Your fridge freezer will be one of the most hardworking appliances in your home. It’s constantly running and houses all of the fresh and frozen food for you and your family, so it’s important that it is well looked after and maintained. Where you keep your appliance and the ambient temperature will have a big impact on the way that it runs. Many people don’t realise how much goes into running a fridge freezer, it’s not just a case of plugging it in and leaving it.

This blog post will go through everything you need to know about looking after your fridge freezer. We will help you to understand ambient temperatures, choose the right location and ensure that you’re looking after your appliance properly to keep your food fresh and safe. 

Understanding How Fridge Freezers Work

Although fridge freezers have been around since the 1940s, most people are unaware of how they work. Once you find out how they work, it is much easier to understand how to look after and maintain them. 

Fridge freezers work by removing any heat from inside the appliance and releasing it into the surrounding air. Each compartment runs at a different temperature, but they work in the same way. This process helps keep your fresh food cold and safe and your frozen food frozen. Your fridge freezer depends on the conditions around it to work optimally. A steady internal temperature can be maintained as long as the heat can escape easily. This is why it is essential that there is enough ventilation around the appliance. You should always consult the user manual for your specific appliance but fridge freezers generally require around 2-5cm of space for ventilation at the sides and the back and 10cm at the top. This allows the hot air to escape and prevents overheating.

If the appliance gets too hot and starts to overheat then it will have to work harder to get rid of the excess heat. This process ends up using more energy and all of the components will be working harder in order to cool the fridge freezer down. This means that you’ll end up with a higher electricity bill and your appliance may not last as long/will need more maintenance.

What is Ambient Temperature and Why Does It Matter?

If you’ve looked in your user manual, you may have noticed the ambient temperature or climate class guide. This may seem confusing at first, but it’s really easy to understand. The ambient temperature refers to the temperature of the room or area where your fridge freezer is situated. Each refrigeration appliance is designed to operate within a specific temperature range. It’s important that you understand the climate class for your specific fridge freezer.

Most fridge freezers in the UK are designed for indoor use only. This means they should be placed inside the home and not in other areas such as garages, outbuildings or sheds. Typically, the ambient temperature range for a fridge freezer is between 10°C and 32°C. If the temperature of the area in which your appliance is situated drops below 10°C or reaches higher than 32°C, this is when you will start to encounter issues. Always consult your user manual for your appliance.

If The Room is Too Cold

If your fridge freezer is placed in a room that is too cold such as a garage, outbuilding or shed, then this can confuse the thermostat. In a fridge freezer, the thermostat is most likely located in the fridge. If the surrounding area is too cold, then the thermostat will sense the cold air and will believe that the appliance is cool enough so the compressor will be switched off. So, whilst the air outside of the fridge freezer may be cold, the temperatures inside will be rising. Your freezer compartment will start to defrost and fresh food will not be stored at a safe temperature. 

Extremely cold temperatures can also have an effect on the compressor. In some cases, severe cold temperatures can thicken the compressor’s oil. When this happens, the compressor won’t be able to work properly and can cause the appliance to overheat or breakdown.

If The Room is Too Hot

If your fridge freezer is placed in a room that is too hot or is in direct sunlight, the compressor will be working a lot harder to cool the air. When the appliance is working harder to stay cool, the energy consumption increases leading to higher electricity bills. When the components are working harder there’s also the risk of them wearing out faster. 

Where Should You Put A Fridge Freezer?

The ideal placement for a fridge freezer is the kitchen. Kitchens are often designed with appliances in mind and you’ll find that there is an ideal placement with an available electrical socket. The consistent temperature of a kitchen means that the appliance will run efficiently.

It’s important that you always place your fridge freezer in a well ventilated area within the recommended ambient temperature. Avoid garages, sheds or outbuildings that will be too cold and avoid warmer rooms such as conservatories. You should also ensure that your fridge freezer is not located near any heat source. This includes radiators, fireplaces, heaters, direct sunlight, cookers, ovens and hobs.

Your fridge freezer should be placed on a stable, flat surface. If placed on an uneven surface, you may notice vibrations or noise. If you need to use the adjustable feet that come with your appliance, you can consult the user manual for help. Never place a fridge freezer on carpet as this will block airflow and could cause overheating. 

The same rules apply to separate fridges and freezers. If you’re specifically looking for an appliance that you can keep in a garage or outbuilding, always double check the ambient temperature. Most chest freezers are suitable for garages and outbuildings, however tall freezers are often not. If you are unsure of where the appliance you are looking at can be installed, you can always contact our customer service team. 

Care and Maintenance

Once you’ve determined the ideal location for your fridge freezer, you’ll need to ensure you are taking care of it during its lifetime. Regular maintenance is essential and will help to prolong the life of your appliance. Here are some ways you can take care of your fridge freezer:

• Check the thermostat - Keep an eye on the temperature that your appliance is set to. You may find that you need to adjust it depending on the ambient temperature of the room. There could also be a chance that someone has knocked it or tampered with it. 
• Regularly defrost - Depending on the type of fridge freezer that you have, you may need to defrost the freezer compartment a couple of times a year. If you’re not sure how to do this, we have a handy guide to defrosting your freezer.
• Organise your food - If you organise your food properly and don’t overfill then this will allow sufficient air flow. If there is no air flow, then this can lead to uneven temperatures. We have a guide to organising your fridge that you can follow.
• Avoid storing hot food - If you need to store food that has been cooked, allow it to cool down to room temperature before you place it in the fridge or freezer. Warm food will raise the internal temperature and make the appliance work harder to cool it down. 
• Clean door seals and condenser coils - Every couple of months you should clean your door seals and condenser coils. Clean off any dust or debris that may be building it. You should also take this opportunity to check for any damage.