Do you ever unplug your refrigerator when you’re not using it? You may have heard that doing this can damage the appliance, but is that true? We’ll look at what happens when you unplug a refrigerator and find out if it’s something you should worry about. Here’s the answer you’ve been looking for:
Unplugging your refrigerator doesn’t damage it. But it will cause the refrigerator to run longer since the compressor will have to work harder to cool the contents. This overrunning could shorten the life of the compressor.
Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to understand about unplugging your refrigerator and its impact on the appliance. To keep your appliance safe, keep reading for more detailed information!
Is It Bad To Unplug A Refrigerator? What Are The Possible Dangers?
It’s not bad to unplug a refrigerator, but it is unnecessary. Most refrigerators today have an energy-saving feature that allows them to turn off automatically when not in use. So if you’ll be away from home for an extended period, turn off the fridge completely rather than unplugging it. This will help ensure that your food stays cold and doesn’t spoil while you’re gone.
Appliances like refrigerators have many moving parts, and when they’re turned off, these parts can finally get some well-deserved rest. This means your fridge will last longer and run more efficiently when you unplug it. When going on vacation or leaving home for a long time, feel free to give your fridge a break too!
Now, plugging or unplugging your refrigerator when it’s not in use has several aspects that you must understand. If you don’t want to risk your refrigerator’s performance and well-being, here’s what can potentially go wrong if you carelessly unplug it:
- Your Food Could Go Bad
Your fridge is designed to keep food cold, and when it’s not plugged in, the food inside will start to warm up and cause bacteria to grow, leading to food poisoning. Unplugging your fridge can cause the seal around the door to fail, allowing warm air to enter and further speeding up the spoiling process.
So if you’ll be away for more than a few hours, it’s best to leave your fridge plugged in or empty it completely. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy your food when you get back without having to worry about making a trip to the grocery store first.
- Your Fridge Could Start Leaking
As anyone who has ever unplugged and then re-plugged a refrigerator knows, this appliance can start leaking water after being unplugged. This leaking happens because the seal around the door is no longer airtight once the power is cut off. Without the constant flow of cold air, the warm air from outside begins to seep in, causing the refrigerator to start sweating.
Refrigerator leaking can be a real problem if the fridge is unplugged for a long time, as it can cause water damage to the floor and surrounding cabinets. However, you can easily prevent this problem by ensuring the fridge is properly sealed before unplugging it.
- Electricity Could Spike And Damage Your Fridge
A big potential hazard of unplugging your refrigerator is that a sudden surge of electricity could damage this appliance. If there is a power outage while the refrigerator is unplugged and then power is restored, your fridge can undergo an electricity spike. The sudden influx of electricity can cause components within the fridge to overheat or break. Sometimes, this can lead to a fire when your fridge gets overheated.
To avoid this risk, always plug your fridge into a surge protector so if there is an electrical spike, the surge protector will absorb the excess energy and prevent it from reaching your fridge.
- You Could Break The Seal On Your Fridge, Making It Less Energy Efficient
When you unplug your fridge, the seal that keeps the cold air in and the warm air out is broken. This can lead to your fridge using more energy to stay cold, as it has to work harder to replace the lost, cold air.
In addition, unplugging your fridge can cause the compressor to overheat, damaging the appliance and shortening its lifespan. That’s why you must be careful when unplugging your fridge and do so only when necessary. Otherwise, you could end up doing more harm than good.
How Long Can a Refrigerator Be Unplugged?
You can unplug your refrigerator for up to 4 hours without ruining the food inside. If you keep this appliance unplugged for longer, it’s best to transfer all of the food into a cooler with ice packs, so it doesn’t rot. As long as the inside of your refrigerator is above 40° F, your food will be safe to eat.
However, for every hour your refrigerator is unplugged, you’ll want to avoid opening the door to maintain that cool temperature. If you don’t open the fridge for four hours or more, your food should be fine!
Of course, using these rules of thumb, assume that your fridge is packed with foods at similar temperatures. If you have many warm items in there (like a large casserole dish), then it’s best to err on caution and assume it will only stay safe for two hours without power.
Most people believe that unplugging their refrigerator will help save energy and money, but it’s not always the case. If you unplug your fridge for more than four hours, your food will start to go bad, and you’ll have to deal with a lot of waste. The same thing happens if you keep opening and closing the door frequently. While it may seem like a good way to save energy, you’re wasting more by letting all the cold air out each time you open the door.
In addition, unplugging your fridge can also cause damage to the compressor. So, unless you have a valid reason for doing so, it’s best to leave your fridge plugged in and running smoothly.
Does Unplugging A Refrigerator Reset It?
Yes, unplugging a refrigerator can reset it. When a fridge is plugged in, it runs on a compressor that continuously cycles on and off to keep the fridge cold. If something is wrong with the compressor, the fridge will start making strange noises or won’t cool properly. Unplugging the fridge for 30-50 minutes will reset its compressor and may fix this problem.
If you unplug your refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, it will reset and should start working again. This is a good troubleshooting technique if your fridge is acting up. It’s also good to unplug the fridge every few months and vacuum any dust build-up to keep it running efficiently and prevent potential problems. Of course, unplugging won’t do any good if the issue is with the power outlet or wiring. But if something has gone awry with the fridge itself, a reset can sometimes do the trick.
Important Tips Before Unplugging A Refrigerator
You’ve probably unplugged your refrigerator at some point to move it or clean behind it. But have you ever stopped thinking about everything that goes into keeping your food cold? Here are a few things to remember when you unplug your fridge:
Clean Out Your Fridge
Before unplugging your fridge for a move or deep cleaning, clean it out completely. Any food left inside will spoil quickly, and the moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. To avoid this, remove all food items and shelves, and wash everything down with a mix of warm water and vinegar. This will help to remove any potential contaminants and prevent them from spreading to other areas of your fridge. Once everything is dry, you can safely unplug the fridge and prepare it for transport or storage.
Defrost Your Freezer
Before you unplug your fridge, defrost it first. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the appliance. The coils in the fridge can become frozen, making it difficult for the fridge to cool properly when you plug it back in. Also, the ice can prevent the doors from sealing, leading to higher energy bills.
To defrost your fridge, turn it off and open the doors. The ice will melt within a few hours. Then, wipe down the interior with a damp cloth to remove any remaining water before plugging the fridge back in.
Final Thoughts
As the world increasingly relies on technology, it is important to remember the importance of unplugging. Refrigerators are one of the most commonly used appliances in the home, and they use a lot of energy. Unplugging your refrigerator can save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. But before doing so, thoroughly clean and defrost your refrigerator to avoid this mess. So next time you go on vacation or want to save some money, be sure to unplug your fridge.
FAQS
Does turning a fridge on and off damage it? Most experts agree that regularly turning a fridge on and off can shorten its lifespan. This is because the constant temperature change can strain the appliance, leading to parts wearing out faster. If you need to turn your fridge off for a while (for example, when cleaning it), let it warm up to room temperature gradually so as not to stress the components.
Should you leave a fridge door open when unplugged? It’s generally not a good idea to leave the door of a fridge open when it’s unplugged. Fridges rely on insulation to keep cold air in and warm air out, and having the door open can let warm air in and cold air out, potentially causing the fridge to work harder to stay cool.
Is it OK to leave the refrigerator unplugged for a month? It is not OK to leave the refrigerator unplugged for a month because electricity is necessary to keep the food cold and to prevent bacteria from growing. But if you empty the fridge before keeping it unplugged for a month, it’s okay to do it!
