If you have a Frigidaire freezer, you might be wondering if you can put it in your garage. Maybe you need more space in your kitchen, or you want to store extra food for emergencies or parties. Or maybe you just like the convenience of having a freezer close to your car or backyard.
The answer is yes, you can put a Frigidaire freezer in your garage, but you need to consider some factors, such as the temperature, the humidity, the ventilation, and the power supply of your garage. Not all Frigidaire freezers are designed to work in extreme conditions, and some may require special accessories or modifications to function properly.
In this blog post, we will explain how to choose and install a Frigidaire freezer in your garage, and what to do to maintain its performance and efficiency. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about Frigidaire freezers and their features. Read on to learn more!
How To Choose A Frigidaire Freezer For Your Garage?
Before you decide to put a Frigidaire freezer in your garage, you need to make sure that it is suitable for your garage environment. Not all Frigidaire freezers are the same, and some may not work well in hot or cold temperatures, high or low humidity, or poor ventilation.
The first thing you need to do is to check the climate rating of your Frigidaire freezer. The climate rating is a label that indicates the minimum and maximum ambient temperature that the freezer can operate in. You can find the climate rating on the serial plate of your freezer, usually located on the back or inside the door.
There are four types of climate ratings for Frigidaire freezers:
- SN: Subnormal. The freezer can operate in temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 90°F (32°C).
- N: Normal. The freezer can operate in temperatures between 61°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C).
- ST: Subtropical. The freezer can operate in temperatures between 61°F (16°C) and 100°F (38°C).
- T: Tropical. The freezer can operate in temperatures between 61°F (16°C) and 110°F (43°C).
You need to choose a Frigidaire freezer that matches the climate rating of your garage. For example, if your garage gets very hot in summer, you need a freezer with a ST or T rating. If your garage gets very cold in winter, you need a freezer with a SN or N rating.
However, even if your Frigidaire freezer has the right climate rating for your garage, it may still struggle to maintain its temperature and performance if the temperature fluctuates too much or too often. For example, if your garage gets very hot during the day and very cold at night, or if you open and close the garage door frequently.
To solve this problem, you may need to get a garage-ready Frigidaire freezer. A garage-ready freezer is a freezer that has an extra thermostat that activates a heater when the temperature drops below a certain level. This prevents the freezer from shutting off or freezing up when it gets too cold.
A garage-ready Frigidaire freezer usually comes with a garage kit that you need to install on your freezer. A garage kit is a device that connects to the power supply of your freezer and activates the heater when needed. You can buy a garage kit separately from Frigidaire or other online retailers.
To install a garage kit on your Frigidaire freezer, you need to follow these steps:
- Unplug your freezer from the wall outlet and remove any food items from it.
- Locate the power cord of your freezer and disconnect it from the terminal block inside the freezer.
- Connect the wires of the garage kit to the terminal block according to the instructions provided with the kit.
- Secure the wires with wire nuts and electrical tape.
- Attach the thermostat of the garage kit to the evaporator tube inside the freezer according to the instructions provided with the kit.
- Plug your freezer back into the wall outlet and test its operation.
How To Install A Frigidaire Freezer In Your Garage?
After you choose a suitable Frigidaire freezer for your garage, you need to install it properly in your garage. You need to consider some factors, such as the location, the ventilation, and the power supply of your garage.
The location of your Frigidaire freezer in your garage is important for its performance and efficiency. You need to choose a location that:
- Is level and stable
- Is away from direct sunlight, heat sources, water sources, and flammable materials
- Has enough clearance around the freezer for air circulation and door opening
- Has enough space for the freezer to be moved in and out of the garage
The ventilation of your Frigidaire freezer in your garage is important for its performance and efficiency. You need to ensure that:
- The freezer has enough air circulation around it to dissipate the heat from the condenser
- The freezer is not blocked by any objects or walls that may restrict the air flow
- The freezer is not exposed to excessive dust, dirt, or moisture that may clog the vents or coils
The power supply of your Frigidaire freezer in your garage is important for its performance and safety. You need to ensure that:
- The freezer is plugged into a dedicated and grounded wall outlet that matches the voltage and frequency of the freezer
- The freezer is not plugged into an extension cord, a power strip, or a surge protector that may overload the circuit or cause a fire hazard
- The freezer is protected by a fuse or a circuit breaker that can handle the current and wattage of the freezer
How To Maintain A Frigidaire Freezer In Your Garage?
Once you install a Frigidaire freezer in your garage, you need to maintain it regularly to keep it in good condition and extend its lifespan. You need to do some tasks, such as:
- Cleaning the interior and exterior of your freezer with a mild soap and water solution or a baking soda and water solution at least once every three months or whenever you notice any spills or odors
- Defrosting your freezer manually or automatically depending on the model of your freezer at least once or twice a year or whenever the frost layer is more than 1/4 inch thick
- Vacuuming or brushing the condenser coils and vents at least once every six months or whenever you notice any dust or debris accumulation
- Checking the door seal and hinges for any cracks, tears, or looseness and replacing them if needed
- Checking the temperature and alarm settings of your freezer and adjusting them if needed
- Checking the power cord and plug of your freezer for any damage or wear and replacing them if needed
FAQs About Frigidaire Freezers In A Garage
Q: How much does it cost to run a Frigidaire freezer in a garage?
A: The cost of running a Frigidaire freezer in a garage depends on several factors, such as the size, model, climate rating, temperature setting, and energy efficiency of your freezer, as well as the electricity rate in your area. You can estimate the annual energy consumption and cost of your freezer by using this formula:
Annual energy consumption (kWh) = Capacity (cu. ft.) x 24 x 365 x Temperature factor x Usage factor
Annual energy cost (/kWh)
The temperature factor is a number that represents how much energy your freezer uses depending on the ambient temperature. You can use this table to find the temperature factor for your garage:
Ambient temperature (°F) Temperature factor 50 0.75 70 1.00 90 1.25 110 1.50
The usage factor is a number that represents how much energy your freezer uses depending on how often you open and close the door, how full it is, and how well it is maintained. You can use this table to find the usage factor for your garage:
Usage factor Description 0.8 Light use (rarely opened, half full, well maintained) 1.0 Average use (occasionally opened, three-quarters full, moderately maintained) 1.2 Heavy use (frequently opened, fully loaded, poorly maintained)
For example, if you have a Frigidaire 5 cu. ft. chest freezer with a N climate rating that you keep in your garage at 90°F and use occasionally, you can calculate its annual energy consumption and cost as follows:
Annual energy consumption (kWh) = 5 x 24 x 365 x 1.25 x 1.0 = 547 kWh
Annual energy cost ($) = 547 kWh x $0.12/kWh = $65.64
Q: How long does a Frigidaire freezer last in a garage?
A: The lifespan of a Frigidaire freezer in a garage depends on several factors, such as the quality, model, climate rating, usage, maintenance, and warranty of your freezer. Generally, a Frigidaire freezer can last between 10 to 20 years in a garage if it is well taken care of.
Q: What are some tips to keep my Frigidaire freezer in good condition in my garage?
A: Some tips to keep your Frigidaire freezer in good condition in your garage are:
- Choose a suitable location for your freezer that is level, stable, dry, cool, and well ventilated
- Choose a suitable model for your freezer that matches the climate rating of your garage and has a garage kit if needed