Efficient and effective refrigerators are one of the great advantages of modern life. If your refrigerator is on the fritz, it is more than an inconvenience—it’s a legitimate problem. From poor temperature regulation and leaks to noises that tell you something isn’t quite right, there are a number of valid reasons for calling a professional to fix your refrigerator. Nationally, the average refrigerator repair cost is $250.
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NOTE: The beginning half of 2021 has seen an unprecedented labor shortage as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with this, demand for materials and construction jobs has skyrocketed. As a result, material prices may be higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both labor and materials.
When you need professional help with your refrigerator, you should hire an HVAC company or appliance repair specialist. With skills and experience working with refrigeration systems, these professionals can help with anything from small fixes to bigger problems.
Standard kitchen refrigerators have an average lifespan of 14 years. With a new refrigerator/freezer combo running anywhere from $800 to $12,000, the fridge repair cost should be much less than the expense for a full replacement.
How Do Refrigerators Work?
Although the look and options with mechanical refrigerators have come a long way since they were invented in 1899, the components and mechanisms at work are much the same as they were more than one century ago: Refrigerators stay cool with the use of evaporative refrigerant chemicals. In the process of changing from a liquid to a gas through evaporation, the refrigerant temperature drops—and keeps the box where your food is stored cold, too.
To work effectively, the system needs a compressor, condenser, evaporator, capillary tube, thermostat and sealed refrigerator box so the temperature can be controlled. If any one of these parts is not working, the entire refrigeration process may suffer.
Which Professional Can Help With Refrigerator Repairs?
If you are looking for professional help with your refrigerator problem, you may wonder whether you should call an appliance repair specialist or an HVAC technician. The truth is that it depends on the nature of the problem. For a problem that seems to be more directly related to the actual appliance—meaning an issue with the control board or thermostat—then an appliance repair specialist is likely better suited. If the issue is more complex and related to the refrigerant mechanism, then an HVAC technician may be the better candidate.
If you have time, do a preliminary interview with both an appliance repair specialist and an HVAC technician to explain your problem and learn more about their experience with that kind of repair.
What Are Some Common Refrigerator Problems?
When you call a professional to help with a refrigeration system repair, you are paying for both their time and the expense of any parts that are needed for the fix. There is a direct correlation between the ease of the repair and the cost you will pay. The cost may also increase beyond the national average if your refrigerator is old or an uncommon model because both of these scenarios make it hard to find the correct replacement parts.
Water Leaking
Water leaking from the refrigerator is a sign that something isn’t right, in addition to creating a hazard for anyone walking by. That’s why it should be addressed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, a DIY fridge repair may be possible for water leaking: In many cases, the culprit is a blocked defrost drain that’s located on the back wall of the refrigerator.
Attempt to unclog the drain by using a pipe cleaner to remove the block and/or draining the hole from the inside with warm water. If you are uncomfortable attempting this or it is unsuccessful at fixing the problem, a professional should be able to help with an average cost of $100 to $440.
Refrigerator Leaking
Unlike the gas or oil in your car, the refrigerant that keeps your refrigerator running should never run out; it simply keeps cycling through the evaporation process. You may suspect there is a leak if the refrigerator isn’t staying cool. A professional can diagnose and repair a leak for an average cost of $200 to $300. This is not a job that’s possible to DIY.
Refrigerator Is Making Loud Noise
A noisy refrigerator is more than a nuisance. It’s a sign that your refrigerator is not operating efficiently, which may be costing you your utility bills because it is cycling too often. You can attempt a DIY repair on this by unplugging your refrigerator, moving it away from the wall and cleaning off the condenser coils on the backside of the refrigerator. In many cases, dust and debris on the coils are to blame—and wiping them down will get the fridge back in tip-top shape.
The refrigerator may also be cycling too often if the temperature setting is too low. It’s recommended you keep your refrigerator thermostat set to 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are in that window, but the temperature is still off, the thermostat may be the problem. This is a relatively easy fix or replacement for a professional to make with an average cost of $100 to $440.
Refrigerator Is Too Cold in Spots
If your refrigerator is doing the job of a freezer, there are a few potential problems at play. The good news is that the fix is relatively easy and even possible to DIY in many cases. Start by examining the thermostat settings, door seal and coils. If any of those need to be adjusted or repaired, it may explain why the refrigerator was freezing food items. If you are still uncertain about what is causing the problem, a professional will have the knowledge to troubleshoot other reasons—such as a problem with the damper, control board or thermostat.
What Are Common Refrigerator Repair Costs?
Depending on what exactly is the issue, refrigerator repair costs will vary. The cost may also increase beyond the national average if your refrigerator is old or an uncommon model because both of these scenarios make it hard to find the correct replacement parts.
Can I DIY Refrigerator Repair?
If you are handy with DIYs and willing to address problems with your refrigerator while avoiding major appliance repair costs, you may be able to get the job done. Some relatively easy and straightforward DIY refrigerator repair projects include cleaning the coils, unclogging the defrost drain and fixing a door gasket.
If the issue lies with the mechanical parts of internal components, such as the coils or motor, it is best to call in a refrigerator repair technician. If there is a refrigerant leak, the EPA requires a certified professional to address the problem within 30 days of the leak discovery.
As a good rule of thumb, if your refrigerator is less than eight years old or is a high-end model, it’s better to pay the price for a repair than to get a new refrigerator.
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