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In most apartments, the kitchens are small, and it is not always possible to fit everything you need there. Have you come up with the idea to install a refrigerator on the balcony? It is located next to the kitchen, the place is not occupied – it seems that the solution is ideal. But will the equipment work there in winter or in the heat of summer? Let’s take a closer look.
Is it possible to put a refrigerator on the loggia
To understand whether it is possible to keep the refrigerator “Atlant”, “Samsung”, “Indesit”, “Beko” or another brand on the balcony, you need to understand the principle of operation.
Freon circulates through the system. Once in the evaporator, it boils and absorbs heat from the freezer. The refrigerant then passes through the compressor and the cycle repeats. The heat that accumulates during operation is given off to the environment – therefore, a heat exchanger is located on the refrigerator wall.
The properties of the refrigerant (freon gas) are selected so that it circulates normally through the system at a certain temperature in the room. Therefore, household appliances are designed to work in heated rooms.
If the environment is below zero, the transition of the refrigerant from a liquid state to a gaseous state cannot be controlled. This leads to various breakdowns, which we will discuss below.
How to understand to what temperature the refrigerator can be operated? The instructions do not say that you can not put it on the balcony. In order for it to work smoothly, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the climate class:
- N – + 16-32 degrees. If the value often rises above + 32 ° C, then operation in an air-conditioned room is allowed. In winter, the heating must be on.
- SN – + 10-32 degrees. For rooms that are poorly heated (basements, insulated loggias, corridors).
- ST – + 18-38 degrees. Suitable for hot regions.
- T – + 18-43 degrees. For very hot regions or small sunny rooms that get very hot.
Therefore, before installing equipment on a cold balcony, think about it: this can lead to its breakdown. If the loggia can be insulated, then there are more opportunities.
Installation on an open balcony
You already understood what it is fraught with, especially in the winter season. Consider the possible dangers:
- Precipitation. Snow, moisture on the electrical parts of the device can cause a short circuit and a fire. Do not install outlets or lay extension cords in an open area. In addition, exposure to moisture will lead to corrosion of the refrigerator case, and its contact with the board and its contacts will completely disable the control system.
- Low temperatures. If the operation takes place in the cold, the oil in the motor-compressor thickens, it runs idle. The pressure decreases, due to which the freon stops circulating and leaves the condenser. As a result, the technique stops.
- Heat. Exposure to sunlight damages the enamel coating, it cracks. The motor starts to work with a double load and soon fails.
Accommodation on the glazed loggia
Refrigerators LG, Samsung, Bosch are also at risk if the loggia is glazed, but not heated. The motor will run at its limit, and at night, when the temperature drops, the refrigerant will simply freeze in the tubes.
On an insulated balcony, if it is separated from the rest of the room, the temperature may differ from that recommended by the manufacturer. As a result, condensation may form, which will lead to corrosion of the housing.
When it gets cold, the refrigerator can be turned off, use it only in spring, summer and early autumn, while it is warm.
Today they release models with new technologies. The refrigerant in them is also special, because it can withstand sub-zero temperatures.
Combined balcony
If the loggia has become part of the room, the climatic conditions there are the same as in the room.
How to make operation safe:
- The right choice of technology. Understand why you need a refrigerator on the balcony. If for storing frozen food, it is better to install a chest freezer. If the shelves will be filled with soft drinks in warm weather, then choose according to the climate class: ST and T. To keep the device working at low temperatures, choose the Full No Frost two-compressor model.
- Make sure that in the summer the temperature of the thermometer on the balcony did not exceed climatic indicators of technology.
- Take care of ventilation. The gap between the housing and the wall must be at least 20 cm.
- Do not place the appliance near heating appliances, batteries, radiators.
- To keep the aluminum body out of direct sunlight, cover windows with curtains or cover blinds.
- Make sure humidity did not rise and there was no condensation.
Adhering to the recommended rules, you can safely operate the refrigerator on the balcony and loggia. Let’s take a closer look at how the refrigerator and freezer behave:
- Single compressor type with drip defrost and manual defrost (or NoFrost) in the freezer. In such cases, the compressor turns on at a mark of + 4-10 ° С. If the temperature is not suitable, the motor will not start.
- Single compressor type. One thermostat is installed on two chambers, which controls the temperature in the evaporator. As soon as it rises by 4-7°C, the compressor starts. Therefore, the operation of such a refrigerator is identical to the previous version.
- Double compressor type Full No Frost. The freezer has a thermostat. Cooling starts when the value of -16-24°С is exceeded. The refrigerator compartment will turn off when readings are below +4-10°C. It can be operated on a loggia if the winters are not too severe. But even in such cases, the motor works with increased load.
- Freezers and Chests. They work at an internal temperature of -18-24 degrees. As long as it is higher, the camera will turn on.
Possible malfunctions
Failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and operating the equipment in inappropriate conditions can lead to such problems:
- Compressor motor failure. Cooling down, the oil thickens, so the motor has to work with a double load, which leads to wear.
- Control module failure. High humidity oxidizes the contacts of the device.
- Failure of the thermistor, defrost sensor. Moisture also has an effect.
- Deformation of the sealing rubber on the door under the influence of moisture and sunlight.
But you can store equipment on the balcony. The main thing is to protect the body from sun and moisture. Before connecting the equipment indoors, let it stand for several hours and acclimatize.
It turns out that theoretically the refrigerator can work in the open air. Almost everything needs to be carefully weighed and prepared so as not to spoil the equipment. If you have no other place to place, then buy an inexpensive model.
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