Are your frozen foodstuffs losing their chill? Is the meat on your freezer white because of freezer-burns? Is your freezer making funny noises or has it stopped functioning?
At times, your freezer will give you some signs when it’s about to give out—and you need to take them seriously. These issues are a result of problems with the power source or the freezer itself. Some of these are common problems and can be repaired easily, while others will demand you to replace the entire unit. However, there are ways that you can check your freezer to see if it’s going out before calling a technician.
So, how do you tell that your freezer is about to go out?
Your food won’t freeze
If you notice that your food is not freezing or remaining cold, then there is a possibility that your freezer has a serious problem. Typically, a freezer is supposed to keep foodstuffs frozen—therefore, if you notice that your freezer is only keeping food cold, then it has a problem. First, you should make sure that you haven’t overstuffed your freezer since this can prevent it from working efficiently. If you notice that this problem persists, consider contacting a professional to inspect the freezer.
The freezer is making funny noises
At times, you will notice that your freezer makes some strange noises randomly. This is normal, and it shouldn’t alarm you. However, there are some noises that you should never ignore. If you notice that the freezer is making a lot of funny noises that you’ve never heard before, there’s a possibility that a serious issue is looming. The freezer might be wearing down, meaning there is a possibility of the appliance breaking down in the near future.
A sudden spike of electric bills
If you notice that your monthly energy bills have suddenly spiked, despite your daily usage remaining constant, the most likely culprit could be your freezer. Statistics indicate that a malfunctioning freezer can consume a considerable amount of energy since it runs 24/7.
Even though it’s a bit stressful to notice that your freezer is going out, you should take that opportunity to invest in a newer and better model. While this can be a costly decision, you will notice its value in the future.
If you consider investing in a new freezer, invest in one with Energy Star certification. These freezers consume less energy, meaning your monthly electricity bills will reduce considerably.
The freezer is over-freezing
Signs of ice stuck at the walls of your freezer is perfectly normal. However, your freezer should never feel so cold to the extent that you have to dig through layers of ice to pick something or create some space for your food.
At times, you can fix this problem with a new door gasket. However, if that doesn’t solve the issue, then your freezer won’t last long. The ideal temperature for your freezer should be around -18 degrees C. Anything below that can be an indication of a serious problem.
How to keep your freezer in a good condition
Clean the coils
A freezer’s cooling coils are essential as they are the components that make the freezer to freeze your food. These coils are found beneath or behind the unit—and they tend to collect a lot of dirt, dust, and pet dander. These coils keep your food frozen and your freezer working normally.
However, their efficiency goes down when they get covered by dust, dirt, or pet dander. If you fail to clean the coils for a long time, the coils risk burning out. Therefore, you should make sure that you vacuum the coils after every few months, and clear anything that can cause your freezer to overwork.
Keep the top of the freezer clear
Most people are tempted to use the top of their freezers as an additional space for storing extra items. However, you should understand that your freezer releases the excess heat via the top space. Putting things on this space traps this heat, thus forcing the freezer to overwork to keep the temperatures optimum. If you have a habit of doing this, then you risk damaging your freezer in the long run. Therefore, you should always play safe, and keep the top of the freezer clear.
Keep it full
If you own a freezer, you should understand that it functions better when it’s full—yes that’s true, even though it seems counterintuitive. As the items inside freeze, they assist in keeping the temperature of the entire unit cold—thus making the freezer, not to overwork.
Now, you realize that this is teamwork. Therefore, always make sure that your freezer is not running empty. When the freezer is full, the motor doesn’t strain. Thus, you end up keeping your freezer in good shape, and also make it last longer.
Inspect the seal
A tight seal at the door of the freezer assists in maintaining constant temperature, and the freezer won’t have to overwork to keep the temperature optimum. Always inspect the rubber seal on the door to see if there are any cracks or if it’s damaged. Then, shut a bill in the door and pull it out—see if it pulls out easily.
If you notice any damage in the gasket or you can pull out the bill easily, then it’s time to replace the gasket. Most people can easily replace the gasket so long as they have DIY skills. However, consider hiring a technician to do the replacement if you don’t have an idea of how to do it. If you see that the gasket is in good shape, clean it to clear any dirt or grime, as this can prevent it from sealing well.
Defrost the freezer regularly
If your freezer has a manual defrost setting, always make sure that you defrost it whenever you the ice build-up on the inside walls is more than half-inch. This ensures that the freezer is running efficiently. Moreover, it ensures that you won’t lose any space to ice. Always make sure that you move your frozen foodstuffs to another freezer or refrigerator when defrosting the freezer, as this will prevent the food from going bad.
Often clean the drain hole and pan
Today’s freezers come with a self-defrosting mechanism. If you own one of these freezers, you don’t have to worry about defrosting the freezer. However, you should make sure that you clean the drain hole, as this ensures that the freezer gets rid of the water from the daily defrost cycles.
To do this, first, unplug the freezer from its power source, and then locate the drain hole. After that, remove any mineral deposits that might be clogging the hole. Also, don’t forget to wash the drain pan when doing this exercise. You should always do this after every three months to prevent the possibilities of clogs.
If you experience a problem with your freezer, contact experts from Jacksonville Appliance Repair to inspect your freezer. These technicians are experts in appliance repair, and they will advise you on whether to repair or replace your freezer depending on its condition.
