Refrigerator Sealed System Operation

• The compressor compresses gas (refrigerant) and pumps it into the condenser.
• The process of compressing heats the gas.
• The hot gas is above room temperature, so the air flowing over the condenser coils cools the gas, causing it to condense into a liquid.
• The heat coming off the condenser is either blown out the front or rear of the refrigerator, depending on the model.
• From the condenser, the liquid refrigerant passes through a small diameter tube called a capillary tube.
• The capillary tube slowly meters the liquid refrigerant into the evaporator where it evaporates to produce the cooling effect.
• The refrigerant gas is then drawn out of the evaporator through a tube called the suction line by the compressor. This is a continuous process.

‍All refrigerators, from the high tech ones to a small mini-fridge to a wine cooler basically use the same type of setup to keep cold things cold. They all have a refrigerator sealed system made up of a compressor, condenser, evaporator, capillary tube, and a suction line. When everything works properly, the liquid refrigerant flows through the right parts of the system at the correct rate and pressure. Your refrigerator absorbs heat from warm food and does its job. It also removes moisture. As long as the refrigerator sealed system stays sealed and running properly, you have cold food.

If your refrigerator isn’t cooling, you’re probably already wondering if it’s worth the hassle to call an appliance repair tech. You don’t want someone who wastes your time and money on trial and error. That’s one of the best reasons to hire a company that comes with more than 6 years of experience and the right tools to do the job. Our appliance techs are trained to use sophisticated equipment to give a definitive diagnosis of any refrigerator sealed system failure that exists. That takes paying close attention to details, gathering the right readouts, and often the ability to braze copper.

You might see an appliance sale advertised and wonder if you’d be better off fixing your old refrigerator or just buying a new one. That’s a good question, and one we often help customers evaluate. The answer in your situation depends on a number of repair vs. replacement factors:

• What’s wrong with your refrigerator? Sometimes the problem is relatively minor and the fix is easy. New refrigerators are expensive, and not all of them are guaranteed to last. It’s a good idea to talk to a refrigerator repairman to find out what you’re looking at.
• How much did your refrigerator cost to begin with? If you got it secondhand for pocket change, it might not be worth paying to repair it. However, a lot of our customers have newer refrigerators with expensive technology and high-end features. They cost thousands of dollars, so it makes much more sense to make repairs that cost a few hundred dollars or less.
• What’s the age of your refrigerator? Experts say most refrigerators last between 10 to 15 years, depending on the brand and how you take care of it. If your fridge is past middle age, you might start to think in terms of replacement.
• How do that brand and style hold up? If you look up your refrigerator model and see a lot of complaints about that one, in particular, it might be that a simple repair will fix a known issue. Or, you might need to think about buying a better brand.

When a refrigerator needs sealed system repairs, often it’s because there’s a leak or malfunction within the system that makes it harder for the refrigerator to do its job. Watch for these signs your refrigerator is leaking refrigerant or has another problem with one of the components that make up your system.

• Food isn’t staying cold – If you’ve reached into your refrigerator lately and taken out food or drinks, and they didn’t feel as cold as expected, your refrigerator might not be running correctly. The first time or two it happens, you might wonder if the item or beverage hadn’t been in the fridge long enough to cool down, but if it happens repeatedly, check for a problem before you end up with spoiled groceries or food poisoning.
• Your refrigerator runs constantly – A fridge running at its peak shouldn’t have to work hard to keep food cold. If you hear your refrigerator motor running all the time, that’s a sign the system is straining to remove heat. You also might notice the back of your refrigerator feels hot to the touch.
• Your electricity bill skyrockets – It takes a significant amount of power to keep your fridge running in the best of circumstances. If you notice a sudden, unexpected jump in your electric bill, that might indicate a need for a fridge repair toronto.
• Strange chemical smells – If your refrigerator is leaking refrigerant, you might smell a musty or chemical odor.

• KitchenAid
• Whirlpool
• GE
• Kenmore
• Maytag
• Monogram
• Amana
• JennAir
• Hot Point
• Frigidaire
• Sub Zero

• Top mount refrigerators
• Bottom mount refrigerators
• Built-in refrigerators
• Side by side refrigerators
• French door refrigerators
• Under counter refrigerators