Many professional appliance techs do not currently offer refrigerator sealed system repairs. At A-1 Appliance, we are certified to do sealed system work, on all brands!
What is a sealed system, and how does it work?
As described by General Electric:
A refrigerator or freezer “sealed system” is also referred to as the cooling system.
How the “sealed system” works:
- 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 or freezer, 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 continuously occurring process.
How can the sealed system fail?
The sealed system of your refrigerator can malfunction for a variety of reasons, such as an overheated system, mechanical wear and tear, leaks, or unwanted moisture entering the system. The sealed system consists of a variety of components, any of which could fail over time, due to misuse, or due to overwork. A refrigerator’s continuous thermodynamic cooling process depends on each component playing its part.
Signs You Might Need Refrigerator Sealed System Repair
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 refrigerator sealed system repairs.
- Strange chemical smells – If your refrigerator is leaking refrigerant, you might smell a musty or chemical odor.
Refrigerator sealed system repairs are not offered by all professional appliance techs.. A-1 Appliance can repair sealed systems on any brand of refrigerator.
Call us today!