If you have a refrigerator in your garage, you might be wondering if you should unplug it in the winter. After all, you don’t want to waste energy or risk damaging your appliance. But unplugging your garage refrigerator in the winter is not a good idea if you have food inside. Here’s why and what you can do instead.
You shouldn’t unplug your garage refrigerator in the winter if there’s food inside. Instead, you have to protect it from temperature fluctuations. You can do this by getting a fridge with two thermostats, adding a heater if your fridge doesn’t have one, and building an enclosed space for the fridge.
How Temperature Affects Your Garage Refrigerator
Refrigerators work by comparing the freezer temperature to the outside environment, lowering the temperature as needed, and blowing excess cold air from the freezer area to the fridge area. This means that a refrigerator will struggle in a garage without heating or cooling, especially in the winter.
Excessive cold will confuse your freezer, making it think that it’s already reached the proper level of refrigeration. As long as the exterior temperature stays below freezing, your freezer will sit idle, letting its contents thaw out. This can spoil your food and create a mess.
On the other hand, if the garage temperature rises above the set point of the fridge, which is usually around 36 degrees Fahrenheit, the fridge will shut down and stop cooling. This can also spoil your food and cause bacteria growth.
How To Protect Your Garage Refrigerator In The Winter
To prevent these problems, you need to keep your garage refrigerator at a stable and moderate temperature. Here are some ways to do that:
- Get a fridge with two thermostats. Some refrigerators are designed to work in garages and have separate thermostats for the freezer and the fridge sections. This allows them to adjust to different temperatures and keep both sections at optimal levels. Look for models that are labeled as “garage-ready” or have a “garage kit” installed.
- Add a heater if your fridge doesn’t have one. If your fridge has only one thermostat, you can add an external heater to trick it into thinking that the garage is warmer than it is. You can use a light bulb, a heating pad, or a small space heater inside or near the fridge. Make sure to monitor the temperature and avoid overheating or fire hazards.
- Build an enclosed space for the fridge. Another option is to create a climate-controlled space within the garage by framing an enclosed space around the fridge. This allows you to moderate the heat and cold only around the fridge. You can also store other temperature-sensitive items like paint in this space.
FAQs
- Can I use any refrigerator in my garage? No, not all refrigerators are suitable for garages. Some refrigerators are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and may not work properly or efficiently in garages. Look for refrigerators that are specifically designed for garages or have features that make them more adaptable to different climates.
- How cold can a garage refrigerator get? A garage refrigerator can get as cold as the outside temperature, depending on how well-insulated and ventilated your garage is. If the outside temperature drops below freezing, your garage refrigerator may also freeze and stop working.
- How much does it cost to run a garage refrigerator? The cost of running a garage refrigerator depends on several factors, such as the size, age, efficiency, and condition of your appliance, as well as the electricity rates in your area and the temperature of your garage. Generally, older and larger refrigerators use more energy than newer and smaller ones. Also, extreme temperatures can make your refrigerator work harder and use more energy.
Conclusion
Having a refrigerator in your garage can be convenient and useful, but it also comes with some challenges in the winter. You shouldn’t unplug your garage refrigerator in the winter if there’s food inside, as this can cause spoilage and waste. Instead, you should protect your garage refrigerator from temperature fluctuations by getting a fridge with two thermostats, adding a heater if your fridge doesn’t have one, and building an enclosed space for the fridge. By doing these things, you can enjoy having extra food storage in your garage without compromising on safety or efficiency.
