In this article, we will discuss the difference between a regular refrigerator and a garage refrigerator. If you are thinking about purchasing an additional refrigerator but you do not have extra space inside the house, you might think about putting the fridge in the garage. On the other hand, you might have heard that a regular refrigerator will not function efficiently or get damaged when placed in an uninsulated garage. Why is this? Below, we will discuss the difference between a garage and a regular refrigerator.
What’s the difference between a regular refrigerator and a garage refrigerator? The difference between a regular refrigerator and a garage refrigerator is that the regular one is suitable for climate-controlled areas wherein the temperature does not drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit while the garage refrigerator can function even in near-freezing conditions as well as extremely hot temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, a garage refrigerator features more than one temperature sensor and has a wider range of operating temperatures which makes it ideal for garage use.
A garage refrigerator looks the same as a regular refrigerator, but it should be able to maintain its temperature according to the temperature inside the garage. Bear in mind that there are a few factors that you need to consider and how they can affect the garage refrigerator. The best refrigerator for the garage will have to depend on the temperature inside the garage and how it changes throughout the year.
What Makes a Refrigerator Ideal for Garage Use?
For a refrigerator to be ideal for garage use, it should be able to handle and survive temperature changes, especially in an uninsulated garage. Furthermore, they should feature enhanced insulation so that they can withstand temperature changes. The insulation will help keep the fridge and freezer sections working efficiently without being affected by the room temperature. The garage refrigerator needs to have better insulation so that it can maintain the ideal working temperature for the electrical parts.
When choosing a refrigerator for your garage, make sure that you find out its operational temperature range. Bear in mind that not all brand and model is the same. While manufacturers would advertise that their refrigerator is suitable for garage use, you still need to check the installation section which can be found inside the user manual. In there, you can determine the room temperature that is recommended so that the refrigerator will work efficiently.
Why are Regular Refrigerators Not Suitable for Most Garages?
The extreme hot and cold temperatures inside the garage as well as the humidity are some of the reasons why a regular refrigerator is not suitable for garage use. Before you purchase a refrigerator for your garage, make sure that you are aware of the temperature levels that it has for the whole year. Using a regular refrigerator in the garage is a bad idea especially if you have an uninsulated and unheated garage.
Extreme Hot Temperature
One of the reasons why a regular refrigerator is not ideal for the garage is because of extremely hot temperatures. Regular refrigerators are designed to operate at room temperature. When they are exposed to high temperatures, they will work harder so that they can keep the interior cool. As a result, it can stress its components which can lead to damage.
Moreover, your electric bills will also increase because the refrigerator consumes more electricity to work harder. Moreover, if your garage is uninsulated, the fluctuating temperatures will lead to the drip pans of the fridge filling up with water quickly.
Extreme Cold Temperature
Another reason why a regular refrigerator is not ideal for the garage is because of the extreme cold temperature. The extremely cold temperature is bad for the freezer section of the refrigerator. Take note that some refrigerators only feature one thermostat in the fridge section.
As the temperature in the garage drops, the temperature control unit of the fridge will think that the temperature in the freezer section is fine. While the compressor will turn on to lower the temperature in the freezer section, this may fail to do so. As a result, the food inside will start to thaw and you will end up with spoiled food when the temperature in the garage rises. You can also read this article that discusses why your refrigerator will not work in the garage. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Humid Temperature
The humid temperature in the garage is also another reason why a regular refrigerator is not suitable for it. Humidity is an issue, especially for garages that are not climate controlled. Moreover, the humidity inside the garage can go up for various reasons which include the high outdoor humidity, water pooling, damp walls and floors, and snow melting.
When the humidity inside the garage is high, the metal parts of the refrigerator will start to rust and degrade. If your garage has a high humidity level, you need to make sure that you have better ventilation. You can install fans and dehumidifiers to protect things in your garage that are made of metal including cars. You can also read this article that discusses if outdoor refrigerators need to be winterized. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
✅ Video – Garage Refrigerator Tips
The video below is shared by Schaeferstv on YouTube. It talks about garage refrigerator tips. If you are planning to keep a fridge in the garage, you can watch the video for tips and additional information.
What Makes a Refrigerator Ideal for the Garage?
The extra insulation, high-power efficiency, and lower temperature operating range are some of the things that make a refrigerator ideal for the garage. Garage-ready refrigerators have similar functions as regular refrigerators. On the other hand, they have differences in their features and standards. Let us learn more about this below.
It Should Have Higher Power Efficiency
Refrigerators that are suitable for the garage have high power efficiency. On the other hand, garage-ready refrigerators are more expensive as compared to regular refrigerators; they feature better energy-star ratings. Hence, you can rest assured that even though the fridge is in your garage, you will not spend a lot on your electricity bills. Garage refrigerators can work efficiently for a long time.
It Should Have Extra Insulation
Garage refrigerators should also have extra insulation. Compared to your indoors, a garage has a higher temperature so you need to make sure that you choose a refrigerator that can handle a wide temperature range. Bar in mind that the internal parts of the refrigerator will be affected by the extreme temperature. You need to choose garage-ready refrigerators that are designed to have extra insulation that will effectively protect the parts of the refrigerator.
It Should Have Lower Operating Temperature Range
Another thing that you need to consider when choosing a refrigerator that is ideal for the garage is that it should have a lower operating temperature range. Make sure to check the garage-ready sticker of the refrigerator. The fridge should be able to offer an ideal overall temperature range.
Look for a fridge that is made from high-quality materials and offers a temperature range of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. We have also shared this article titled, does a refrigerator work harder in the garage? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
What is the Difference between a Garage Refrigerator and an Outdoor Refrigerator?
The difference between a garage refrigerator and an outdoor refrigerator is that outdoor refrigerators are made to withstand wet weather. Outdoor fridges have regular thermostats that cannot handle freezing weather. Garage-ready refrigerators, on the other hand, are made to withstand temperature fluctuation and freezing, but they are still considered indoor refrigerators.
Will a Refrigerator Efficiently Work in a Hot Garage?
A refrigerator will efficiently work in a hot garage as long as it is garage-ready. You need to take note that any kind of fridge is not suitable to be stored in an area that exceeds 119 degrees Fahrenheit. Your garage should have a maximum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be a suitable location for the fridge. If your garage experiences extreme hot conditions in the summer, your fridge can burn out because its compressor will work harder to provide a cool temperature to keep food fresh.
Furthermore, when you place a refrigerator in the garage, it will work hard so that it will be compatible with the surrounding temperature. When it is exposed to extremely hot temperatures, the fridge will stop working for them to be accustomed to the fluctuating temperature. If this happens, food stored inside the fridge will spoil. You can also check out this article that discusses if a freezer in the garage uses more electricity. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Will the Refrigerator Efficiently Work in a Cold Garage?
A refrigerator will work efficiently in a cold garage if it is designed to operate in extremely cold temperatures. Refrigerators usually stop working when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. If you place a regular fridge in an unheated garage, there is a big chance that it will stop working.
It is recommended by manufacturers that refrigerators should not be kept in an area where the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit because the freezer section will thaw. Furthermore, the ideal room temperature for the refrigerator is 68 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also best that you choose a refrigerator with two thermostats for a wider temperature range.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the difference between a regular refrigerator and a garage refrigerator. We have found out that a garage refrigerator has a wider temperature range as compared to regular ones. This temperature range allows them to withstand the temperature changes inside the garage. If you are looking for a fridge to keep in your garage, make sure that you one the one that is garage-friendly. Thank you for reading!