Are you planning to place your refrigerator in the garage and are wondering if it will be hard for the appliance to function properly there? People are keeping a refrigerator in the garage for many reasons. It is more convenient to keep extra food in the garage fridge and also saves space in the kitchen. On the other hand, a lot of people are hesitant to place a fridge in the garage because it might affect the efficiency of the appliance. Let us delve more into this topic below.
Is it hard for a refrigerator to be in the garage? It is hard for a refrigerator to be in the garage because it is sensitive to temperature changes. If your garage is uninsulated or you live in an area with extreme temperatures, it can be hard for the refrigerator to work efficiently. When exposed to a hot temperature, the compressor of the fridge will run frequently to maintain the temperature inside. As a result, the refrigerator will work harder which can wear down its parts. Aside from that, it will also use more electricity.
Keeping a refrigerator inside the garage is okay as long as the temperature in the garage is within the operating range of the fridge. Make sure that the refrigerator that you purchase can handle extreme temperatures. Why is it hard for a refrigerator to be in a garage? Can you put a fridge in a cold garage? Why does a refrigerator work hard in a hot garage? Read the rest of the article to find out the answers to these questions.
Why is it Hard for a Refrigerator to be in a Garage?
It is hard for a refrigerator to be in a garage because it is not made to operate at extreme temperatures. Aside from that, temperature, dust, debris, humidity, and moisture in the garage will affect the efficiency of the refrigerator. If the fridge constantly works hard to maintain a cool temperature, it will put a strain on its parts which will eventually cause damage.
Single Thermostat
If your refrigerator has a single thermostat, it is not suitable for the garage because it will not work at near-freezing temperatures. Fridge and freezer combos usually have the thermostat located in the fresh produce section. If the garage temperature drops below the refrigerator setting, the fridge will shut off. You should purchase a refrigerator that features two thermostats, one in the refrigerator section and another one in the freezer section.
Refrigerator Temperature Range
Most refrigerator models cannot work properly when exposed to an ambient temperature that is above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the compressor or the motor of the fridge can burn out. If the refrigerator continues to run at higher temperatures, the compressor will run non-stop and will affect the efficiency of the fridge.
Garage Temperature
Another reason why it is hard for the refrigerator to be in a garage is because of the garage temperature. If your garage is uninsulated or unheated, it will experience extreme hot and cold temperatures which will affect the functionality of the fridge. Indoor refrigerators are made to be used at a maintained temperature and placing them in the garage can cause damage to the appliance.
Exposure to Dust and Debris
Garages accumulate dust and debris which is bad for the refrigerator. Dust and debris can get stuck into the parts of the fridge which can affect its efficiency. If you are planning to place your fridge in the garage, make sure that it is regularly cleaned. You can also check out this article that discusses if a refrigerator in the garage uses more electricity. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
High Humidity and Condensation Level
Another reason why it is hard for a refrigerator to be in a garage is because of the high humidity and condensation level. If the garage gas has high humidity and condensation, the metallic parts of the fridge will start to rust. This will affect how the refrigerator works and can also damage it.
What are the Risks of Having a Regular Refrigerator in the Garage?
The risks of having a regular refrigerator in the garage are that the food in the refrigerator section will start to freeze and the food in the freezer section will start to thaw. When food in the freezer section starts to thaw, it will get damaged. Moreover, it can also be risky for the pressurized containers that you placed in the refrigerator section such as sodas and energy drinks because they can explode when they freeze. On the other hand, when the food in the freezer section starts to thaw, it will spoil and can lead to food poisoning.
Does the Refrigerator Work Hard in a Hot Garage?
A refrigerator will work hard in a hot garage. When exposed to the hot temperature inside the garage, the fridge will work harder so that it can maintain the coolness to keep the foods inside fresh. This can put a strain on the working parts of the fridge. When frequently exposed to hot temperatures, the refrigerator can get damaged.
Helpful Tips to Make it Less Harder for a Refrigerator to be in a Garage
The placement of the refrigerator inside the garage, temperature, and the location where you live are some of the things that you need to consider when keeping a refrigerator in a garage. Having a refrigerator in the garage is common for many households. On the other hand, during the summer season, the garage tends to get very hot and humid which can bring many problems to the fridge. If your garage is uninsulated, the fridge will work harder which will affect its efficiency. Let us learn more about the tips for keeping a refrigerator in a garage below.
The Placement
One of the things that you need to consider when keeping a refrigerator in the garage is placement. Make sure to place the refrigerator in an area in your garage that is flat, cool, and dry. It is recommended that you place the fridge away from the windows. On the other hand, there should be enough space between the fridge and the wall so that air can properly circulate.
The Temperature
Another thing that you need to consider is the temperature inside the garage. This is a common issue that homeowners encounter especially if they have an uninsulated garage. In the winter, the temperature can get extremely low which can affect the compressor of the fridge. If there is damage to the compressor, the refrigerator will become warm. It is recommended that you insulate or garage. If you do not have the budget, you can create an enclosed and insulated area for the fridge.
Maintenance
Maintenance is important to make sure that the fridge will work properly in the garage. Create a schedule to check the different parts of the fridge like the compressor and thermostat. For the refrigerator to work at its optimum level, all of the components should be in good condition. Damage to any part of the refrigerator will affect its efficiency and will also increase the risk of spoiled food.
Location
You also need to consider the climate in your area. It is a big risk to place a refrigerator in an unheated or uninsulated garage especially when your area experiences extreme temperature. You should choose a garage-ready refrigerator that can handle a wide temperature range. You can also insulate your garage if you have the resources. We have also shared this article titled, what does a garage-ready refrigerator mean? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
✅ Video – How Does a Refrigerator Work?
Lesics shared the video below on YouTube. It talks about how a refrigerator works. If you are planning to place your fridge in the garage, you need to be familiar with how it works so that you can determine if it is ideal to be used in the garage or not. Watch the video below for more information.
Can You Keep a Refrigerator in a Cold Garage?
You can keep a refrigerator in a cold garage but there are risks that you need to take. Manufacturers recommend that you do not place a refrigerator in an area where the temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the low temperature will trick the thermostat into thinking that it is cold enough and will stop working. If this happens, the food in the freezer section will thaw and the food in the refrigerator section will freeze.
What is the Best Temperature for a Refrigerator?
Standard refrigerators work best in temperatures between 68 and 71 degrees. This temperature range enables the refrigerator to operate efficiently. However, this will have to depend on the model of refrigerator that you have. Some refrigerators can work with higher or lower temperature ranges than others.
What are Garage Refrigerator Kits and What Do They Do?
Garage refrigerator kits are made of heating coils that warm the air around the thermostat of the refrigerator. This kit tricks the fridge into thinking the surrounding air is warm so that the compressor is turned on. As a result, this will prevent the freezer section of the refrigerator from thawing when the garage temperature drops to freezing level. You can also read this article that discusses why people have refrigerators in their garages. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discusses if it is hard for a refrigerator to be in the garage. We have learned that it can be hard for a refrigerator to be in a garage for many reasons including the temperature. If you are planning to place a fridge in the garage, make sure to choose the one that is garage-ready so that it has a wide temperature range. It is also recommended that you insulate your garage or keep the fridge in an enclosed area to protect it from fluctuating temperatures. Thank you for reading!