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why does the back of a refrigerator feel warm

by Dr. Selmer Ratke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The refrigerator heat exhaust is that vent under your fridge where the warm air is coming from. This is the end of a short duct from the coils which are cold inside the fridge and hot outside the fridge. This configuration is also why you might notice excess heat coming from the back of your fridge as well.

Full Answer

Why is my Refrigerator warn than cold?

Dirty coils often result in a refrigerator that is too warm — not too cold. But sometimes it can cause your fridge to work overtime and end up being colder. You can clean dust off the coils by removing the plate at the bottom or back of your refrigerator to access the coils.

Why is my Refrigerator not getting cold enough?

Whirlpool Refrigerator and Freezer Not Cooling – How to Fix

  1. Condenser Coils Are Dirty. Check the condenser coils to see if they are dirty. ...
  2. Evaporator Fan Motor is Bad. If the fan blades don’t spin freely or if the motor is noisy, then you know the motor is bad. ...
  3. Start Relay Is Acting Up. ...
  4. Condenser Fan Motor Is Faulty. ...
  5. Thermistor Is Defective. ...
  6. Start Capacitor Needs Changing. ...

More items...

Why is your refrigerator blowing warm air?

A Guide to Causes, Fixes, and When to Say Goodbye

  • Checking the Easy Stuff First. Sometimes there is nothing broken about your fridge, despite the fact that it isn’t cool. ...
  • Refrigerator Problems and How to Repair Them. A warm refrigerator isn’t always an obvious fix. ...
  • Refrigerator Compressor. ...
  • Condenser Coils. ...
  • Condenser Fan. ...
  • Evaporator Fan. ...
  • Air Damper. ...

Why does my Refrigerator run most of the time?

Top 7 Reasons Your Refrigerator Runs All the Time

  1. Can’t Maintain Proper Freezer Temperature. Your refrigerator is designed to keep the freezer compartment at or below 10 degrees F. ...
  2. Faulty Heater Assembly. The defrost heater assembly is designed to cycle on periodically to melt any frost that may be accumulating on the evaporator coils.
  3. Failed Defrost Thermostat. ...
  4. Leaky Door. ...
  5. Failed Evaporator Fan Motor. ...

More items...

Why Is Your Refrigerator Warm?

How to check if evaporator fan is working?

What is the purpose of evaporator coils in refrigerators?

What is an electronic control board?

Can you fix a refrigerator control board?

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Is it normal for back of fridge to be hot?

You may notice that the outside of your fridge feels warm. This is normal and is caused by the heat dissipated from the refrigeration process.

Why is it hot behind a refrigerator and cold inside?

Refrigerators generate heat during the process of making cold air. In order to cool this heat down, heat dissipation pipes are installed on both outer walls of the refrigerator, so when the product is operated, heat is generated on the side walls of the refrigerator.

Can a fridge overheat?

If the temperature thermostat fails, it'll tell the compressor to keep working all the time even when it doesn't have to. As the compressor works harder and longer than usual, it'll eventually start to overheat. Typically, your fridge will either have a mechanical thermostat or an electrical one.

Are fridges supposed to be hot on the sides?

It is normal for the top and sides of the unit to be warm or hot to the touch during normal operation. Make sure that you have an inch of air space around the case to allow good airflow. This is normal. Part of the cooling process is removing heat from inside the refrigerator.

Why side walls of the Frigidaire refrigerator are very hot?

Why Are the Side Walls of My Refrigerator Very Hot? The sides of some refrigerators will heat up because of the condenser coils that are installed in their side walls. The condenser coils become warm or slightly hot because within them is where the gas refrigerant condenses and liquefies.

Why is the back of my freezer hot?

As the refrigerant expands to absorb heat from the inside, it is then compressed and heated well above the surrounding temp, in order for the surrounding temp to absorb the temps gained from the inside.

How do you clean dirty condenser coils on a refrigerator?

0:152:13How to Clean the Condenser Coil on a Refrigerator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore performing any internal repairs in refrigerator you'll want to make sure to unplug. It. NextMoreBefore performing any internal repairs in refrigerator you'll want to make sure to unplug. It. Next we remove the back panel from the refrigerator. With the back of the fridge removed.

How do you vacuum coils under refrigerator?

How to clean refrigerator coils: A step-by-step guideStep 1: Gently pull the refrigerator away from the wall. ... Step 2: Unplug the refrigerator. ... Step 3: Locate the coils. ... Step 4: Start vacuuming. ... Step 5: Use the paintbrush to remove any stubborn bits of dirt. ... Step 6: Vacuum up all the dirt you knocked loose onto the floor.More items...•

Freezer Is Cold But Refrigerator Is Warm. How to Fix the Problem?

Refrigerator not cooling but freezer is fine. If your freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm, it is possible that the parts that cool the refrigerator and freezer are working properly.Instead, the problem may reside in the air that is already getting to the freezer also getting to the refrigerator.

Refrigerator or Freezer That’s Too Warm: Top 6 Reasons and Fixes ...

8 Reasons Your Refrigerator or Freezer is Too Warm. For safety, always unplug or shut off the power to your appliance before performing any maintenance, and to avoid a mess, make sure you’ve turned off the appliance’s water supply, as well, which you can do from under your sink.Once that’s done, you can get started. 1. Condenser Coils. The condenser coils are a set of copper tubes on the ...

How To Fix A Refrigerator That's Too Warm - PartSelect

Find out what can cause the fridge section to become too warm and learn how to fix this problem. Start with checking that the temperature in the freezer has risen. To help with your repair we’ve put together some of the common parts, which may be the cause of your warm refrigerator. With our assistance, repairing your fridge is a simple do-it-yourself project.

Refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm

The defrost heater assembly turns on a few times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will become plugged with frost.

What is the heat exhaust on a refrigerator?

Refrigerator Heat Exhaust. The refrigerator heat exhaust is that vent under your fridge where the warm air is coming from. This is the end of a short duct from the coils which are cold inside the fridge and hot outside the fridge. This configuration is also why you might notice excess heat coming from the back of your fridge as well.

How does a refrigerator fan affect the heat?

The circulation fan that pushes air over the cold coils and directs the hot air out the lower vent is essential for regulating heat for the condenser. If the fan of your refrigerator exhaust may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced.

Why do refrigerators have air filters?

Some refrigerators are designed with an additional filter meant to protect the coils from exposure to dust and the inevitable blanket. If your refrigerator has an air filter, keeping it clean will improve the performance of the condensers over time. Unlike the HVAC, kitchen appliances tend to have metal screens that are washed instead of replaced. You can spray the screen clear with a hose or the sprayer in your sink and you may be able to run it through the dishwasher. If the screen is damaged or corroded, order a replacement.

Why does my refrigerator heat up?

The harder the condenser works to keep the inside of the refrigerator cool, the more heat is released in the process. If your fridge is old or dirty or if your kitchen is enclosed, it’s more likely to heat up the whole room. This can be a real problem, especially during warmer months.

How does air work in a refrigerator?

Air is then blown over the cool coils. The cold air is blown into your fridge and the breeze warms the coils until they’re ready to cycle and decompress again. But that heat in the reaction has to be sent somewhere away from the cold compartment of your refrigerator. Most fridges are designed to channel the waste-heat created out ...

Where is the vent on a fridge?

That somewhere is a vent at the bottom of your fridge. But if the heat under your fridge is worryingly hot or you just want to know what’s up, we’re here to offer an easy explanation.

What does it mean to make something cold?

One of the interesting things about physics is that you have to make heat to make cold. Cold is the absence of heat, which means to make something cold we have to remove heat from it. This is what the refrigerator condenser does. Behind your refrigerator is a very large coiling tube. This tube contains coolant fluid that is forcibly expanded ...

How does a compressor affect a refrigerator?

Upon exiting the fridge, a compressor increases the refrigerant's pressure a lot and thereby increases the thermal energy per volume , so the same pipe length on the outside now has more cooling potential (Feels hotter.) than if the refrigerant would still be uncompressed. But what matters more is that this increase in pressure forces the substance to return to its liquid form, which effects the opposite of what happened when it changed into gaseous form: Instead of absorbing additional energy, energy is released. The compressor is kinda telling the refrigerant to throw out more of the thermal energy it is carrying.

How does a heat pump work?

The basic principle of the heat pump is that a fluid is compressed and gives off heat in the process and when being expanded absorbs heat from the environment. In the fridge the fluid is being compressed while flowing through pipes on the back outside and is expanded while flowing through the inside .

Why does refrigerant change from liquid to gas?

The refrigerant transitions from liquid to gaseous form because of the increase in temperature. This state transition, an emergence effect, requires additional energy - not just the energy that just happens to heat the liquid, but extra energy that jump-starts the change to gaseous form. So this absorbs even more of the compartment's warmth.

How does a fridge get heated?

Anyway: Inside the fridge's pipes, there's a substance that is heated by the overall warmth in the fridge's compartment, then it is transported to the outside where it releases that heat, then it goes in again. Like a conveyor belt for thermal energy.

How does a cold machine work?

The idea is that you take heat (energy) from a place and move it somewhere else. The place where you took the energy from becomes colder and where you put it becomes hotter.

Where is the heat dumped in a refrigerator?

In fridges the heat is dumped into the metal grating at the back. Same with a AC unit, if you stand nearby you should feel warmer air.

Is refrigerant cold or liquid?

The refrigerant is cold and in liquid form inside the fridge. The thermal energy of the compartment spreads into the cool liquid, so the thermal energy that remains in the compartment itself is now lower.

Why does my refrigerator turn hot?

Malfunctioning condenser fan. Some refrigerator models (typically no-frost models) have a fan that helps cool down the condenser. If this fan malfunctions in any way, it can cause the sides of your refrigerator to turn hot. Check if the condenser fan is running freely.

How does a refrigerator work?

How a refrigerator works. Refrigerators work by harnessing the power of the evaporation process to cool down their compartments. It does this by continuously evaporating and condensing a refrigerant gas that runs through copper tubes inside the refrigerator .

How much space does a refrigerator need?

Your refrigerator needs a ventilation space of around 50mm (2 inches) of space at the sides and the rear, and 100mm (4 inches) at the top to make the transfer of heat efficient. If your refrigerator does not have this breathing space, the heat coming from the condenser may reflect off the wall – causing the ambient temperature around ...

What is the part of a refrigerator that takes off heat?

The copper tubes are called the evaporator (the part that takes off the heat a.k.a makes things cold), and the condenser (the part that transfers the heat to the exterior). The heat you feel coming from the sides of your refrigerator is from the condenser and the copper tubing leading up to it.

Where is the fan located on a refrigerator?

To properly diagnose your problem, check the condenser fan located either at the following locations: (1) at the back, (2) beside the compressor, or (3) inside the back panel of the fridge. For #3, you may have to have it checked by a technician or an authorized customer service personnel from your refrigerator’s brand.

Does my refrigerator have a condenser fan?

Note: if your condenser coils are exposed at the back, then your refrigerator does not have a condenser fan.

1. Condenser Coils

The condenser coils are a set of copper tubes on the back of your refrigerator. They condense refrigerant into its liquid form, causing it to release its heat, which keeps the inside of your appliance cool.

2. Cold Control

The cold control allows you to set the temperature for your refrigerator and freezer. It’s accessed from inside your refrigerator, on the control panel. Though usually the only part you see is the knob, it also includes a temperature sensor and a set of contacts that tell the refrigerator when to run the compressor.

3. Defrost Timer

This component controls the defrost cycle in the refrigerator, helping to keep the evaporator free of icy build up. If the defrost timer has gone bad, your appliance’s evaporator may freeze up, preventing cold air from moving through the unit. Usually, when this part is bad, the refrigerator will be slightly warmer than the freezer.

4. Defrost Thermostat

The defrost thermostat is a safety device that measures the temperature in the freezer. It stops the defrost cycle if the interior of the appliance becomes too warm. You can usually find this small component mounted on the evaporator, behind the back wall of the freezer.

5. Defrost Heater

The defrost heater kicks on to warm the evaporator during your refrigerator’s defrost cycle. So, if it’s not working, your refrigerator’s evaporator may freeze and stop working. If this is the case, you’ll notice that, while both the freezer and fridge components will be warm, the refrigerator compartment will be warmer.

6. Evaporator Fan Motor

This small electric motor and fan blade circulates cold air throughout the refrigerator. Because of constant exposure to cold temperatures and moisture, the motor’s mechanical parts, like its bearings, will wear down over time. Evaporator fans are always attached to the evaporator, which is usually located in the freezer.

7. Run Capacitor

This is a small device that supplies extra energy to the compressor so that it runs as efficiently as possible. If the capacitor has failed, the compressor may not be able to continue running after an initial start up. If the compressor isn’t running as much as it needs to, or if it’s shutting off too soon, you may want to check the capacitor.

Why Is Your Refrigerator Warm?

Your refrigerator is specifically designed to have a consistently cool interior, which is why a warm refrigerator can be a particularly troublesome problem.

How to check if evaporator fan is working?

To inspect your evaporator fan, you should unplug the refrigerator and access the fan on the backside of the back panel of your freezer compartment. Be sure to check the fan for excessive frost, and check the fan blades for any damage. You should also check the motor shaft to see that it turns freely. If these components appear normal, you’ll want to use a multimeter to see if the fan is receiving power. This can be difficult for the average homeowner, and may require additional help from a certified home appliance repair expert.

What is the purpose of evaporator coils in refrigerators?

The refrigerator’s evaporator coils help produce cold air for the appliance. This process can create frost, which plugs up the coils and prevents them from working properly.

What is an electronic control board?

Electronic control boards are connected to temperature sensors that automatically monitor conditions in the refrigerator, using this data to control the unit’s compressor, fan motors and defrost system. Problems with your control board can cause issues in these components, resulting in failure of your refrigerator to cool.

Can you fix a refrigerator control board?

Fixing a refrigerator’s electronic control board is nearly impossible for most homeowners, as these boards feature complex designs that power many of your unit’s most important features. If you suspect a malfunctioning control board is the root of your refrigerator problems, be sure to enlist assistance from a professional home appliance repair service.

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1.Videos of Why Does the Back Of a Refrigerator Feel warm

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5 hours ago  · The refrigerator heat exhaust is that vent under your fridge where the warm air is coming from. This is the end of a short duct from the coils which are cold inside the fridge and …

2.Why Is Your Refrigerator Warm? - Universal Appliance …

Url:https://universalappliancerepair.com/why-is-refrigerator-warm/

2 hours ago In the rear of the refrigerator, the condenser (the black radiator) on the back of the refrigerator gets hot as the inside of the fresh food or freezer section gets cold. On hot days, the condenser …

3.The sides of my refrigerator feel hot. Is this normal?

Url:https://www.samsung.com/au/support/home-appliances/the-sides-of-my-refrigerator-feel-hot-is-this-normal/

2 hours ago The idea is that you take heat (energy) from a place and move it somewhere else. The place where you took the energy from becomes colder and where you put it becomes hotter. In …

4.Is My Fridge Overheating? Why Your Refrigerator is Hot …

Url:https://authorizedco.com/refrigerator-repair/is-my-fridge-overheating-why-your-refrigerator-is-hot-underneath/

15 hours ago  · Malfunctioning condenser fan. Some refrigerator models (typically no-frost models) have a fan that helps cool down the condenser. If this fan malfunctions in any way, it …

5.Why do the back of refrigerators feel warm? : …

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/4xz70d/why_do_the_back_of_refrigerators_feel_warm/

2 hours ago The defrost heater kicks on to warm the evaporator during your refrigerator’s defrost cycle. So, if it’s not working, your refrigerator’s evaporator may freeze and stop working. If this is the case, …

6.Why Are The Sides Of My Refrigerator Hot? - 101appliance

Url:https://101appliance.com/why-are-the-sides-of-my-refrigerator-hot/

30 hours ago  · So the back will become hot. <><><> Any fridge - or freezer - is designed to keep its contents cold. It does this by taking heat away from its food compartment and pumping it into …

7.Refrigerator or Freezer That’s Too Warm: Top 6 Reasons …

Url:https://www.appliancepartspros.com/b/refrigerator-or-freezer-thats-too-warm-top-6-reasons-and-fixes-with-video/

1 hours ago Why does my fridge feel warm? Refrigerator Is Too Full Your refrigerator stays at the proper temperature thanks to cold air that’s consistently circulated through the appliance. If there are …

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