The refrigerator is undoubtedly an invention that has modified the way of living. It has become an important part of life. It prevents the food from spoiling for many days. When the refrigerator temperature is low, bacteria in food grow slowly. A refrigerator uses many components for producing cooling, and a compressor is one of them. This article mainly describes refrigerator compressor.
What is Refrigerator Compressor?
A compressor that compresses the refrigerant in the refrigerator is known as a refrigerator compressor. The refrigerator compressor plays an important role in producing cooling in the refrigerator. In this way, the food can be preserved for a long time.
The compressor is also called the “heart” of the refrigerator. This is an important and costly part of the air-cooling cycle. The refrigerator compressor works as a motor and a pump to circulate the refrigerant throughout the refrigeration cycle.
How Does a Refrigerator Work?
A refrigerator works due to the circulation of a refrigerant in it. As the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerator, it passes through the following four stages:
- Compression
- Condensation
- Metering and Expansion
- Evaporation
1) Compression: –
In the compression phase of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant comes into the compressor as a vapor having low pressure. As the refrigerant enters, the compressor pressurizes the refrigerant by reducing its volume. As the compression process completes, the compressor converts refrigerant into high pressure and temperature vapor.
After completing the compression process, the compressor sends the compressed refrigerant into the next phase of the cycle.
2) Condensation: –
After the compression process, the compressed refrigerant enters into the condenser for condensation.
In the condensation phase, the vapor refrigerant enters the condenser and moves through multiple metal pipes. These metal pipes emit the heat of the refrigerant into the surrounding air.
The air around the metal pipes has a low temperature compared to the inner refrigerant. According to law of thermodynamics, the heat moves from the low-temperature area to the high-temperature area. Therefore, the heat moves from the refrigerant to the surrounding air.
Due to the heat transfer process, the high temperature of the refrigerant converts into the saturation temperature, which transforms the vapor refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid.
As the refrigerant converts into a liquid state, the condenser sends it to the next phase.
3) Expansion: –
In the 3rd operating phase of the compression refrigeration system, the liquid refrigerant enters the expansion valve. This valve maintains the pressure on the suction end.
The main objective of the expansion valve is to expand the liquid refrigerant and reducing the outlet side’s pressure. During the expansion stage, the liquid refrigerant temperature also drops and converts into the low-temperature refrigerant.
4) Evaporator: –
After the completion of the expansion process, the liquid refrigerant enters into the evaporator. It is a cooling part of the refrigerant or fridge which completely absorbs heat from the fluid in the cooling appliance.
Multiple fans are utilized to remove hot air from the conditioned area through the evaporator coil in the evaporator stage. The cooler refrigerant reduces the conditioned area’s temperature by absorbing the heat of the hot air.
After some time, the liquid refrigerant completely extracts heat from the warm air and starts boiling. As the refrigerant boils, it transforms into a low-pressure vapor state. After this, the vapor refrigerant again sends into the compressor, and the whole cycle repeats.
Read More: Different Types of Compressors
How do you know if your refrigerator compressor is bad?
The following symptoms represent that your refrigerator compressor is bad and you need to replace it:
1) Condensation Build Up
If the refrigerator always looks sweaty, this is the first symptom of condensation. This condensation may produce mold, which is very dangerous for the products inside the refrigerator.
The affected products such as food can generate different diseases, and your family may affect due to the spoiled products.
2) Extreme Heat from the Motor
If you are feeling a very high temperature in your kitchen (if you keep your refrigerator in your kitchen) and your oven is not working, check your refrigerator compressor.
For inspection, put your hand near the coil behind the refrigerator and make sure either it is overheated or not (be careful not to touch the coil).
If these coils have a very high temperature, it could indicate that your motor has overheated and needs to be changed.
3) Your Food Is Rotten
Suppose you observe that your food is rotten under normal refrigerator conditions, and the cooling of the drinks like soda and beers is getting extra time. In that case, it is another clear symptom that your refrigerator needs repairing. If it takes too long to reach the proper refrigeration temperature, food will spoil, and your electricity bill cost will also be increased.
Therefore, if you observe that your food is spoiled, immediately contact a technician to minimize losses.
4) Your Freezer is Freezing Over
Your refrigerator should freeze your food instead of freezing itself. If your freezer door freezes to the point of clogging or freezing, in such cases, you can unplug the refrigerator to remove ice from the freezing point.
If the above condition continues after the completion of melting, this is a symptom that your refrigerator needs repairing. In such a condition, you should contact a technician for its repairing.
5) Excessive Noise and Vibration
Noise and vibrating can sometimes be a normal part of the refrigerator working, but these noises should be low enough to barely be heard.
If you hear excessive loud or vague noise, this is a sign of a problem with your refrigerator. In such a situation, the refrigerator and the food it contains may be at risk. In many situations, you can eliminate excessive vibration simply by squeezing loose parts or adjusting your refrigerant feet.
If the noise and vibration are out of control, you must call a technician for its repair.
6) Higher utility bill than normal
If your utility bill seems higher than normal, this may cause due to the inefficient refrigerator. This is because when your refrigerator takes a long time to generate cooling than normal, the utility bill may come higher than normal.
If you are trying to increase the performance of your refrigerator but you are unable to achieve the required performance, you should replace your refrigerator.
7) Your refrigerator has no power
If your refrigerator is not receiving power, ensure the refrigerator is properly plugged into the power switch. After inspection, if your refrigerator is still not getting power, make a call to the technician and ask him to sort out this power.
How to quiet a noisy refrigerator
Your refrigerator may generate noise due to many reasons. Therefore, before taking any step, you need to find the reason for the refrigerator noise. After finding the noise reason, next you need to fix it.
If you don’t know how to fix it, you need to call your technician and ask him to fix it.
Following is given some methods through that you can quiet your noisy refrigerator.
1) Soundproof the inside of the refrigerator
The evaporator fans and compressor of your refrigerator may generate a lot of noise due to any damage or lose parts. The soundproofing inside the refrigerator can significantly reduce the noise of your fridge.
2) Use of MLV
Cover the inner side of the refrigerator with MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl). MLV is sound-absorbing material. It is a most applicable solution to reduce air noise. You may also utilize the MLV to cover the motor of the condenser.
3) Reposition the refrigerator
Your refrigerator may also produce noise due to its improper placement or position. Because due to poor position, your refrigerator can vibrate excessively, which can produce high noise. Therefore, proper placement of the refrigerator can eliminate unusual noise and vibration.
4) Use white noises
You can also use a white noise machine to temporarily eliminating the refrigerator noise. This machine eliminates the buzzing sound of the refrigerator.
5) Clean the refrigerator fans and compressor
With time, dust can build up around the compressor and fan of your refrigerator and cause a malfunction. Due to this malfunction, your fridge can produce extreme noise. Therefore, it is better to clean the compressor and fan regularly to avoid dust build-up and compressor noise.
6) Replace fan motor
The condenser fans are connected with a motor. This motor gives power to the fans and rotates them. As these fans start rotating, cooling starts generating for the condenser coils. If this condenser motor damages, it stops working or starts producing extreme noise. In such a condition, you should replace it as soon as possible.
7) Fill the fridge with items
Sometimes, your fridge starts producing noise due to its empty containers. You can minimize the compressor noise by placing different products such as drinks and food in the refrigerator.
Empty refrigerators can open and close from time to time, but full refrigerators don’t open or close because they need to keep their contents cool.
8) Replace the Compressor
The refrigerator compressor converts the refrigerant into high-pressure vapor. If your refrigerant compressor is damaged, your refrigerator will start producing extensive noise. Try to fix the compressor or replace it with a new one.
9) Isolate to your refrigerator
If your fridge is continuously generating high noise and you cannot resolve it, one most popular method is to isolate your fridge. You can quiet your refrigerator by isolating it into a separate room.
10) Replace your fridge with a low noisy or quiet fridge
If you have tried all other methods to make quiet to your refrigerator, you should buy a new refrigerator with very low or no noise. This is because some fridges have high age due to that they start producing noise.
Therefore, if your fridge is also very older and produces high noise, replace it with a new and less noisy fridge.
How to Install a Refrigerator Compressor
If you want to install your new refrigerator compressor then follow the following steps:
Step 1 – Remove the old Compressor: –
Before installing a new compressor, you need to remove the old compressor. For the removal of the old refrigerator compressor, follow the below-given steps:
- Remove the plug of your fridge from the power switch.
- Eliminate all the products such as food and drinks from the refrigerator.
- Pull the refrigerator away from the wall so that you can easily remove the old compressor.
- Eliminate the refrigerator’s back panel.
- Now find the compressor on the backside of the refrigerator. Most probably, it will be on the fridge’s bottom.
- Remove the compressor’s power cord and also eliminate the cover that provides safety to the electric parts.
- Detach the overload protector, capacitor, and relay.
- Remove the refrigerant by connecting a perforating valve to the operating pipe.
- Eliminate the manifold valve.
- Eliminate the discharge and suction tubes
- Now eliminate the compressor and filter.
Step 2 – Rewire: –
Connect the cords of your compressor with the refrigerator. Install your new compressor in its place and carefully reconnect the power cords to hold them in place.
Step 3 – Add Refrigerant: –
Now add refrigerant into your compressor. Refrigerant is very important for the cooling process in your fridge. Adding refrigerant is a complete process in itself. Follow the instruction copy of your refrigerator’s manufacturer and add the refrigerant according to that.
Don’t worry if you have lost your manufacturer’s instructions; you can find all of this information online.
Step 4 – Valves Connection: –
During the removal of the old compressor, you have removed the valves. Now it’s time to reconnect the valves in their place.
Step 5 – Test: –
After installing your refrigerator compressor, you need to do a test to check whether it’s working fine or not. Now put back the guard panel on the refrigerator’s back and insert the refrigerator plug into the power connection switch.
Give some time to your compressor, then check either all things are going fine or not.
How much is a new compressor for a refrigerator?
A compressor is the most important part of the fridge. It plays an important role in the cooling process. The price of the new refrigerator compressor depends on many factors, such as the model of your refrigerator, the area where you live, and your country.
Typically, the price of the new compressor is $50-$300. The price of a new refrigerator compressor is $200-$450, including labor.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Refrigerator Compressor?
A compressor is a most vital part of the refrigerator. It works as an electronic pump that flows refrigerant into the whole system. Therefore, it is important to repair a faulty fridge compressor before it becomes worse for you.
The cost of compressor repairing varies according to many factors. Generally, the repairing cost of a thermostat refrigerator compressor is $100 while an ice maker has $300 to 350$ repairing cost.
Fridge Repair Cost
The repair cost of the fridge depends on many factors. Typically, the national average fridge repair cost is $200-$330. Many Owners pay $40 while some pay approximately $1000 for the fridge repairing.
The repairing cost depends on what you want to fix. In the following table, you can see the low, high, and average costs for repairing the fridge.
| Low Cost | $40 |
| High Cost | $1,000 |
| Average Cost | $250 |
FAQ Section
How much does refrigerator maintenance cost?
The maintenance cost of the refrigerator depends on the required maintenance type. Typically, the average maintenance cost is $200-$300. In some areas, the technician charges $45-$120 for an hour. In some places, the technicians also charge $150 -$200 for the full maintenance of your refrigerator.
Is it worth it to repair a refrigerator?
The repairing of the fridge is very important if you want your fridge to continue working without any problem. The refrigerator repair is beneficial for you if your refrigerator repairing price is lower than a new refrigerant. You should repair your fridge if it is less than eight years old.
What is the average life expectancy of a refrigerator?
Maximum refrigerators have a service life from 10 years to 15 years. Some companies also provide fridges which have life from 16 to 27 years if you properly maintain them.
What would cause a refrigerator to stop cooling?
If your refrigerator is not producing cooling, it may have different reasons. Your refrigerator can’t produce cooling due to failure of the compressor, evaporator fans, condenser or expansion valve, etc. Sometimes, it doesn’t work because of the clogged coils. Sometimes, your fridge doesn’t produce cooling properly due to an improper connection with the power supply switch.
When should I replace a refrigerator?
You need to replace your refrigerator if it is more than 15 years old. Some companies are delivering refrigerators that have a service life of up to 27 years.
Different companies have different cots for a new refrigerator, but the average cost is between $1,000- $1,500.
What are some signs the refrigerator needs service?
Following are some signs that represent that your refrigerator needs service:
- Extreme compressor noise
- Overheating problems with the condensation fans
- Evaporator malfunction
- Extreme vibration
- Inadequate cooling production
- Fridge gets more time for cooling than normal.
How do you know if your refrigerator compressor is bad?
If your refrigerator is not cooling products such as food and water, there are many chances that your compressor has been damaged.
Another way to determine if there is a problem with the compressor is to pull the refrigerator away from the wall a little and listen carefully. If you hear a slight hum while the motor is running, but the temperature is more than usual, there may be an issue with the compressor.
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