How To Stop Your Garage Fridge From Freezing
Many homeowners keep an extra fridge in their garage, and that’s usually quite convenient. However, it suddenly becomes an emergency when you discover that the contents have frozen. That’s why you may understandably wonder how to stop your garage fridge from freezing.
The best way to stop your garage fridge from freezing is to declutter it and avoid blocking the vents. You can also keep your garage fridge from freezing if you insulate the garage and seal the door. Inspect and replace the condenser coils if they are overly dirty, damaged, or frozen, as this can make the fridge freeze.
Keep in mind that refrigerators only last 15-20 years, and can break down in under 10 years in extreme cases. Keep track of when you purchased your garage fridge ,as it may be time to replace it. Follow along as we explore how to keep your garage fridge from freezing.
How To Keep Your Garage Fridge From Freezing
1. Declutter Your Fridge
Your garage fridge is likely to freeze if it is overcrowded and stuffed with food. Overstuffing your fridge typically means that many items get crowded in the back. This can easily block the vents in the back of your garage fridge and make the contents freeze.
Carefully organize your refrigerator so that most of the items are close to the front. Sort through your garage fridge and check the expiration dates on your perishable food items. Throw away anything that is expired, and eat food that is close to expiration.
2. Insulate Your Garage
Garage refrigerators are prone to freezing in cold climates, especially in garages without effective insulation. A poorly insulated garage is prone to many problems, especially if you store cars and chemicals in there. Little to no insulation can also affect your fridge’s performance and make it freeze.
Cold air in your garage can also make your home feel much colder. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also increase your energy bill. You can stop your garage fridge from freezing if you insulate your garage with R-13 to R-21 insulation.
This isn’t an ironclad solution, but it can at least slow down the heat transfer process. It typically costs between $1,600 and $8,000 to insulate a garage. The cost varies based on the size of your garage, the type of insulation, and the contractor’s labor rate.
3. Adjust The Thermostat
It’s all too easy to accidentally change the temperature on your garage fridge’s thermostat. This is an easy way to unknowingly lower the fridge’s temperature to the point where it freezes. That’s especially true if it’s already below 32 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
Check the unit’s thermostat if you notice frost and frozen food in your garage fridge. Garage fridges do best when you set them to run at 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it varies between units, so it’s worth referring to your fridge’s instructions.
Keep in mind that the temperature at which you set your fridge’s thermostat isn’t ironclad. For example, your food can still freeze when set to 38 degrees Fahrenheit if the garage itself is colder than that. It’s a great idea to keep a thermometer in your garage to monitor the temperature. That way, you can adjust your fridge’s thermostat accordingly.
4. Seal The Door
Much like your home’s entry doors, when they aren’t properly sealed, a garage door can let in lots of cold air. Gaps and cracks in your garage door make it easy for cold air and even pests to enter your garage. Luckily, this is an easy fix, as you can typically apply cheap weatherstripping to fix the issue.
Modern garage doors typically have rubber seals at the bottom of them. However, they often suffer damage and become less effective. Once this happens, it’s worth removing the seal and replacing it with new weatherstripping.
You will be less likely to find bugs in your garage in this case. It typically costs between $115 and $300 to weatherstrip a garage door. The cost depends on the materials and whether you hire professional help, such as a garage technician.
5. Install A Garage Heater
A garage heater is a luxury that has become more popular in recent years. This is common among homeowners who use their garages as workspaces and gyms. However, a heater can also help keep your garage fridge from freezing throughout the winter.
There are several types of garage heaters, such as unit heaters, convection heaters, and forced air heaters. However, many homeowners find that forced-air garage heaters are the best. They rely on fans to blow warm air throughout a garage, which heats the air around your fridge.
That way, you won’t have to worry about the ambient air temperature freezing the food in your garage refrigerator. It costs an average of $2,000 to install a garage heater, but it can cost as little as $150. However, elaborate heating systems typically cost $1,200 to $4,000 to install.
6. Replace The Thermostat
Refrigerator thermostats don’t always last the lifespan of the refrigerator itself. Your garage fridge may freeze and suffer temperature fluctuations once the thermostat malfunction or stops working. Fridge thermostats can fail in as little as 10 years in some cases.
Once this happens, the temperature in your fridge may not reflect the number on the thermostat. This can explain why your fridge is much colder than what you set it to. The average cost to replace a fridge thermostat is $270, but it costs up to $440.
7. Replace The Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are essential to keep your garage fridge from freezing. Unfortunately, they eventually become dirty and can even break over the years. While you can clean dirty condenser coils, you must replace them if they’re damaged.
Condenser coils help keep the temperature in your fridge consistent. Once damaged, they cannot do this correctly, and they may freeze. Frozen condenser coils cannot do their job, and ice is likely to form in other parts of the fridge.
You cannot fix faulty condenser coils in most cases, and replacing them starts at $100. However, you may have to spend over $400, depending on the brand and the cost of labor.
8. Replace The Control Board
A fridge’s control board is necessary to regulate the temperature. You can tell that your garage fridge’s control board is faulty if some parts freeze while others are warm. This can cause your food to spoil or suffer freezer burn.
Keep in mind that it costs over $600 to hire professional help to replace a control board. You can save hundreds of dollars if you buy the part for $100 to $300 and do it without professional help. However, it’s worth replacing your garage fridge if it’s nearly 15-20 years old and keeps freezing.
9. Replace Door Seals
Seals are just as important to refrigerator doors as they are to your home’s front door. A damaged seal can make your fridge’s door hard to shut, or stay stuck shut. In minor cases, you can repair the seal with some silicone.
However, you may need to remove the damaged seal and replace it altogether. Depending on the brand, you can likely find a fridge door seal for $25 to $100. You can avoid labor fees that cost hundreds of dollars in some cases if you replace the seal without help.
Otherwise, you can expect to spend $300 or more if you hire a professional to replace the seals. Be careful each time you open and close your garage fridge to avoid damaging the seals.
10. Replace Your Fridge
Have you had your garage fridge for nearly 15 years or longer? If so, it may be freezing because of its age, and that is common. This is true even if you have replaced several components over time, such as the condenser coils and compressor.
Refrigerators typically last between 10 and 20 years, but they can stop working sooner in some cases. How long your garage fridge lasts depends on factors such as upkeep and location. Modern fridges typically cost between $650 and $2,500, including installation fees.
Summing It Up
Overstuffing your garage fridge with food can make it freeze, especially if you block the vents. Faulty thermostats, door seals, and condenser coils can also explain why your garage fridge is freezing. Install a heater if you live in a cold climate and your garage fridge often freezes.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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