Is your refrigerator running constantly? Here is how to fix it.

Refrigerator is designed to run efficiently, keep your food at desired temperatures and to minimize energy usage. Its compressor and fans may cause your refrigerator to run longer than it should.

If it seems like your refrigerator runs constantly, you can check for the following:

  • Freezer temperature

If the freezer temperature is above 10°F, the refrigerator will not be cold enough. If the refrigerator is not cold enough, it will work harder to cold down. As a result, it will run constantly. The freezer temperature should be set between 0 and 5°F.

  • Door gasket

If the refrigerator or freezer door gasket is worn, cool air could be escaping from the compartments and warm moist air could be entering causing the evaporator coils to frost over. You can replace the old door gasket with a new one to solve the problem.

  • Condenser coils

To cool the air inside the compartments, refrigerators use a compressor to pump refrigerant through two different kinds of coils. The condenser coils usually located at the bottom of the appliance, and the evaporator coils normally found behind the rear panel. The refrigerant in gas form is first pumped into the condenser coils, where the gas is condensed into a hot liquid. The condenser coils dissipate the heat as the liquid travels through them. Over time, these coils will collect dust dirt and hair preventing the coils from properly dissipating the heat. When this happens, the compressor will continue to run since it is unable to cool the compartments efficiently. You can use a condenser coil brush to clean off the coils periodically to ensure optimum refrigerator operation. Once the refrigerant has passed through the condenser coils and a capillary tube, it travels to the evaporator coils, where the liquid expands into a gas making the coils cold.

If you have checked all the points above but your refrigerator still running constantly, you are welcome to contact us (818) 600-2559 to schedule an appointment with our professional technician.

Things that might be causing the issue:

  • Defective defrost heater assembly

The evaporator coils collect frost as the air passes through them to cool the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Since frost build-up can cause airflow problems, the coils require periodic defrosting. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the evaporator coils will frost over, restricting airflow and causing the compressor to run continuously. You can use a multi-meter to test the defrost heater for continuity. A continuous electrical path present in the component. If the heater tests negative for continuity, it will need to be replaced with the new one.

  • Malfunctioning defrost thermostat

The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. When the temperature drops to a set level, the contacts in the thermostat close and allow voltage to power the defrost heater. A malfunctioning thermostat may prevent the heater from working. As with the heater assembly, you can use a multi-meter to test the thermostat for continuity to determine if the part is defective. Keep in mind you will need to test the thermostat at a temperature of 15 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for a proper reading.

  • Defective evaporator fan motor

The evaporator fan motor draws air over the coils to cool it and circulates the air through the freezer and refrigerator compartments. A defective evaporator fan motor could cause the compressor to run excessively. If the motor is unusually noisy when the refrigerator is running, or the fan blade does not turn freely, you should replace the motor with a new one. You can also test the evaporator fan motor for continuity to determine if the part is failed electrically.

  • Malfunctioning condenser fan motor

A malfunctioning condenser fan motor can cause the same problem by failing to draw air past the condenser coils. Check for a broken fan blade or a blade that does not turn freely. If the motor is receiving power but does not run, then the motor has probably failed electrically.

According to research, refrigerator normal running time depends on:

  • Air temperature and humidity. In extremely hot, humid areas, run time may approach 100%.
  • The load of the refrigerator. If the refrigerator is loaded with a large amount of hot food or lightly loaded, it will increase running time.
  • Door gaskets. If the door gaskets are damaged or dirty, it will increase running time as well.
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