device is closed for a long time, it may retain an unpleasant, musty odor.

Following the above recommendations will allow you to leave it unattended for a long time in a clean condition, without foreign odors. Be sure to close the door before turning on the device.

Do I need to turn off the refrigerator during vacation, for a long period of time?

From this article you will learn whether you need to turn off the refrigerator during vacation and how to prepare the equipment before leaving for a long period of time.
It would seem that it would be much easier to remove the products and unplug them from the network? If you did exactly this, get ready to fight the unpleasant odor. In order to rest peacefully and not fear for the safety of the refrigerator, it is easier to leave it turned off. Why:

• will not break or leak;
• will not consume excess electricity;
• will not spark due to voltage surges.

How to disable

The main rule to follow before leaving is to leave the refrigerator empty, dry and clean.

1. The first thing to do is to turn off the power to the device to avoid catching fire in the wiring, which could develop into a fire. This will save money and protect you from power surges.
2. Next, empty the shelves and chambers of all products, otherwise an unpleasant odor cannot be avoided. Even the smallest jar of forgotten yogurt can cause problems. New models are not designed for long-term storage of food (except for freezing), so it is necessary to carry out an inspection once a week.
3. Prepare a bowl of warm water and rinse all shelves, containers, racks and other removable parts. If you're in a hurry, you can replace washing with dry cleaning: wipe all surfaces with a soft towel.
4. When everything is done, be sure to open the door: this will prevent the smell of rotten food from appearing. Never use foreign objects to secure the door - this may cause deformation of the seal. If possible, simply adjust the legs so that the appliance is tilted forward.

Safety regulations

Repair and maintenance experts advise turning off the refrigerator to reduce the load. This will help significantly extend the life of the device.

When leaving the equipment turned off, you should ensure protection from moisture, direct sunlight and elevated temperatures. By following all safety rules, you can leave your refrigerator for a long time with peace of mind and not be afraid to see it broken upon your return.

Holiday mode in the refrigerator - what is it?

Many modern models are equipped with a “vacation” mode - it allows you not to turn off the equipment completely and set the temperature to about +15°C. If you are away from home for a long time, manufacturers recommend using this mode, after removing all products or leaving a minimum.

Brief description of the features of the “vacation” mode in refrigerators

LG

The Holiday mode allows you to maintain a stable temperature of about 12°C. This function will allow the owner not to worry about fungus and unpleasant odor. Some LG refrigerators feature an antibacterial seal for added protection.

Samsung

In new Samsung models, the intelligent mode puts the equipment into a “vacation” state, while only the freezer compartment works.

"Atlant"

With one button, the equipment switches to energy-saving mode, allowing you to use up to 40% less electricity. Depending on the model, the temperature can be set from +10°C to +15°C.

Do not be upset if your refrigerator does not have such a function; it appeared recently and is not available from all manufacturers. You can adjust the temperature yourself and save energy consumption.

Ice Maker

If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker, be sure to set it to the clean position. In this mode, the remaining water flows down, preventing mold and mildew from developing. After switching the ice maker to cleaning mode, you must disconnect the equipment from the network and turn off the water supply tap (if connected to the water supply).

If you leave the refrigerator on

Perhaps nothing bad will happen, you will return and continue to use it as before. But do not forget that there are threats that can seriously affect the stability of work.

Follow a few simple rules before leaving:

1. Be sure to check the food for freshness: frozen vegetables will last until you return, but leaving milk behind can play a cruel joke.
2. Always take out the meat products. If the power goes out or something happens to the refrigerator, you will find an unbearable smell inside that is very difficult to get rid of.
3. Do not leave equipment near radiators or water pipes; the influence of heat and moisture will irreparably affect the operation of the refrigerator.

Now you know how to prepare any model for a long trip. If you are still afraid to leave your equipment, seek help from relatives or neighbors who will help look after the apartment in your absence.

Other refrigerator failures (which may be caused by an open refrigerator)

The most dangerous outcome of an open door of a refrigeration appliance can be overheating of the compressor, leading to a fire or a short circuit due to overload of the electrical wiring. Spontaneous combustion leads to a fire and the release of harmful substances due to the melting of plastic parts.

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The thermostat determines how hard or weak the refrigerator will freeze.

The main signs of a thermal relay failure may be:

• continuous operation of the refrigerator without self-shutdown;
• strong injection of low temperature in compartments with positive indicators;
• Unstable operation of the device, spontaneous shutdown.

Another breakdown can be unusual sounds and noises in the refrigerator. In any case, you should seek help from specialists to prevent a more serious breakdown.

Tips and tricks

It is very difficult to live without a refrigerator in the modern world; by following the basic recommendations, you will be able to store food in optimal conditions, regardless of the time of year:

• install the unit on a slight slope so that the door can close under its own weight;
• install a voltage stabilizer to protect the device from voltage surges in the network;
• Before leaving (going to bed), make sure the refrigerator door is closed.

Proper handling of household appliances will allow them to work efficiently and extend their service life.