The compressor is a crucial component that enhances the functionality of a refrigerator. It drives the refrigerant liquid throughout the refrigerator coils during the refrigeration cycle.
If the compressor stops working, then the whole fridge becomes unfit for storing perishable foods. In most cases, the compressor might get affected due to high or unstable voltage, low refrigerant charge, dirty coils, too much refrigerant, and inadequate oil lubricants.
If the compressor is destroyed and your fridge is no longer functioning well, you may be required to either replace the compressor or buy a new fridge.
Meanwhile, the choice is yours. However, you should make a decision that will save you money and give you long-term refrigeration services. Below are a few things to guide you when you want to replace the compressor of your refrigerator;
1. The Age of Your Refrigerator
While refrigerators seem to run indefinitely, the truth is they’ve a lifespan after which they lose their cooling efficiency. Also some fridges may last longer than others.
These will depend on the brand of your fridge, handling, and maintenance. Either way, it means at one point, you will have to replace it at some point.
Knowing the life expectance of your fridge will help you determine whether a repair is more costly than buying a new one and vice versa.
Many fridges may last 10 to 15 years before breaking down or having issues. Replacing a compressor while you have a year or two left on your fridge could not be the best decision.
This is with the fact that replacing a compressor can cost almost half the price of a new fridge. Besides, most fridges come with one or two year warranty. You can benefit by having your compressor replacement the manufacturer at a zero cost.
2. Consider the Cost
Repairing a refrigerator compressor can cost you from $200 to $400 for an average appliance. For high-quality refrigerators, the cost can even be significantly higher.
This is in some cases almost half the price of a new fridge. The cost of replacing a condenser is determined by its size and whether you are buying a new or a reconditioned one.
Compressors are usually destroyed due to different faults in the refrigerating system. Replacing the condenser will require you to fix these faults to ensure your new compressor lasts longer.
This will cost you extra dollars too. However, it could be a good idea to replace a compressor of an expensive and high-quality fridge than buying a new one.
Of course, some other factors such as when you bought your appliance may be important too. If your fridge is within a warranty period then repairing maybe even free.
3. General Condition
Before Repair The general condition of your fridge is also an important factor to consider before venturing into an expensive compressor.
If your fridge is generally in bad condition, then buying a new fridge is your best option. These conditions include worn out door seals, loose door hinges, floor or dust in the cooler, destroyed coils, and the condition of the fan.
There may be no advantage of investing in an expensive condenser for a refrigerator that is almost falling apart. You might end up losing.
4. The Refrigerant System in the Refrigerator
Another important factor to consider before repairing or replacing your fridge is the type of refrigerant in your fridge. If your fridge uses a refrigerant like R12, R22, or R502, then it’s high time you plan on buying a new fridge. This is because those refrigerants are not available in the market today. Most modern fridges are using the R134a and R1234yf refrigerants.
Conclusion
I recently wrote an article about how to bypass start relay on a refrigerator and just like replacing a compressor there a few things you would need to consider, I hope this article help answer exactly that.