Where are the cooling coils in a refrigerator?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
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Condenser coils are located on the back of the fridge or across the bottom. These coils cool and condense the refrigerant. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust, they can't efficiently release heat.



In this regard, where are the coils on a fridge?

The condenser coils are located either under the refrigerator behind the base grille, or on the back of the refrigerator, or on the top of the refrigerator.

Likewise, how do you access the evaporator coil on a refrigerator? The back wall of the freezer is actually the cover of the evaporator coil and can easily be opened with a screwdriver.
  1. Empty out your freezer and place the food items in a cooler with a lid.
  2. Unplug your refrigerator.
  3. Remove the icemaker mounting bracket screws (if your refrigerator has an icemaker) with a screwdriver.

Also, do all refrigerators have coils?

Refrigerators that have their condenser coil mounted on the back of the cabinet do not have one. Refrigerators that have their condenser coils mounted in the compressor compartment use fans to force air through the coil to help transfer the heat of compression to the environment.

What happens if refrigerator coils are dirty?

If the refrigerator condenser coils are dirty, then the refrigerant running through the coils cannot lose heat easily. Dirty condenser coils cause the compressor to overheat. Overheating causes the compressor to stop working, and therefore, the entire refrigeration process stops as well.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Why is my refrigerator not cold enough?

Clogged coils can cause poor cooling. Check to make sure nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that it spins freely (models with coils on the back won't have a fan). To do this, unplug the fridge and pull it out. Plug in the fridge and make sure the fan runs when the compressor is running.

What are the coils on the back of a fridge?

Condenser coils are located on the back of the fridge or across the bottom. These coils cool and condense the refrigerant. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust, they can't efficiently release heat.

Can I use compressed air to clean refrigerator coils?

Vacuuming coils may be all that's needed to remove dirt and dust from refrigerator condenser coils. Some refrigeration experts also prefer to blow out dust from refrigerators using pressurized air cans that are often used to clean computer keyboards or more powerful portable compressors.

How often should refrigerator coils be cleaned?

How to clean refrigerator coils. To keep your refrigerator humming, you should clean coils every six months to a year, more often if you have shedding pets. It's a short and easy task, and definitely one you shouldn't avoid.

How do I clean the coils on the back of my refrigerator?


To clean your refrigerator coils, all you need is a soft-brislted brush and a vacuum. First, unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall. Unsnap the panel at the bottom of the back to expose the coils. Then, use a brush to rub as much dirt and dust off the coils as you can.

How do you clean a condenser?

AC Condenser Coil Cleaning Steps
  1. Pull the water hose over to the condenser units.
  2. Mix the coil cleaner in the pump sprayer per the manufacturer's instructions.
  3. Spray on the coil cleaner.
  4. Wait about 5 minutes for the cleaner to foam up.
  5. Wash off the cleaner and dirt with the water hose.

How much does it cost to put Freon in a refrigerator?

The average time to evacuate, inspect and refill a refrigerator freon system is about 20 minutes and the cost in parts would be about $20 but expect to pay a good amount of money for the service call.

What is the purpose of the coils under a refrigerator?

What is the purpose of the coils under a refrigerator? They release extra refrigerant that may have built up over time. They release thermal energy generated by the motor to keep the refrigerator cold. They keep the inside of the refrigerator cool.

Why should you clean your refrigerator coils?

A working refrigerator is an important household item. Keep yours running effectively and efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils at least once a year. Depending on the location of your coils, dust, dirt, and pet hair can collect on and around the coils, which prevents the refrigerator from releasing heat.

How do you clean condenser coils?


How to Clean Your Air Conditioner's Condenser Coils
  1. Inspect the Coils. Start by visually inspecting the coils for any noticeable damage.
  2. Remove Debris With a Coil Brush.
  3. Straighten the Coil Fins With a Fin Comb.
  4. Wet the Coils and Coat With Coil Cleaner.
  5. Wash Away the Coil Cleaner With Water.

Where are evaporator coils located?

An air conditioner's evaporator coil, also called the evaporator core, is the part of the system where the refrigerant absorbs heat. That is, it's where the cold air comes from. The evaporator coil is located inside or near the air handler where the blower fan is.

How does a refrigerator work diagram?

When the hot gas in the coils meets the cooler air temperature of the kitchen, it becomes a liquid. Now in liquid form at high pressure, the refrigerant cools down as it flows into the coils inside the freezer and the fridge. 4. The refrigerant absorbs the heat inside the fridge, cooling down the air.

How do you clean an evaporator coil?

How to Clean Air Conditioner Evaporator Coils
  1. Purchase a can of commercially available no-rinse coil cleaner.
  2. Locate the air handler unit, usually installed in a closet or attic.
  3. Turn off power to the air handler at the main switch or circuit breaker.
  4. Remove the metal reflective tape that seals the seams around the coil access panel.

How do I clean the fridge?

Spray the inside of the fridge with a solution of vinegar and water, concentrating on soiled areas and let it soak in. Wash the removed shelves and drawers with warm soapy water and set them aside to dry. Head back to the fridge and wipe everything down with a rag. Dry shelves and drawers and return them to the fridge.

How do you replace a refrigerator evaporator coil?


How to Repair an Evaporator Coil on a Refrigerator
  1. Remove the panel covering the evaporator coil.
  2. Remove the hold-down clamps on the evaporator coil with either a Phillips screwdriver or a 1/4-inch nut driver.
  3. Find the leaks in the evaporator coil.
  4. Clean the leak area with sand paper.

How much does it cost to replace an evaporator coil in a refrigerator?

Replacing an evaporator coil can be a pretty costly expense. A new coil could cost between $200 - $1500 depending on size and brand. To have it installed could cost another $500 - $1200. This means that it would cost between $700 - $2700 dollars to replace an evaporator coil.

Where are the evaporator coils in a Frigidaire refrigerator?

The evaporator is located in the back of the freezer and it circulates the air over the refrigerator coils.