
A new Energy Star model costing $500 will pay for itself in just over four years in energy savings. A new Energy Star refrigerator will cost $10 a month, or $120 a year, to run. Repair: Let's say your refrigerator uses $20 of energy per month, which is $240 a year, Spencer says. "You can use a usage meter or an app on your cell phone to track your refrigerator's energy consumption," Spencer says. What to check: An old fridge that's working hard will suck up a lot of energy. A service call will run $130 to $200.įix or Nix: Fix Problem: There's a spike in your energy bill A freezer setting of 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.Ĭost: $0 if you unthaw the line yourself. This will help keep the drain from freezing." Make sure the freezer temperature is not too cold, Spencer advises. "If you have a metal defrost heater, a drain strap can be hooked onto the heating element to help direct heat into the drain. "Once the line is cleared, check to see if a drain trough heater is used, and replace it if it's defective," Spencer says. A hair dryer will melt the ice, but inserting hot water into the line with a turkey baster is also fast and effective.

Repair: You'll need to thaw the ice that's blocking the drainage line. Water from the evaporator coils will keep accumulating during the defrost cycles until the drain is cleared."


"Occasionally food can plug the drain, but most likely the drain is frozen. What to check: If your fridge has the freezer up above the refrigerator unit and you're seeing water under the crisper drawers, or if you've got ice buildup in the bottom of the freezer in a side-by-side unit, those are signs that the evaporator defrost drain is plugged, according to Spencer. If the problem is damaged door cams, you can replace them.Ĭost: $40 to more than $100 for a door seal, and $2 and up for a door cam.įix or Nix: Fix Problem: Water is pooling in or under the refrigerator "Be careful not to twist the door too much or the inner door liner may crack," Spencer warns. If the door is warped but has screws for the seal, you can loosen the screws, twist the door a little, and retighten the screws to keep the door where you want it. "If not, the seal will need to be replaced." Repair: "In some cases the seal can be heated with a hair dryer and formed to help seal the leak," Spencer says. (Most doors have cams that help keep the door closed, and if it's damaged, the door may not stay shut.) Third, you could have a worn-out door cam.

Second, a warped door that's not straight and therefore won't close properly, leaving a gap between the top or bottom of the door and the refrigerator. What to check: This is usually caused by one of three things: First would be a bad door seal that's torn or stretched out.
#Cost to repairge refrigerator compressor repair professional#
The repairs require specialized tools and expertise, which means you'll need a professional service technician.įix or Nix: Nix Problem: You feel cool air coming out when the door is closed, or see moisture droplets around the door Repair: Find and repair the leak or obstruction replace the heat exchanger and filter drier and drain and recharge the system.Ĭost: $300 to $400. "If only the upper half or third of the coil has frost, then there is a sealed system problem, meaning there is a restriction or not enough Freon, probably because of a leak, in the system." "You should have a very light frost pattern on the entire coil," Spencer explains. Then access the evaporator coil and look at the frost pattern. There's a simple way to make sure the cooling system is working.
