Last Updated on November 8, 2022
Can you unplug a refrigerator? If yes, then why don’t they come with a switch or something similar?
Most refrigerators these days have a power cord that plugs into an outlet. This means that you can plug them in even when you aren’t home. The problem is that some appliances are plugged directly into the wall socket without a power cord. These include fridges, freezers, air conditioners, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.
You might be wondering whether you can unplug a fridge from the wall. Well, it depends on where you live. Some places allow you to unplug appliances from the wall, but others require you to call an electrician before you can remove the appliance.
Can You Unplug A Refrigerator?
If your refrigerator has a power cord and doesn’t need to be connected to the wall all of the time, then you should be able to unplug it. However, if it does not have a power cord, then you will need to contact an electrician first.
How To Unplug A Fridge From The Wall
You can unplug a fridge by removing the power cord from its back panel.
The easiest way to do this is to unscrew the four screws holding the back panel together. Once the back panel is removed, you can pull out the power cord.
Unscrewing the back panel is easy because there are only four screws holding it together. It may take some strength to pry up the back panel, though.
Once you’ve pulled out the power cord, disconnect the wires inside the back panel. Then, connect the new power cord to the front of the refrigerator.
Once you’ve done this, reconnect the back panel to the rest of the refrigerator. Screw the four screws back into place.
You can now turn off the power to the refrigerator.
What happens when you unplug your refrigerator?
If you unplug your refrigerator and immediately re-plug it in then you might notice the compressor may not restart. This usually happens due to the pressure that gets accumulated.
When you do this there is a huge risk of damaging your compressor as it is at the center of the refrigeration cycle and a very essential part of the fridge.
So when you unplug it its best to keep it that way for at least 15-20 mins before re-plugging.
When you keep your refrigerator unplugged the temperature inside rises and then the moisture is retained. This can create bacteria and microorganisms on your food. The bacteria reproduce fast and become very bad when the fridge door is closed which might lead to a bad door too.
Precautions to be taken while unplugging a refrigerator
While going on a vacation for a longer period that is more than a month, you might be thinking about your appliances and worried about your fridge too.
It’s very easy to unplug other home appliances as they won’t do any kind of damage. But while unplugging a fridge you have to keep in mind these precautions.
Remove all your food
Thinking of unplugging your fridge then the first thing to do is remove all your food and turn off the circuit breaker. Food items are perishable so it’s better not to keep them in an unplugged refrigerator.
Turn off the ice maker and temperature control
If you have a fridge that has got an ice maker then turn it off and also bring it in a cleaning position so that it also gets cleaned. After this turn of the temperature control, and water supply on your fridge too. Read the manual to know how to do this.
Clean it properly
Before going out and unplugging clean your fridge properly once because there might be food particles on some parts that may attract pests like cockroaches. So that it is essential to clean it properly and thoroughly to prevent bad odor while it’s unplugged. Consider cleaning the ice maker too. You can use baking soda for cleaning it along with vinegar.
Keep your fridge dry
Make sure you clean your fridge properly and make it dry as bacterias attract moist and warm places and they easily reproduce so keeping your fridge dry is important.
Keep the door open
Once you are done with the steps and cleaned it, just keep the doors open so that air circulates and prevents bad odor and molds.
What happens if I don’t unplug my refrigerator?
There could be many reasons why you don’t want to unplug your refrigerator. If you are planning to go on a long trip or vacation then you might be wondering what will happen if you don’t unplug your refrigerator.
The reason behind this is that the temperature inside the refrigerator rises and the humidity increases. This leads to bacterial growth and mold formation. And if you leave the refrigerator unplugged for a longer time then the problem becomes worse.
The good news is that there are ways to solve this problem. You can get rid of the bacteria by using antibacterial soap and bleach. These things help in killing the bacteria and prevent their reproduction. Also, you can use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level.
You can also consider buying a new refrigerator but before doing that you should check whether it’s worth it or not.
How to plug a refrigerator back again?
When you come back from your vacation, you need to plug your refrigerator back again. It is recommended to plug it in after 24 hours of unplugging because it takes time for the temperature to drop down.
To avoid getting into trouble when you unplug your refrigerator, follow the above-mentioned tips.
Is it safe to unplug a refrigerator?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to unplug your refrigerator but only if you follow the above mentioned guidelines.
Unplugging a refrigerator is one of the most common household tasks. But sometimes people forget to unplug their refrigerators. They think that it doesn’t matter much but actually it does. The following article explains everything about unplugging a refrigerator.
Are you one of those people who believes it’s pointless to leave appliances on while they’re not in use? Everyone appreciates the ability to save money by not wasting power.
You do not need to be concerned about unplugging most of your household equipment while they are not in use. When it comes to a refrigerator, however, the situation is different. A refrigerator is meant to keep your food cold and fresh 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may have heard that keeping the refrigerator plugged in helps to increase the efficiency and functionality of the refrigerator. In various settings, several questions may arise.
Let’s say you’re planning a vacation and don’t want to leave any of your household appliances turned on. If you won’t be gone for more than four weeks, you can leave the refrigerator plugged in; but, if you’ll be gone for more than a month, you should unplug it.
The question that arises is whether disconnecting a refrigerator is harmful. Is unplugging a refrigerator really a problem?
I’m going to address these questions today. Also, speak about what happens when you unplug a refrigerator, as well as the care and measures you should take.
When you disconnect your refrigerator, what happens?
If you unplug your refrigerator and then immediately plug it back in, the compressor may not restart. This generally occurs as a result of the pressure that has built up.
When you do this, you run the danger of destroying your compressor, which is at the heart of the refrigeration cycle and a critical component of the refrigerator. It’s better to leave it unplugged for at least 15-20 minutes before plugging it back in.
When you leave your refrigerator unplugged, the temperature inside increases, retaining moisture. Bacteria and germs may be created on your food as a result of this. When the fridge door is closed, the germs proliferate quickly and become extremely harmful, perhaps resulting in a faulty door.
When disconnecting a refrigerator, follow these precautions.
While on a trip for more than a month, you may be wondering about and concerned about your appliances, including your refrigerator.
Other household appliances are simple to disconnect because they do not do any harm. However, you must take certain measures while disconnecting a refrigerator.
Take out all of your food.
If you’re considering disconnecting your refrigerator, the first step is to remove all of your food and turn off the circuit breaker. Because food is perishable, it is best not to keep it in an unplugged refrigerator.
Turn off the ice and water dispenser and temperature control
If your refrigerator includes an ice maker, turn it off and place it in the cleaning position so that it may be cleaned as well. After that, switch off the thermostat and the water supply on your refrigerator. To learn how to accomplish this, read the instructions.
It should be well cleaned.
Before going out and disconnecting your refrigerator, clean it thoroughly since there may be food particles on certain sections that attract pests such as cockroaches. As a result, it’s critical to clean it carefully and thoroughly while it’s disconnected to avoid odors.
Cleaning the ice machine is also a good idea. Cleaning it with baking soda and vinegar is an option.
Keep your refrigerator dry.
Make sure your fridge is clean and dry. Bacteria love damp and humid environments, and they multiply quickly, so keeping your fridge dry is critical.
Leave the door ajar.
Once you’ve completed the procedures and cleaned it, simply leave the doors open to allow air to flow and avoid odors and mold growth.
Can You Unplug Your Fridge at Night To Save Money and Energy?
Yes, you can unplug your refrigerator during nighttime hours if you want to save money and energy. But, make sure you don’t forget to reconnect it after you finish using it.
You will need to know some tips and tricks to help you get started. Here we go:
First, check whether or not your refrigerator uses electricity by checking its power cord. If it does use electricity, you’ll have to find out where exactly it plugs into the wall socket. Then, look up the manual to see what kind of outlet it requires.
Next, locate the fuse box near the electrical panel. Open it and then search through the fuses until you find one labeled "Refrigerator". Once you identify the right fuse, replace it with another one from the same series. This way, you won’t damage anything else when replacing it.
Now, once you’ve replaced the fuse, close the cover again and wait for 10 minutes. The next morning, plug back in your appliance and test it. It should work fine now.
Can A Refrigerator Be Damaged When Unplugged?
No, but you might experience problems like malfunctioning lights, noisy fans, etc., depending on which model you own. So, before you start unplugging your refrigerator, ensure that everything works properly.
Conclusion
There are many things you must consider before deciding to unplug your refrigerator. However, most people do it because they feel their appliances consume too much energy. In fact, even though refrigerators aren’t very expensive, they still cost more than other household items. Therefore, saving money is always important.
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