Has some food in your fridge gone bad well before its due date? If you're having to throw out milk or vegetables and waste your hard-earned money, you may wonder if the fridge is working as it should. In particular, is it cooling properly and if not, what should you do?
Check the Basics
Before worrying about mechanical or electronic issues, check the basics. Start by taking a look at the thermostat to see if it is still in its correct position or may have been turned down by mistake. If you can turn it from one extreme to another and not hear a clicking noise, then it may not be working at all and will need to be replaced. Also, check to see that you have not overloaded the fridge or freezer compartment so that the vents are blocked. These need to be clear to allow cold air to circulate.
Condenser Fan Issues
Next, pull the fridge away from the wall and ensure that the coils are not clogged with pet hair or dust. Next, if your model has a condenser fan at the back of the fridge, ensure that it can spin freely. Then, monitor the fan while the fridge is running. If you can hear the compressor and the fan is not circulating, you'll probably need to replace the latter.
Faulty Evaporator Fan
Sometimes, the issue can be caused by a faulty evaporator fan. These tend to become quite noisy when they fail, so if you hear some strange sounds emanating from your fridge, you may know where to look. And to find the evaporator fan, you typically have to remove a cover from within the fridge or freezer compartment to carry out an inspection.
Once you remove the cover, you should be able to see the fan. While the unit is unplugged, see if the fan can spin freely. If there seems to be some impairment, then you need to fit a new one. It's held in place by a mounting bracket, which you will need to unscrew first. Then, once you have acquired a new fan, you simply reverse the process and replace the protective panel.
What to Do Next
As you can see, many cooling issues are associated with either a faulty compressor fan or a malfunctioning evaporator fan. Still, many people do not want to get their hands dirty, do not have the relevant tools or prefer expert attention. If you feel this way, call in a contractor to take care of these issues instead.
For more information about refrigeration repair, contact a local contractor.