Climate Classes for fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers
Climate class is the ambient (room) temperature range within which a refrigeration appliance is designed to operate reliably. It is printed on the rating plate inside or on the back of the appliance. Most UK domestic fridges, freezers, and fridge-freezers are climate class SN, which covers 10 to 32 degrees Celsius. Installing outside this range – particularly in a cold garage in winter – can cause the appliance to malfunction.
What Is Climate Class?
All refrigeration appliances are tested and rated for a specific range of ambient temperatures. Outside this range, the appliance may be unable to maintain correct internal temperatures – either because it cannot shed heat in a hot environment or because the thermostat shuts off in a cold one. The climate class is printed on the appliance’s rating plate, which is usually on the inner side wall of the fridge or freezer compartment, or at the back of the unit.
The rating plate may not use the phrase “climate class” directly. On many appliances it simply reads “Class SN” or “Class N” – this is the climate class designation. See our guide on finding the model and serial number on a fridge or freezer for where to locate the rating plate on your specific appliance.
Climate Class Reference Table
| Climate class | Name | Minimum temperature | Maximum temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| SN | Extended Temperate | +10 °C | +32 °C |
| N | Temperate | +16 °C | +32 °C |
| ST | Sub-Tropical | +16 °C | +38 °C |
| T | Tropical | +16 °C | +43 °C |
| SN-ST | Extended Temperate to Sub-Tropical | +10 °C | +38 °C |
| SN-T | Extended Temperate to Tropical | +10 °C | +43 °C |
Most domestic refrigeration appliances sold in the UK are climate class SN or SN-ST. Class SN means the appliance is designed to work correctly in ambient temperatures from 10 to 32 degrees. The majority of UK kitchens, utility rooms, and indoor spaces stay within this range throughout the year.
What Happens Outside the Climate Class Range?
Too cold (below minimum)
- In a cold garage or outbuilding, ambient temperature can fall below 10 degrees in winter
- In a combined fridge-freezer with a single thermostat, the thermostat may shut off the compressor entirely – the fridge stays at temperature from the cold ambient air, but the freezer is no longer actively cooled and can defrost
- Standalone freezers are less susceptible because their thermostat target (minus 18 degrees) cannot be met by ambient cold air alone
- See our guide on can you put a fridge-freezer in a garage?
Too hot (above maximum)
- In a very hot kitchen, garage in summer, or in direct sunlight, the ambient temperature can exceed 32 degrees
- The condenser cannot shed heat effectively when the surrounding air is too warm – the appliance runs continuously, works harder, and may struggle to maintain internal temperature
- Prolonged operation above the rated maximum can cause compressor overheating and failure
- Energy consumption increases significantly
Practical Guidance
-
Check the climate class on the rating plate before installing any fridge or freezer in a garage, shed, cellar, or other non-standard location. The rating plate is usually inside the fridge compartment on the side wall. -
Do not install next to a heat source. Positioning a fridge next to a cooker, boiler, or radiator, or in direct sunlight, can cause the surrounding temperature to exceed the climate class maximum even in a normal kitchen. -
If installing in a cold outbuilding, look for an appliance specifically rated for low temperatures. Some manufacturers now produce refrigeration appliances rated down to minus 15 degrees or lower, specifically for garage and outbuilding use. Search for “garage-rated” or “outbuilding” freezers and check the specific climate class.
Related Guides
Related Guides
Can You Put a Fridge-Freezer in a Garage?Why single-thermostat fridge-freezers can defrost in cold garages – and which type of appliance works better.
Frosting Up in a Fridge or FreezerExcessive frost formation – door seal checks, levelling, and when to defrost manually.
Where Is the Model Number on a Fridge or Freezer?How to find the rating plate and model number – needed to check climate class and order spare parts.
How Frost-Free Defrosting WorksHow modern frost-free appliances manage automatic defrost cycles – and common failure modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SN mean on a fridge or freezer?
SN is a climate class designation meaning “Extended Temperate.” It indicates the appliance is designed to operate correctly in ambient (room) temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius. This is the most common climate class for domestic refrigeration appliances sold in the UK. The designation is printed on the rating plate inside the appliance.
Does climate class affect which fridge I can put in a garage?
Yes. In a UK garage in winter, temperatures below 10 degrees are common. A standard SN-rated fridge-freezer may not work correctly below this point, and in the case of combined units with a single thermostat, the freezer section can partially defrost. If a garage installation is required, look for an appliance with a lower minimum temperature rating – some products are specifically rated for cold environments. See our guide on putting a fridge-freezer in a garage for the full explanation.
Can I put my fridge next to the cooker?
Avoid it where possible. Placing a fridge adjacent to a cooker, boiler, or in direct sunlight can raise the ambient temperature around the appliance above its climate class maximum. This makes the fridge work harder, increases energy consumption, and can shorten the appliance’s lifespan. A gap between the fridge and any heat source, and positioning away from direct sunlight, is best practice.
103 Comments
Grouped into 77 comment threads.
0 replies The actual spec of the fridge freezer states working temperature range is 16°C to 38°C, the appliance is kept in the kitchen, in the colder months the temperature of the room would indeed regularly fall below 16 when the heating is off, we have only had problems in winter. After the compressor change and re-gas on 9th March the fridge freezer was on all day and the fridge didn’t get cold at all and the freezer as low as -1. An engineer is coming again tomorrow, I’m hoping they will give up on it and offer me a new fridge in which case I will make sure it is climate class SN.
1 reply In 2018 we bought a built in Kenwood fridge freezer from Curry’s, after a couple of years the freezer temperature would not get low enough, it was out of warranty so we paid for an engineer to fix it, they tried a few things and eventually declared it was unrepairable. We bought a new Hoover fridge freezer from Boots website (run by AO), while still under warranty this too developed the same symptom, freezer not cold enough, the engineer suggested turning off the fridge for 6 hours and turned it back on which seemed to work. I took out a service policy just in case. I then learnt about Climate Class which up until then I was unaware of, both appliances I bought were climate class ST (designed for sub tropical climate), could this be the cause of the problems? If so why would they be selling these for use in the UK? Recently the freezer was failing again and the fridge was also not working, after several visits the engineer replaced the compressor and did a re-gas. I asked on several occasions if the climate class was a problem, the engineer shrugged it off and said it shouldn’t make much difference. What is your opinion on this?
In 2018 we bought a built in Kenwood fridge freezer from Curry’s, after a couple of years the freezer temperature would not get low enough, it was out of warranty so we paid for an engineer to fix it, they tried a few things and eventually declared it was unrepairable. We bought a new Hoover fridge freezer from Boots website (run by AO), while still under warranty this too developed the same symptom, freezer not cold enough, the engineer suggested turning off the fridge for 6 hours and turned it back on which seemed to work. I took out a service policy just in case. I then learnt about Climate Class which up until then I was unaware of, both appliances I bought were climate class ST (designed for sub tropical climate), could this be the cause of the problems? If so why would they be selling these for use in the UK? Recently the freezer was failing again and the fridge was also not working, after several visits the engineer replaced the compressor and did a re-gas. I asked on several occasions if the climate class was a problem, the engineer shrugged it off and said it shouldn’t make much difference. What is your opinion on this?
Hello Barry. At face value you’d think that the climate class ST is inappropriate for the UK. The temperature range in climate class ST states the minimum temperature at which the appliance is designed to reliably function at is 18°. Well during winter, most people’s kitchens are likely to drop below 18°. However, what I can’t reliably advise upon is whether or not dropping below this “minimum temperature” is going to cause any real world problems.
However, climate class SN, which is appropriate for Europe, has a minimum temperature of 10°, which is not likely to cause any problems in the overwhelming majority of households in the UK unless we are experiencing extremely cold weather.
The only thing I can say is that if the temperature drops too low, then a combined fridge-freezer (that only uses one compressor) may switch off the compressor when the fridge temperature remains at the selected temperature because the temperature of the room it is in is 5° or below.
This usually only happens when a fridge freezer is kept in a garage or another outbuilding. The temperature of the room it is in would need to be cold enough that the temperature inside the fridge compartment is naturally at around 5°. If this happens then it has no need to run the compressor to keep the fridge compartment cold. Unfortunately, due to the way they are designed this also stops the freezer compartment from being cooled down. This may not be an issue if this situation only lasts a few hours. But if it was all night or longer then the freezer compartment will start to defrost.
If we bear in mind the fact that the fridge compartment is insulated, you would expect this only happens when the temperature of the room it is in is roughly around 0° or lower. All this is explained in detail in my article can you run a fridge freezer in a garage?
So this is the main problem associated with room temperatures, (which is rectified once the temperature of the room rises high enough to trigger the thermostat in the fridge compartment to start running the compressor again). In other words it doesn’t cause the appliance to “break down”, it causes it to stop working properly until the temperature rises to proper levels. It also only affects combined fridge-freezers, and not separate fridges and separate freezers. It’s unlikely that temperatures inside most normal kitchens would drop to these temperatures.
The only other thing is if the temperature in your kitchen (assuming it is kept in a kitchen) can regularly drop below 18° then it is regularly falling below the temperature that the manufacturers claim it is designed to operate in. My kitchen is probably on average around about 18° of an evening in winter. So on very cold nights it probably drops at least a couple of degrees or more as the heating switches off at 9 PM. In poorly insulated homes I wouldn’t be surprised if it could drop several degrees below. The question is exactly what happens if this is the case. You can only assume that manufacturers use the climate temperatures as approximate ideal temperatures and that dropping, or even raising a few degrees either way may not cause any issues at all. Otherwise, they would be completely wrong to be selling them in the UK.
0 replies Just wanted to leave a comment after I found this article and it helped me resolve an issue I had with my under-counter fridge freezer that was located in the kitchen! Of course, Dec '22 and we've just had a horrid cold snap (SE England). I had noticed yesterday that the freezer unit had began defrosting and from observation it seemed the whole unit had perished - it is old and the light hasn't worked for a number of years. I began fault finding to no avail and began to wonder if the ambient temperature can impact the operation of the unit - the line of thought brought me here after a little bit of browser searching.... Need I say more?! So, just a thanks to the author of the article and also the comment section.
Just wanted to leave a comment after I found this article and it helped me resolve an issue I had with my under-counter fridge freezer that was located in the kitchen!
Of course, Dec ’22 and we’ve just had a horrid cold snap (SE England).
I had noticed yesterday that the freezer unit had began defrosting and from observation it seemed the whole unit had perished – it is old and the light hasn’t worked for a number of years.
I began fault finding to no avail and began to wonder if the ambient temperature can impact the operation of the unit – the line of thought brought me here after a little bit of browser searching…. Need I say more?!
So, just a thanks to the author of the article and also the comment section.
0 replies Thanks for sharing your experience Keith. Yes a lamp creating warmth would fix the problem but only if it was rigged in such a way that it kept the fridge no warmer than 5° C otherwise food would not keep. I know it's not always possible but it is well worth investing in separate fridge and a separate freezer.
Thanks for sharing your experience Keith. Yes a lamp creating warmth would fix the problem but only if it was rigged in such a way that it kept the fridge no warmer than 5° C otherwise food would not keep. I know it’s not always possible but it is well worth investing in separate fridge and a separate freezer.
0 replies I recently purchased a candy. Fridge freezer/second hand...with 1 stat in the fridge compartment. Temp dropped to below 5degrees and everything started to defrost. I quickly rigged a lamp up too simulate heat/warmth in the fridge area. It did work but I was worried about the fire risk. I have now sold it and bought a beko freezer. Rated to -15 everything is now normal. I have also purchased a separate fridge with a sn rating for when the weather warms up to store my fishing baits.. hope this helps..
I recently purchased a candy. Fridge freezer/second hand…with 1 stat in the fridge compartment. Temp dropped to below 5degrees and everything started to defrost. I quickly rigged a lamp up too simulate heat/warmth in the fridge area. It did work but I was worried about the fire risk. I have now sold it and bought a beko freezer. Rated to -15 everything is now normal. I have also purchased a separate fridge with a sn rating for when the weather warms up to store my fishing baits.. hope this helps..
0 replies I would say that a conservatory is not a good place for a freezer. It's a lovely sunny day outside at the moment, but only 14°C . However, in my conservatory it is 28° C and that's with the door open and insulating roof and window blinds closed. A freezer would be able to operate in this temperature, but it would have to work much harder and use more energy. When the temperature outside gets to 28 to 30° temperature in my conservatory goes over the maximum temperature allowed in the climate class ratings. In winter months the temperature can drop well below the minimum temperature stated in the climate class ratings above. So unless the radiator would be on 24 / 7 the cold temperatures overnight might be a problem.
I would say that a conservatory is not a good place for a freezer. It’s a lovely sunny day outside at the moment, but only 14°C . However, in my conservatory it is 28° C and that’s with the door open and insulating roof and window blinds closed. A freezer would be able to operate in this temperature, but it would have to work much harder and use more energy. When the temperature outside gets to 28 to 30° temperature in my conservatory goes over the maximum temperature allowed in the climate class ratings.
In winter months the temperature can drop well below the minimum temperature stated in the climate class ratings above. So unless the radiator would be on 24 / 7 the cold temperatures overnight might be a problem.
0 replies Could I put a under the counter size freezer in a conservatory that has a radiator in there and mainly made of glass? What will happen in the summer months as the conservatory will get very hot? The winter months should be ok as the radiator will be on.
Could I put a under the counter size freezer in a conservatory that has a radiator in there and mainly made of glass?
What will happen in the summer months as the conservatory will get very hot?
The winter months should be ok as the radiator will be on.
0 replies Very interesting. I don't understand how Beko could be advertising refrigeration appliances as suitable for a cold garage if they definitely aren't. Surely no manufacturer would be so stupid as to do that on purpose? The blow-back would be big, and continuous, as more and more people found they weren't.
Very interesting. I don’t understand how Beko could be advertising refrigeration appliances as suitable for a cold garage if they definitely aren’t. Surely no manufacturer would be so stupid as to do that on purpose? The blow-back would be big, and continuous, as more and more people found they weren’t.
0 replies Andy Heres what the IEC had to say: Dear Mr. Fenwick Thanks for contacting IEC with your question regarding refrigerating testing. Following the standards, appliances have to be rated according climate classes with a lowest ambient temperature level at +10C. At this temperature products have to comply with all the requirements posed by the standard which are verified in the so called storage temperature tests. E.g. a freezer must be able to keep temperatures inside below -18C, a fresh food compartment below +4 (and above zero), etc. So far, the responsible IEC committee, IEC SC59M has been very active in updating the test standards (within maintenance team 2) in order to reflect usage conditions, get realistic values of energy use etc. The point of operation outside the climate class ranges included in the standard has not been on the agenda, as far as I can recall. There is, as you may have observed, no test protocol or any other requirement below +10 C. I can bring this issue up as an agenda point in our next meeting, to see if there are more parties interested in having better specification or maybe even a climate class rating down to -15 C. So from my point of view at this point, this is a sole responsibility of the supplier. If the supplier claims that a product is SN/T (meaning the unit can operate properly from 10 to 43 C) but can also be used down to -15C, the supplier would also need to show if there are certain restrictions in the operation of the appliance. E.g. if the manufacturer would claim that only the freezer will work properly and not the fridge part, this should be clear from the instructions. If the manufacturer does not mention any restrictions, as a customer you must expect that the refrigerator still conserves fresh food rather than freezing it. Such appliance should be equipped with heaters or other temperature increasing devices to keep the temperature in the fridge above zero. So in your case, I can only advise to consult the supplier and require compensation for any possible damage resulting from the, as you concluded, incorrect claim. Kindest regards Martien Janssen Convener IEC SC59M/MT2 ______________________________________________________________________ So there you have it, Beko at fault and incidentally 'In Denial'
Andy
Heres what the IEC had to say:
Dear Mr. Fenwick
Thanks for contacting IEC with your question regarding refrigerating testing.
Following the standards, appliances have to be rated according climate classes with a lowest ambient temperature level at +10C. At this temperature products have to comply with all the requirements posed by the standard which are verified in the so called storage temperature tests. E.g. a freezer must be able to keep temperatures inside below -18C, a fresh food compartment below +4 (and above zero), etc.
So far, the responsible IEC committee, IEC SC59M has been very active in updating the test standards (within maintenance team 2) in order to reflect usage conditions, get realistic values of energy use etc. The point of operation outside the climate class ranges included in the standard has not been on the agenda, as far as I can recall. There is, as you may have observed, no test protocol or any other requirement below +10 C. I can bring this issue up as an agenda point in our next meeting, to see if there are more parties interested in having better specification or maybe even a climate class rating down to -15 C.
So from my point of view at this point, this is a sole responsibility of the supplier. If the supplier claims that a product is SN/T (meaning the unit can operate properly from 10 to 43 C) but can also be used down to -15C, the supplier would also need to show if there are certain restrictions in the operation of the appliance. E.g. if the manufacturer would claim that only the freezer will work properly and not the fridge part, this should be clear from the instructions. If the manufacturer does not mention any restrictions, as a customer you must expect that the refrigerator still conserves fresh food rather than freezing it. Such appliance should be equipped with heaters or other temperature increasing devices to keep the temperature in the fridge above zero.
So in your case, I can only advise to consult the supplier and require compensation for any possible damage resulting from the, as you concluded, incorrect claim.
Kindest regards
Martien Janssen
Convener IEC SC59M/MT2
______________________________________________________________________
So there you have it, Beko at fault and incidentally ‘In Denial’
2 replies Thanks for the update Andrew. So presumably the one you bought was wrongly advertised because it doesn't have the "freezer guard" feature? The ones that do have it will still be suitable as advertised? Also, it seems that the freezer guard only protects the freezer so is no use the fridge freezer because the fridge will still malfunction if the temperature is too low.
Thanks for the update Andrew. So presumably the one you bought was wrongly advertised because it doesn’t have the “freezer guard” feature? The ones that do have it will still be suitable as advertised? Also, it seems that the freezer guard only protects the freezer so is no use the fridge freezer because the fridge will still malfunction if the temperature is too low.
Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)
Hi Andy
Getting complicated isn’t it :)
Ours did have Freezer Guard so Freezer bit was supposedly good for -15C, but being a Fridge Freezer the fridge wont work properly under +10C .
Therefore their claim that Frost Free Fridge Freezers with Freezer Guard are-Perfect for Outbuidings etc” is false.
i.e. These Bekos with a Fridge are not suitable. Avoid!
Currys took the Fridge Freezer back for full refund.
We have bought a Freezer with Freezer Guard and will update you on its suitability over time.
Leave a comment
0 replies OK, finally got a response of sorts from Beko. Having said in their advertising that Fridge Freezers are "Perfect for Outbuidings etc" https://www.beko.co.uk/lifestyle/freezer-guard they now admit that the fridge will not work properly at under +10C and I quote: "I can confirm that the fridge will not operate correctly where the ambient temperature is below 10°C" ... "SN/T is the climate class for just the fridge" Draw your own conclusions regarding misleading advertising and mis-selling???
OK, finally got a response of sorts from Beko.
Having said in their advertising that Fridge Freezers are “Perfect for Outbuidings etc” https://www.beko.co.uk/lifestyle/freezer-guard they now admit that the fridge will not work properly at under +10C and I quote:
“I can confirm that the fridge will not operate correctly where the ambient temperature is below 10°C” … “SN/T is the climate class for just the fridge”
Draw your own conclusions regarding misleading advertising and mis-selling???
0 replies Just been looking on Revoo regarding some AirFlow Beko FFs. The 1* reviews make interesting reading e.g.: DELANEY London GB Busy mum or dad Good Points+ Nothing Had nothing but trouble with this Lost £100 0f pound s of food From defrosting in the freezer And also freezing stuff in the fridge !! Bad Points. Everything worst thing Iv ever bought Didn't get any help Took loads visits to get it taken back I lost £100 pound worth of food
Just been looking on Revoo regarding some AirFlow Beko FFs.
The 1* reviews make interesting reading e.g.:
DELANEY
London GB Busy mum or dad
Good Points+
Nothing
Had nothing but trouble with this
Lost £100 0f pound s of food
From defrosting in the freezer
And also freezing stuff in the fridge !!
Bad Points. Everything worst thing Iv ever bought
Didn’t get any help
Took loads visits to get it taken back
I lost £100 pound worth of food
0 replies Good stuff Andy Add to that the fact that manufacturers have to use poorer performing refrigerants these days and you compound the issues and put Bekos claims even more in doubt!!!
Good stuff Andy
Add to that the fact that manufacturers have to use poorer performing refrigerants these days and you compound the issues and put Bekos claims even more in doubt!!!
0 replies Yes the fridge insulation will only offer a very small cushion but it is not by any means an answer. I was just meaning that for fridge contents to freeze the temperature would probably have to drop a couple of degrees below freezing rather than drop to freezing. But it was only meant as a small breadcrumb of comfort :-) I also agree that Beko may well be overreaching themselves. Essentially they are very much a budget brand. And one of the cheapest brands available. So it seems strange that they would be at the cutting edge in this area and no one else has bothered. You don't need to be especially intelligent to realise that there is a massive demand in the UK for fridge, freezer, and fridge freezers to work adequately in a garage. Our houses are historically extremely small, particularly our kitchens. Many of our kitchens must be amongst the smallest in the entire world. I wouldn't be surprised if there are millions of people with refrigeration appliances in their garages. Another one of the problems with cold environments is a separate issue to the one we've been discussing. Refrigeration needs a good temperature difference to work properly. Once temperatures drop below a certain point then the gases do not evaporate well if at all. And that will stop cooling.
Yes the fridge insulation will only offer a very small cushion but it is not by any means an answer. I was just meaning that for fridge contents to freeze the temperature would probably have to drop a couple of degrees below freezing rather than drop to freezing. But it was only meant as a small breadcrumb of comfort :-)
I also agree that Beko may well be overreaching themselves. Essentially they are very much a budget brand. And one of the cheapest brands available. So it seems strange that they would be at the cutting edge in this area and no one else has bothered. You don’t need to be especially intelligent to realise that there is a massive demand in the UK for fridge, freezer, and fridge freezers to work adequately in a garage. Our houses are historically extremely small, particularly our kitchens. Many of our kitchens must be amongst the smallest in the entire world. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are millions of people with refrigeration appliances in their garages.
Another one of the problems with cold environments is a separate issue to the one we’ve been discussing. Refrigeration needs a good temperature difference to work properly. Once temperatures drop below a certain point then the gases do not evaporate well if at all. And that will stop cooling.
0 replies Andy I think you are correct. I've just researched and cannot find any other climate classes under +10C. I think they need to overhaul this rating system to cover down to -15C. Interesting that Leibherr only offer down to +5C. I wonder if Beko are overeaching in their claims? However the fridge in my Beko Garage FF could not regulate temp with ambients between +12 and +2. Regarding Fridge insulation, I would agree with you if it was 12" of PU Foam but with only 1.5" and temperatures this winter down to -6c in this area the frost perishable contents will freeze and be ruined. Regarding AirFlow Fridge Control - I think its a very good idea if properly implemented and controlled - with the freezer guaranteed to be around -20C.
Andy
I think you are correct. I’ve just researched and cannot find any other climate classes under +10C.
I think they need to overhaul this rating system to cover down to -15C.
Interesting that Leibherr only offer down to +5C. I wonder if Beko are overeaching in their claims?
However the fridge in my Beko Garage FF could not regulate temp with ambients between +12 and +2.
Regarding Fridge insulation, I would agree with you if it was 12″ of PU Foam but with only 1.5″ and temperatures this winter down to -6c in this area the frost perishable contents will freeze and be ruined.
Regarding AirFlow Fridge Control – I think its a very good idea if properly implemented and controlled – with the freezer guaranteed to be around -20C.
0 replies Sorry Andrew I meant the explanation as to why the fridge freezers do not operate properly in a cold climate. If Beko say that their fridge freezers will work in a UK garage then they should clearly work. It seems very strange that they would say that if they demonstrably don't. If they use a fan to divert cold air from the freezer to maintain the temperature of the fridge that's a novel workaround if it actually works properly. But if you're fridge freezer did not have this feature then it's a puzzle as to why it was advertised to work in cold temperatures. If a fridge freezer only has one compressor then unless they are going to use tricks like their flow system you cannot maintain completely different temperatures into different compartments. Regarding the climate class. I wonder if by any chance there is no climate class to cover these lower temperatures as Beko seem to be the only refrigeration manufacturer to make refrigeration appliances specifically designed to work outside the kitchen? Also regarding the ambient temperature. Don't forget that a fridge will have insulation all around the casing and back which should mean that if air temperature in a garage. At 2 degrees centigrade it is highly unlikely that it would be -2 centigrade inside the fridge. However, it is still likely to drop below 5 degrees which is the lowest temperature we are supposed to have a fridge set at.
Sorry Andrew I meant the explanation as to why the fridge freezers do not operate properly in a cold climate. If Beko say that their fridge freezers will work in a UK garage then they should clearly work. It seems very strange that they would say that if they demonstrably don’t. If they use a fan to divert cold air from the freezer to maintain the temperature of the fridge that’s a novel workaround if it actually works properly. But if you’re fridge freezer did not have this feature then it’s a puzzle as to why it was advertised to work in cold temperatures.
If a fridge freezer only has one compressor then unless they are going to use tricks like their flow system you cannot maintain completely different temperatures into different compartments.
Regarding the climate class. I wonder if by any chance there is no climate class to cover these lower temperatures as Beko seem to be the only refrigeration manufacturer to make refrigeration appliances specifically designed to work outside the kitchen?
Also regarding the ambient temperature. Don’t forget that a fridge will have insulation all around the casing and back which should mean that if air temperature in a garage. At 2 degrees centigrade it is highly unlikely that it would be -2 centigrade inside the fridge. However, it is still likely to drop below 5 degrees which is the lowest temperature we are supposed to have a fridge set at.
3 replies Hi, Can somebody please explain how a Garage Beko Fridge Freezer with Freezer Guard actualy manages to properly control the Fridge and The Freezer when it only has one Thermostat and one Compressor? I have just bought a new one and it it failing to control these temperatures properly. The fridge is permanently too cold in ambients of + 10 to Zero which ruins frost susceptible groceries. There are many people on Revoo complaining of the same issue. Beko and Currys will not admit there is an issue.
Hi, Can somebody please explain how a Garage Beko Fridge Freezer with Freezer Guard actualy manages to properly control the Fridge and The Freezer when it only has one Thermostat and one Compressor?
I have just bought a new one and it it failing to control these temperatures properly.
The fridge is permanently too cold in ambients of + 10 to Zero which ruins frost susceptible groceries.
There are many people on Revoo complaining of the same issue.
Beko and Currys will not admit there is an issue.
Likely replying to Andrew Fenwick
Hello Andrew. The question is answered in my article. It links to this page which explains in detail the exact issue you have Can you put a fridge freezer in a garage?
Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)
Hi Andy
I’m afraid your article, which I had read, did not answer my questions.
Beko state in their advertising that this FF (and many others) is “perfect for outbuildings below zero”.
If it were true, this statement contradicts the climate class SN/T. What are we to believe?
This FF does not appear to have a heater to prevent the Fridge Freezing at below zero ambients.
This FF does not appear to have an air flow system to cool the fridge from the freezer as required – like some single stat FFs have.
I could not get the Fridge up to the correct temperature of 4C. The crisper was always between -2C & Zero.
PayPal found in my favour and after a huge battle Currys have picked it up. I will not be buying from Currys again.
I have now bought a dedicated Freezer which supposedly operates down to -15C.
Likely replying to Andrew Fenwick
Andrew, with your permission I have pasted below some of the very interesting and useful points that you made to me by email, which will be of great use to other people researching this issue –
Some fridge freezers and even some Bekos get round the 1 stat issue by cooling the fridge using air flow from the freezer. The Freezer is kept at a constant -18 to -20 C and cool air is sent to the fridge as necessary using an electronically controlled shutter.
However, without a fridge heater (seems like an oxymoron doesn’t it) there is nothing to stop the contents of the fridge from freezing when ambient falls below zero.
Unfortunately the Beko I chose did not have AirFlow Fridge Cooling.
Beko could do well to explain exactly how each model is supposed to work so that customers can make informed decisions. We should not have to become Refrigeration Engineers in order to buy a fridge freezer. Beko definitely state FFs “Perfect for sub zero outbuildings”:
Agreed.
I’ve just carried out an experiment. The ambient temperature in my garage at the moment is 10 degrees centigrade. I’ve had a thermometer inside my fridge, which is inside the garage but turned off (I usually turn it off when temperatures drop as I only use it to store beer). After about 20 minutes the temperature inside the fridge is 12 degrees, which shows that there is a small amount of protection against the outside temperature with the insulation around the appliance. It is quite rare for my garage to drop below freezing.
But essentially it’s not ideal at all. The advice to people has to be don’t put a fridge freezer in an outbuilding. If you need to, make sure it uses some system for coping with the lower temperatures in winter or it has a separate compressor for fridge and freezer section – which will be expensive if anyone does it. If you try a Beko fridge freezer because they advertise they are OK for a garage make sure it has their airflow system.
0 replies Thanks very much for that. I will give it a go over the next week or so and let you know how I got on.
Thanks very much for that. I will give it a go over the next week or so and let you know how I got on.
3 replies Hi, I hope you can advise me what is happening with my large upright frost free freezer (Zanussi). The freezer is about 2 and half years old and the alarm has started to go off. It is sitting in my sunroom which does get quite hot but I manage the temperature with a fan so the room is always approx 25 degrees. However, in the last two weeks the alarm has gone off nearly every day. I haven't found the reason yet but have pressed the quick free button on and it does go off. Can you help me to identify the problem please?
Hi, I hope you can advise me what is happening with my large upright frost free freezer (Zanussi). The freezer is about 2 and half years old and the alarm has started to go off. It is sitting in my sunroom which does get quite hot but I manage the temperature with a fan so the room is always approx 25 degrees. However, in the last two weeks the alarm has gone off nearly every day. I haven’t found the reason yet but have pressed the quick free button on and it does go off. Can you help me to identify the problem please?
Likely replying to Carol Callow
Hello Carol. 25° is not good, but it is within the climate class range that most refrigeration appliances are designed for. If it has been working okay for 2 1/2 years than it seems unlikely to be caused by the room temperature. Therefore it sounds likely has just developed a fault and needs an engineer to look at it. If the alarm is going off it means it is not getting cold enough anymore. The only thing you can really do is make sure the door is closed properly and that the door seal isn’t worn or damaged. It could be a fault on the sensor, the PCB, or something to do with the refrigerant.
Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)
Hi Andy, Thanks for your reply. In the meantime I had taken out the drawers to see if there was any blockages anywhere. I started from the bottom and found some ice, so then I carried on until I got to the top draw (Quick freeze) where I keep ice cubes. When I pulled away the bags of ice I found a LOT of ice and frost. I therefore removed everything from that space and cleaned up the ice/frost. The freezer does seem to be working a little better. We’ve only had the alarm go off once which was after I had cleaned out the top space. A bit annoying. However, having no manual I am at a lost how to check the back of the machine for any further blockages.
Likely replying to Carol Callow
Hello Carol. If it happens again need to talk to defrost by unplugging it at least 12 hours or try to accelerate the process with gentle heat or put in a bowl of hot water inside. This is because there is often a lot of ice behind the back wall which is insulated. If that hasn’t been removed then it isn’t too long before the problem re-occurs.
1 reply Hope someone can help me. Up until recently I was not aware that some fridge freezers were only designed to work in centrally heated environments! The Zanussi ZRB632FW we have states in the manual, "Climate Class: SN - N- ST - T. The same is specified on all the specifications I have found on the web. There is no rating plate internally or on the back of the unit or on the compressor. Can anyone help me with regard to what the rating for this unit actually is?
Hope someone can help me. Up until recently I was not aware that some fridge freezers were only designed to work in centrally heated environments!
The Zanussi ZRB632FW we have states in the manual, “Climate Class: SN – N- ST – T. The same is specified on all the specifications I have found on the web.
There is no rating plate internally or on the back of the unit or on the compressor. Can anyone help me with regard to what the rating for this unit actually is?
Likely replying to Kevin
Hello Kevin. My article here shows all the places for a fridge rating plate or serial number that I know of Where is the model or serial number on a fridge or freezer?. If it’s not in any of the places mentioned there’s nowhere else to suggest.
You might find this article interesting if you haven’t already seen it about How are fridges and freezers affected by the room temperature?
0 replies Mike Lewis: Will this machine operate OK in Cyprus I cannot find Definition for SN-T Hi Mike! My name is Angel from Home Appliance Live Chat Support. Yes, the appliance will still be working fine. The only thing is, if you will be sending the appliance to Cyprus, that will void the warranty as we can only repair appliances that are within UK Mike Lewis: warranty not a problem thanks it was the SN-T that was throwing me can u define this rating please Angel: No worries! The S.N is actually the serial number of the unit but I am not quite sure yet, may I know where did you locate this SN-T? Mike Lewis: its on the main label under class and yes I know which is the serial number. Class is normally temperature ranges for climate but never seen SN-T SN is normal as is St Angel: I see. Kindly stay online Mike, I'll just check it on my resources. Mike Lewis: Normal classes are N SN ST and T for various climates Angel: Yes, that is correct! Mike Lewis: SN is right on the edge for Cyprus whilst ST is OK and T well within tropical rating I just wondered what SN-T meant Angel: The appliance that we produce varies depending on where the appliance will be released or sold. There could be instances where you will be experiencing concerns with regards to temperature issue. The SN-T could mean that the ambient temperature range for the unit that you have is +10- +43 Celsius (°C). You can refer to this chart for the information Mike Lewis: That is how I was interpreting it but was not sure if it covers across te ranges then I am happy Angel: Extended Temperate - SN - {+10 to +32} Temperate - N - {+16 to +32} Subtropical - ST - {+16 to +38} Tropical - T - {+16 to +43}. Mike Lewis: Yep that what I got but as I said never seen it written as SN-T. Well I think if you are happy with that then so will I be Angel: Yes, I do understand what you mean Mike but no worries, if in any case that you have questions next time please do not hesitate to call us back or chat with us again.
Mike Lewis: Will this machine operate OK in Cyprus I cannot find Definition for SN-T
Hi Mike! My name is Angel from Home Appliance Live Chat Support. Yes, the appliance will still be working fine. The only thing is, if you will be sending the appliance to Cyprus, that will void the warranty as we can only repair appliances that are within UK
Mike Lewis: warranty not a problem thanks it was the SN-T that was throwing me can u define this rating please
Angel: No worries! The S.N is actually the serial number of the unit but I am not quite sure yet, may I know where did you locate this SN-T?
Mike Lewis: its on the main label under class and yes I know which is the serial number. Class is normally temperature ranges for climate but never seen SN-T
SN is normal as is St
Angel: I see. Kindly stay online Mike, I’ll just check it on my resources.
Mike Lewis: Normal classes are N SN ST and T for various climates
Angel: Yes, that is correct!
Mike Lewis: SN is right on the edge for Cyprus whilst ST is OK and T well within tropical rating I just wondered what SN-T meant
Angel: The appliance that we produce varies depending on where the appliance will be released or sold. There could be instances where you will be experiencing concerns with regards to temperature issue. The SN-T could mean that the ambient temperature range for the unit that you have is +10- +43 Celsius (°C).
You can refer to this chart for the information
Mike Lewis: That is how I was interpreting it but was not sure if it covers across te ranges then I am happy
Angel: Extended Temperate – SN – {+10 to +32} Temperate – N – {+16 to +32} Subtropical – ST – {+16 to +38} Tropical – T – {+16 to +43}.
Mike Lewis: Yep that what I got but as I said never seen it written as SN-T. Well I think if you are happy with that then so will I be
Angel: Yes, I do understand what you mean Mike but no worries, if in any case that you have questions next time please do not hesitate to call us back or chat with us again.
0 replies Recommended temperature just implies it will operate optimally at 18 degrees or above. It will almost certainly still operate below 18 degrees, what you need to find out is what consequences (if any) there would be if it was 16 degrees overnight, and what temperature drop would cause proper problems.
Recommended temperature just implies it will operate optimally at 18 degrees or above. It will almost certainly still operate below 18 degrees, what you need to find out is what consequences (if any) there would be if it was 16 degrees overnight, and what temperature drop would cause proper problems.
4 replies What would happen to a fridge freezer with a climate rating of T (18 - 43 ) if the temperature frequently drops to 13-14 degrees? We don't have the heating on overnight or during the day and the temp is often this low in winter before the heating goes on. We're looking for a non plumbed FF with ice dispenser and the ones we like in our price range are Ts.
What would happen to a fridge freezer with a climate rating of T (18 – 43 ) if the temperature frequently drops to 13-14 degrees? We don’t have the heating on overnight or during the day and the temp is often this low in winter before the heating goes on. We’re looking for a non plumbed FF with ice dispenser and the ones we like in our price range are Ts.
Likely replying to Sarah
Hello Sarah, try this article How are fridges and freezers affected by the room temperature?
Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)
Thanks Andy,I had read that but it’s not really quite the same as it’s not going in a garage, it makes sense to me why it would defrost if the temperature outside is lower than the fridge temperature but why wouldn’t a fridge operate properly below 18 degrees?
Likely replying to Sarah
Hello Sarah. As far as I’m aware the main issue is when temperatures fall quite low. Do they sell those climate classes in the UK? I know that overnight in winter my house easily drops below 16 degrees and can go as low as 14 – 18 degrees is the temperature that we actually have our central heating thermostat set at, so to us at least that is a nice comfortable temperature. It’s obvious that almost every house in the UK will fall below 18 degrees especially overnight in winter. I am not aware of any problems this would cause with a normal fridge, or even a fridge freezer, or freezer.
The problems I am aware of are all related to when temperatures fall considerably lower such as when inside a garage. The only thing I can think of is that the climate class you quote is not designed for the UK and is designed to be sold in countries where temperatures never drop below 18 degrees (not even sure such a country even exists).
0 replies That's my understanding too Alan, it's been discussed in earlier comments.
That’s my understanding too Alan, it’s been discussed in earlier comments.
0 replies As far as I am aware, only Beko make Fridge Freezers suitable for use outside - ie in a garage.
As far as I am aware, only Beko make Fridge Freezers suitable for use outside – ie in a garage.
1 reply what fridge should I choose when I live in western Arizona? In summer, temperatures are above 43 C. Are there no fridges for climates above 43?
what fridge should I choose when I live in western Arizona? In summer, temperatures are above 43 C. Are there no fridges for climates above 43?
0 replies That's not on the list, is it a non-UK climate class maybe?
That’s not on the list, is it a non-UK climate class maybe?
0 replies I have a ice maker with N.T maked on the back what does this referr to
I have a ice maker with N.T maked on the back what does this referr to
1 reply Re Washerhelp, My answer is "Of course you can" but the proviso is that the fridge must have a crankcase heater fitted in case of cold weather In general, domestic electrical products that are sold in the UK are IMHO "value engineered" to make the maximum amount of profit. This means that you never get a crankcase heater.
Re Washerhelp, My answer is “Of course you can” but the proviso is that the fridge must have a crankcase heater fitted in case of cold weather
In general, domestic electrical products that are sold in the UK are IMHO “value engineered” to make the maximum amount of profit. This means that you never get a crankcase heater.
Likely replying to David somewhereinuk
Thanks David. Haven’t seen them here, presumably because we don’t have such massive temperature drops. However, they wouldn’t fix the main problem of 1-stat controlled fridge-freezers defrosting when the temperature drops below freezing, which is more of a problem in the UK where temperatures in a garage drop enough to cause the stat to shut off even when the freezer still needs cooling.
0 replies All that is needed to run a fridge or freezer in an unheated garage or shed is a "crankcase heater". This is a heating element constructed like a belt. It is strapped around the compressor (AKA the motor or "pot") To save power the heater is controlled by a thermostat. The object of the exercise is to prevent the refrigerant from becoming a liquid in the compressor as once this occurs the compressor is unlikely to start. These heaters are a rarity in the UK but in countries where large temperature changes occur they are fairly common.
All that is needed to run a fridge or freezer in an unheated garage or shed is a “crankcase heater”. This is a heating element constructed like a belt. It is strapped around the compressor (AKA the motor or “pot”) To save power the heater is controlled by a thermostat. The object of the exercise is to prevent the refrigerant from becoming a liquid in the compressor as once this occurs the compressor is unlikely to start. These heaters are a rarity in the UK but in countries where large temperature changes occur they are fairly common.
0 replies The answers depend really on whether the breakdown is related to where the appliance is being used or not and there's no way of telling without it being looked at. I have 2 freezers and a fridge in my garage which have worked fine for the last 6 years. The fault may just be an unrelated fault.
The answers depend really on whether the breakdown is related to where the appliance is being used or not and there’s no way of telling without it being looked at. I have 2 freezers and a fridge in my garage which have worked fine for the last 6 years. The fault may just be an unrelated fault.
0 replies Great thread of comments and responses....... This may have been raised/mentioned previously and I've missed it, however since my fridge has just stopped working I need some help....3yrs ago we purchased a frost free tall fridge and a frost free tall freezer. We researched the "Climate Class" and discovered that only freezers would operate at below 10 degC, all fridges sold in the UK wouldn't operate below 10 degC. We placed both our new freezer and fridge in our garage, space is very limited in the kitchen and only have room for a small fridge and no freezer. The garage is unheated and remote from the house, so we understood we were taking a risk but had no alternative to increase our fridge capacity and have access to a freezer, which we need as we were expecting our first child. The freezer even during the last 2 winters has operated perfectly, the fridge until this week did also. Over the last winters temperature here in rural Somerset regulary dropped to below -10 degC and stayed well below 10 degC for long periods. It is now May and I understand Spring is late, and it has been cold, but not below 0 degC for long periods like the pervious winters, and the fridge has stopped working. When plugged in and switched on via the thermostate inside,the sound a fridge makes when it's running happens (the compressor running, black thing at the back on the bottom??), but the inside temperture of the fridge doesn't drop (chill). The compressor (if that is what it is) gets hot and continues to run, with no fall in the inside temperature of the fridge. Now my questions; 1) Can I fix my fridge cheaply or should i buy another one? 2) If purchasing a new fridge, can I buy one to function in my garage? (and not have to replace it every 3yrs) 3) Extend my existing house or move house, to allow for room in the house for a larger fridge in the house? (a bit drastic!) Thanks for staying with me but felt you need the background/info to be able answer and help. Many thanks D&H
Great thread of comments and responses…….
This may have been raised/mentioned previously and I’ve missed it, however since my fridge has just stopped working I need some help….3yrs ago we purchased a frost free tall fridge and a frost free tall freezer. We researched the “Climate Class” and discovered that only freezers would operate at below 10 degC, all fridges sold in the UK wouldn’t operate below 10 degC. We placed both our new freezer and fridge in our garage, space is very limited in the kitchen and only have room for a small fridge and no freezer. The garage is unheated and remote from the house, so we understood we were taking a risk but had no alternative to increase our fridge capacity and have access to a freezer, which we need as we were expecting our first child.
The freezer even during the last 2 winters has operated perfectly, the fridge until this week did also. Over the last winters temperature here in rural Somerset regulary dropped to below -10 degC and stayed well below 10 degC for long periods.
It is now May and I understand Spring is late, and it has been cold, but not below 0 degC for long periods like the pervious winters, and the fridge has stopped working. When plugged in and switched on via the thermostate inside,the sound a fridge makes when it’s running happens (the compressor running, black thing at the back on the bottom??), but the inside temperture of the fridge doesn’t drop (chill). The compressor (if that is what it is) gets hot and continues to run, with no fall in the inside temperature of the fridge.
Now my questions;
1) Can I fix my fridge cheaply or should i buy another one?
2) If purchasing a new fridge, can I buy one to function in my garage? (and not have to replace it every 3yrs)
3) Extend my existing house or move house, to allow for room in the house for a larger fridge in the house? (a bit drastic!)
Thanks for staying with me but felt you need the background/info to be able answer and help.
Many thanks
D&H
0 replies I have a norfrost chest freezer in my kitchen and a couple of times it has defrosted, i think that the biggest issue is not at the lowest temperature but at the highest operating temperature. If the room is sub zero and the freezer stops working then it will warm up the room temperature, still be sub zero. If the room temperate is as i believe in my case 14c then it will warm up to that tempurature. Assuming it takes a while to defrost, as long as the room tempurature during the day is above 16c and the freezer operates to cool it down , during the night it will not be operating and will slowly be defrosting until the room warms up and the freezer starts operating again. I think that the issue i am having is that even this time of year when the room is at about 14c then it is not cold enough for my central heating to be on all day and it is not warm enough for the freezer to be on all day and also it is also at a tempurature that the freezer defrosts at the most quickly. I have fitted a freezer alarm and just keep an eye on it. I think that a lot of people that have problems with defrosting and have new thermostates fitted as i did, are suffering from the same problem, the freezer is working corretly it is just that the room temperature is just too low for the freezer to operate. If would seem very silly to be selling freezers that do not work when the room tempurature is 14-15c.
I have a norfrost chest freezer in my kitchen and a couple of times it has defrosted, i think that the biggest issue is not at the lowest temperature but at the highest operating temperature. If the room is sub zero and the freezer stops working then it will warm up the room temperature, still be sub zero. If the room temperate is as i believe in my case 14c then it will warm up to that tempurature. Assuming it takes a while to defrost, as long as the room tempurature during the day is above 16c and the freezer operates to cool it down , during the night it will not be operating and will slowly be defrosting until the room warms up and the freezer starts operating again. I think that the issue i am having is that even this time of year when the room is at about 14c then it is not cold enough for my central heating to be on all day and it is not warm enough for the freezer to be on all day and also it is also at a tempurature that the freezer defrosts at the most quickly.
I have fitted a freezer alarm and just keep an eye on it.
I think that a lot of people that have problems with defrosting and have new thermostates fitted as i did, are suffering from the same problem, the freezer is working corretly it is just that the room temperature is just too low for the freezer to operate.
If would seem very silly to be selling freezers that do not work when the room tempurature is 14-15c.
0 replies anna: They've always had these climate ranges and it's never caused a problem until they decided to start making some fridge/freezers controlled by only one thermostat. If it's pretty cool, and the temperature drops overnight to below 16 degrees I wouldn't expect any real problems, it's usually when the temperature drops below that of the fridge inside (4 or 5 degrees) that the freezer stops getting cooled down because the fridge switches off. It should only cause problems when these fridge-freezers are put in very cold places which stay cold for days at a time. Imagine one in a garage, during a prolonged cold temperature of around 1 or 2 degrees for a week. This would mean the fridge may not turn on for a week because it's plenty cold enough, but because the freezer will also turn off, and it needs to keep temperatures down to -18 it could slowly defrost - especially when the freezer is opened to access frozen food or re-stock.
anna: They’ve always had these climate ranges and it’s never caused a problem until they decided to start making some fridge/freezers controlled by only one thermostat.
If it’s pretty cool, and the temperature drops overnight to below 16 degrees I wouldn’t expect any real problems, it’s usually when the temperature drops below that of the fridge inside (4 or 5 degrees) that the freezer stops getting cooled down because the fridge switches off.
It should only cause problems when these fridge-freezers are put in very cold places which stay cold for days at a time. Imagine one in a garage, during a prolonged cold temperature of around 1 or 2 degrees for a week. This would mean the fridge may not turn on for a week because it’s plenty cold enough, but because the freezer will also turn off, and it needs to keep temperatures down to -18 it could slowly defrost – especially when the freezer is opened to access frozen food or re-stock.
0 replies About climate class. N class is considered normal temperature, 16 - 32 I believe,- but surely everyone's house is not constantly above 16 degrees? My house is usually warm but I don't sleep with heating on overnight or leave the thermostat higher than 15 until the evening. Does this mean an N class freezer is unsuitable?
About climate class. N class is considered normal temperature, 16 – 32 I believe,- but surely everyone’s house is not constantly above 16 degrees? My house is usually warm but I don’t sleep with heating on overnight or leave the thermostat higher than 15 until the evening. Does this mean an N class freezer is unsuitable?
0 replies This should answer some queries. Generally Fridge freezer combi's are controlled by a single thermostat in the fridge which keeps it at around 4 degrees. If the outside air temperature falls below 4 degrees the fridge will not raise in temperature therefore the thermostat will not switch the compressor on so the freezer temperature will start to rise. If the cold spell continues the freezer contents will be defrosted. Beko frost free (not static) have electronic sensors in the freezer that sense that the freezer temperature is rising and switch on the compressor regardless of the fridge thermostat setting. Stand alone freezers operate at around -20 degrees so their thermostat is unaffected by north European cold snaps and in the unlikely event the temperature fell below -20 then why would you need a freezer!!
This should answer some queries. Generally Fridge freezer combi’s are controlled by a single thermostat in the fridge which keeps it at around 4 degrees. If the outside air temperature falls below 4 degrees the fridge will not raise in temperature therefore the thermostat will not switch the compressor on so the freezer temperature will start to rise. If the cold spell continues the freezer contents will be defrosted. Beko frost free (not static) have electronic sensors in the freezer that sense that the freezer temperature is rising and switch on the compressor regardless of the fridge thermostat setting. Stand alone freezers operate at around -20 degrees so their thermostat is unaffected by north European cold snaps and in the unlikely event the temperature fell below -20 then why would you need a freezer!!
0 replies Could moving thermostat bulb out of the inside of a fridge into small box with low wattage lamp help in someway. Or swop out a freezer thermostat for my fridge one?
Could moving thermostat bulb out of the inside of a fridge into small box with low wattage lamp help in someway.
Or swop out a freezer thermostat for my fridge one?
0 replies Tut: I've added a paragraph "what about chest freezers?" on my article - can you put a fridge freezer in a garage?
Tut: I’ve added a paragraph “what about chest freezers?” on my article – can you put a fridge freezer in a garage?
0 replies Hi, I just spent hours searching the net and reading forums and am still unsure! So, can you put a chest freezer in a unheaded garage or not? I am getting brain freeze, trying to find out. Please help
Hi,
I just spent hours searching the net and reading forums and am still unsure!
So, can you put a chest freezer in a unheaded garage or not?
I am getting brain freeze, trying to find out.
Please help
0 replies In the USA (and you can probably get them over here) it is possible to buy "crankcase heaters". These are a belt or strap tailor made to fit the compressor (the motor or "pot") of the appliance. The strap contains a heating element that consumes about fifty watts. If one has a crankcase heater it is possible to run a freezer in a garage or unheated outbuilding. It is possible to fit a thermostat so that the heater only powers up in cold weather. Not rocket science is it?
In the USA (and you can probably get them over here) it is possible to buy “crankcase heaters”. These are a belt or strap tailor made to fit the compressor (the motor or “pot”) of the appliance. The strap contains a heating element that consumes about fifty watts. If one has a crankcase heater it is possible to run a freezer in a garage or unheated outbuilding. It is possible to fit a thermostat so that the heater only powers up in cold weather. Not rocket science is it?
4 replies These are brilliantly helpful comments and I'm now plumping for a Beko FF freezer as a result, so thanks! I also want to get a separate fridge for the garage (so we can turn it on and off separately when we're not using it) but can't work out what the recommended brands are for fridges. Given the temperature issues discussed, can anyone advise how UK weather affects fridges and recommend what the best brands/models are for a garage? (Our garage is dry but not at all insulated.) Thanks.
These are brilliantly helpful comments and I’m now plumping for a Beko FF freezer as a result, so thanks!
I also want to get a separate fridge for the garage (so we can turn it on and off separately when we’re not using it) but can’t work out what the recommended brands are for fridges. Given the temperature issues discussed, can anyone advise how UK weather affects fridges and recommend what the best brands/models are for a garage? (Our garage is dry but not at all insulated.) Thanks.
Likely replying to Katy C
@Katy C
I believe the issue only arises when operating fridge freezers in garages. Basically, when the ambient temperature falls below a certain temperature, the thermostat (on single thermostat models) believes that it is cold enough to store the food in the fridge and turns off the compressor for both the fridge and the freezer and thus the contents of the freezer can defrost. If the appliance has 2 thermostats – one in the fridge and one in the freezer section – this will not occur.
As I mentioned in previous posts, I bought a Beko CDA565FW and it operated perfectly when the temperatures reached -10 last winter. I travel a lot because I am an English teacher and have lived in probably more than 30 different places over the past 30 years and I can honestly say it is the best fridge I have ever had.
Having said that, I must warn you that some models of Beko fridge freezer had a design fault which has caused fires including the one in the London block of flats recently. Here is a link for more information:
Good luck Kathy
Likely replying to Katy C
@Katy C
When the man delivered my Beko, he told me that he had far fewer call-outs to collect/repair Bekos than the other top-name brands. He shared the Comet salesperson’s opinion that they were more reliable than other big-name brands.
The model I have has a lovely, sleek design (taller and narrower than most). It does not frost up – big thumbs up! The drawers are quite roomy. It is about 50:50 (freezer/fridge). The only negative comment I read in the reviews was that shorter people find it difficult to reach the top shelf but I am 5ft 6 and I have had no problems.
Hope this helps
A x
0 replies With regard to freezers able to work in an unheated out building. I have researched a number of major manufacturers.for my own needs. Frost free uprights......only Beko minus15c-plus 32c meets my needs Chest freezers .....Bosch have mailed to say minus 6c degrees is the lowest ambient temp. All others to my knowledge both uprights & chests are plus 10 degrees. Unless you know more? Comet salesman
With regard to freezers able to work in an unheated out building. I have researched a number of major manufacturers.for my own needs. Frost free uprights……only Beko minus15c-plus 32c meets my needs Chest freezers …..Bosch have mailed to say minus 6c degrees is the lowest ambient temp. All others to my knowledge both uprights & chests are plus 10 degrees. Unless you know more? Comet salesman
0 replies Re: CHEST FREEZERS in garage sorry to tell you that they do have resricted operating temperatures as I've recently tried to find a small chest freezer and can only find one. My old one, made in denmark, was fine but now the only small one easily available , Norfrost made in scotland, hasn't been climate class rated. John Lewis do their own brand but this has an "ambient operating temperature of 10-32c " which isn't any good in a garage ! So its just the same as trying to find a fridge-freezer except there's more of those so it's actually harder to find one. Of course the sales people say not to worry as hundreds of people put their freezer in the garage........and then lose all their frozen food !! Thanks for all this freezer info on here, but shame it's so hard to find.
Re: CHEST FREEZERS in garage
sorry to tell you that they do have resricted operating temperatures as I’ve recently tried to find a small chest freezer and can only find one. My old one, made in denmark, was fine but now the only small one easily available , Norfrost made in scotland, hasn’t been climate class rated. John Lewis do their own brand but this has an “ambient operating temperature of 10-32c ” which isn’t any good in a garage !
So its just the same as trying to find a fridge-freezer except there’s more of those so it’s actually harder to find one. Of course the sales people say not to worry as hundreds of people put their freezer in the garage……..and then lose all their frozen food !!
Thanks for all this freezer info on here, but shame it’s so hard to find.
0 replies Well we got a Beko frost free freezer and it's been in the garage for around a month without a problem. It's been cold but as we're in Surrey not nearly so cold as NI
Well we got a Beko frost free freezer and it’s been in the garage for around a month without a problem. It’s been cold but as we’re in Surrey not nearly so cold as NI
0 replies I have a Scandinova upright freezer, about 10 yrs old with a climate class of N. During the cold weather in the UK in January the outside temp. went down to -15C one night & was regularly down to about -4C. I suppose the temp. in my garage where I keep the freezer was approx. zero most of the time. Instead of a temp of -18C the temp rose to -11C & stayed there until I adjusted the thermostat when it then struggled to keep at -16C. Now that the temp. outside is back to positive figures, I've had to readjust the thermostat so that -18C is maintained. I had never heard of climate class until researching this issue.
I have a Scandinova upright freezer, about 10 yrs old with a climate class of N. During the cold weather in the UK in January the outside temp. went down to -15C one night & was regularly down to about -4C. I suppose the temp. in my garage where I keep the freezer was approx. zero most of the time. Instead of a temp of -18C the temp rose to -11C & stayed there until I adjusted the thermostat when it then struggled to keep at -16C. Now that the temp. outside is back to positive figures, I’ve had to readjust the thermostat so that -18C is maintained.
I had never heard of climate class until researching this issue.
1 reply Very unlucky Neil. Is your Beko a Frost free model? According to the Beko website only the frost-free models are designed to operate in garages and outbuildings. I had no problems at all throughout the winter and am very, very pleased with the Beko!
Very unlucky Neil.
Is your Beko a Frost free model? According to the Beko website only the frost-free models are designed to operate in garages and outbuildings.
I had no problems at all throughout the winter and am very, very pleased with the Beko!
Likely replying to Anne
Hi Anne
It is indeed frost free. Like I mentioned in my previous post, wouldn’t recommend Beko to anyone because of the hassle I had. Now maybe it’s just pot luck I managed to pick the runt of the Beko litter, but I doubt it. I’m still toying with the idea of taking fridge to the council recycling point, or holding out until the weather picks up to see if new thermostat will spring back to life. While I don’t know if there’s any truth to the rumour, but there is still that slim chance it’s not working because the temperature is colder outside fridge than inside – if that makes any sense. The Samsung integrated fridge inside the house is 10yrs old and still going like a trooper.
Regards
0 replies Well Anne I live in Northern Ireland and the spare 2yr old Beko fridge in the garage hasn't worked one day since the cold snap at the start of December. Bought and replaced the thermostat a couple of days ago, worked for the best part of 20 mins and low and behold, it's stopped working once again. I'm not engineer, but I put it down to the cold weather once again. Hoping fridge will boot back into life when temperatures rise. As for Beko - avoid like the plague if putting in an outhouse/garage. I can vouch for that. Regards
Well Anne I live in Northern Ireland and the spare 2yr old Beko fridge in the garage hasn’t worked one day since the cold snap at the start of December. Bought and replaced the thermostat a couple of days ago, worked for the best part of 20 mins and low and behold, it’s stopped working once again. I’m not engineer, but I put it down to the cold weather once again. Hoping fridge will boot back into life when temperatures rise. As for Beko – avoid like the plague if putting in an outhouse/garage. I can vouch for that.
Regards
0 replies Anne - Thanks, that's very useful. We were looking to get a small, undercounter freezer which is manual defrost. What difference does the frost free make to operation in a garage (apart from the obivious). Don't know what model you have but the undercounter model has drop down doors to the shelves rather than pull out drawers - if you have them how do you get on with them eg the need to get everything out to have a rummage for what you're looking for?
Anne – Thanks, that’s very useful.
We were looking to get a small, undercounter freezer which is manual defrost. What difference does the frost free make to operation in a garage (apart from the obivious).
Don’t know what model you have but the undercounter model has drop down doors to the shelves rather than pull out drawers – if you have them how do you get on with them eg the need to get everything out to have a rummage for what you’re looking for?
0 replies @ StevieG I bought a Beko fridge freezer for the garage and it has been the best fridge freezer I have ever had! The temp went down to -10 in Northern Ireland 2 weeks ago and it worked perfectly! At the same time as I bought the Beko, I also bought an integrated Hotpoint fridge for the kitchen. The Beko is far superior to the Hotpoint - the food stays fresher in the Beko and the Beko does not frost up like the Hotpoint does. In summary, I am VERY pleased with the Beko and less than pleased with the Hotpoint! One final note: only the Beko models with the frost free are designed to function at the lower temperatures! Hope this helps! Anne
@ StevieG
I bought a Beko fridge freezer for the garage and it has been the best fridge freezer I have ever had! The temp went down to -10 in Northern Ireland 2 weeks ago and it worked perfectly!
At the same time as I bought the Beko, I also bought an integrated Hotpoint fridge for the kitchen. The Beko is far superior to the Hotpoint – the food stays fresher in the Beko and the Beko does not frost up like the Hotpoint does. In summary, I am VERY pleased with the Beko and less than pleased with the Hotpoint!
One final note: only the Beko models with the frost free are designed to function at the lower temperatures!
Hope this helps!
Anne
0 replies Don't manufacturers and shops just like to confuse us just to make sales! We fell into the trap of buying a single thermostat fridge freezer for the garage which with all the recent cold weather has been defrosting. BEKO seem to be the only manufacturer claiming you can use their freezers in the garage (down to -15C), but the freezers are still only rated SN (10-32C). So do they work or don't they? Would I have a claim against BEKO if the freezer defrosted in the garage? With the weather at the moment perhaps we should be considering importing a fridge from Scandinavia!
Don’t manufacturers and shops just like to confuse us just to make sales! We fell into the trap of buying a single thermostat fridge freezer for the garage which with all the recent cold weather has been defrosting.
BEKO seem to be the only manufacturer claiming you can use their freezers in the garage (down to -15C), but the freezers are still only rated SN (10-32C). So do they work or don’t they? Would I have a claim against BEKO if the freezer defrosted in the garage?
With the weather at the moment perhaps we should be considering importing a fridge from Scandinavia!
0 replies Julie:Useful information here - thank you but I have been told by two different salespeople in John Lewis that this defrosting can happen in this sort of appliance if it's sited in an unheated room and the temp. falls below 10C" No disrespect to the John Lewis sales people, they are probably the best informed sales people of the major retailers but they may be confusing issues. Only fridge freezers where the freezer compartment is controlled by one sensor in the fridge compartment (a stupid idea if I ever heard one) should be affected. A separate freezer will have its own sensor set to cool down to minus 18 degrees centigrade, I can't see how ambient temperatures of below 10 degrees could stop a freezer working. They already said that chest freezers aren't affected (for the same reason) and as far as I know neither should any separate freezer. It's like saying a thermostatically controlled heater set to heat a room up to 25 degrees would stop working if the room temperature got to 20 degrees. It's set to keep heating until the thing it is sensing reaches the temperature it is set to. The separate freezer is set to cool down to -18 and will keep freezing until the temperature inside is -18. I can't see how just because the temperature of the room drops to 0 degrees it could stop working thinking it's cold enough when its job is to bring the temperature down another 18 degrees lower than 0 degrees. I'm just trying to further clarify this point, which is looked at in more detail here - Freezer defrosted: Can you put a fridge freezer in a garage?
Julie:
Useful information here – thank you but I have been told by two different salespeople in John Lewis that this defrosting can happen in this sort of appliance if it’s sited in an unheated room and the temp. falls below 10C”
No disrespect to the John Lewis sales people, they are probably the best informed sales people of the major retailers but they may be confusing issues.
Only fridge freezers where the freezer compartment is controlled by one sensor in the fridge compartment (a stupid idea if I ever heard one) should be affected. A separate freezer will have its own sensor set to cool down to minus 18 degrees centigrade, I can’t see how ambient temperatures of below 10 degrees could stop a freezer working. They already said that chest freezers aren’t affected (for the same reason) and as far as I know neither should any separate freezer.
It’s like saying a thermostatically controlled heater set to heat a room up to 25 degrees would stop working if the room temperature got to 20 degrees. It’s set to keep heating until the thing it is sensing reaches the temperature it is set to.
The separate freezer is set to cool down to -18 and will keep freezing until the temperature inside is -18. I can’t see how just because the temperature of the room drops to 0 degrees it could stop working thinking it’s cold enough when its job is to bring the temperature down another 18 degrees lower than 0 degrees.
I’m just trying to further clarify this point, which is looked at in more detail here – Freezer defrosted: Can you put a fridge freezer in a garage?
1 reply Hi, Pardon my ignorance. Am I right to say for country like Singapore, it is advisable to use the ST class. Thinking of buying a SMEG fridge for use. Thank you.
Hi,
Pardon my ignorance. Am I right to say for country like Singapore, it is advisable to use the ST class. Thinking of buying a SMEG fridge for use. Thank you.
Likely replying to benson
Hello benson: ST works up to 38 degrees, T works up to 43 degrees. I don’t know enough about their climate to answer but refrigeration might be tailored for the areas they are sold in.
It would make sense for refrigeration designed to be sold in Mediterranean climates to be ST or T but refrigeration designed to be sold in cold countries may be N or SN. Therefore it’s probably best to buy from the country it’s intended to be used in which would guarantee its suitability.
If you need to buy one elsewhere knowing it will end up in another country I would contact the manufacturer for advice. There may not be a fridge that can work in cold climates as well as really hot ones and it makes no sense to sell fridges capable of running up to 43 degrees C in the UK for example. Having said that, in these days of global marketing it’s hard to say how they deal with the problem.
0 replies Hi there.. I think that you are mistaken in thinking I have a fridge freezer.... it's just an upright Frost free Freezer... I've probably misled you with using the abbreviation FF for Frost Free. Useful information here... thank you but I have been told by two different salespeople in John Lewis that this defrosting can happen in this sort of appliance if it's sited in an unheated room and the temp. falls below 10C
Hi there..
I think that you are mistaken in thinking I have a fridge freezer…. it’s just an upright Frost free Freezer… I’ve probably misled you with using the abbreviation FF for Frost Free.
Useful information here… thank you but I have been told by two different salespeople in John Lewis that this defrosting can happen in this sort of appliance if it’s sited in an unheated room and the temp. falls below 10C
0 replies Julie: As far as I 'm aware if the fridge and the freezer section have separate sensors or stats then the freezer shouldn't defrost. Any decent fridge freezer should have separate sensors for each compartment. If the freezer compartment has it's own temperature sensor I can't see how, when it's set to freeze down to -18 degrees, it should defrost simply because the outside temperature was below +10 degrees. If it doesn't have it's own sensor, and is controlled instead by the fridges sensor which is set to cool the fridge down to +5 degrees then if the temperature outside drops to say 0 degrees it will turn off the fridge. So whilst ever the temperature remains cold enough not to need the fridge cooling down any more the freezer will no longer be running either, and will slowly start to defrost if the ambient temperature remains this low for long enough.
Julie: As far as I ‘m aware if the fridge and the freezer section have separate sensors or stats then the freezer shouldn’t defrost. Any decent fridge freezer should have separate sensors for each compartment.
If the freezer compartment has it’s own temperature sensor I can’t see how, when it’s set to freeze down to -18 degrees, it should defrost simply because the outside temperature was below +10 degrees.
If it doesn’t have it’s own sensor, and is controlled instead by the fridges sensor which is set to cool the fridge down to +5 degrees then if the temperature outside drops to say 0 degrees it will turn off the fridge. So whilst ever the temperature remains cold enough not to need the fridge cooling down any more the freezer will no longer be running either, and will slowly start to defrost if the ambient temperature remains this low for long enough.
0 replies I forgot to mention that it's an upright FF freezer. I was told that the temperature falling below 10c doesn't effect chest freezers. J.L. said that they have to warn all customers buying upright FF freezers about the possibility of them defrosting when the temp falls. I was told that the freezer thinks it's down to temperature and switches itself off then doesn't trigger itself to switch back on and so defrosts complete with food!
I forgot to mention that it’s an upright FF freezer. I was told that the temperature falling below 10c doesn’t effect chest freezers.
J.L. said that they have to warn all customers buying upright FF freezers about the possibility of them defrosting when the temp falls. I was told that the freezer thinks it’s down to temperature and switches itself off then doesn’t trigger itself to switch back on and so defrosts complete with food!
1 reply I have a11 year old AEG Frost free freezer (sited in an unheated utility room) which I intend to replace as the compartment at the top gradually ices up. We have defrosted it several times which is a big and long job as it's so full and I have no-where to store the food whilst defrosting it. (baskets piled onto garage floor covered with 15tog duvet and blankets for several hours) I have never had a problem with it defrosting when the temperature drops and have been told by John Lewis that the modern refrigerants now that CFC's have been banned are the reason why several people have experienced their freezers defrosting completely when they have returned from holiday in cold weather. I am considering buying an AEG A75270GA. The info on the Appliance Warehouse website for this model states that it is 'Climate Class SN-N-ST-T' so which is it?? I'm really concerned that I may have to provide some type of thermostatic heater for the utility room (what type?) as we may be away for long periods in the winter and although we have to leave minimal heating on for house insurance purposes there is no heating in the utility room.
I have a11 year old AEG Frost free freezer (sited in an unheated utility room) which I intend to replace as the compartment at the top gradually ices up. We have defrosted it several times which is a big and long job as it’s so full and I have no-where to store the food whilst defrosting it. (baskets piled onto garage floor covered with 15tog duvet and blankets for several hours)
I have never had a problem with it defrosting when the temperature drops and have been told by John Lewis that the modern refrigerants now that CFC’s have been banned are the reason why several people have experienced their freezers defrosting completely when they have returned from holiday in cold weather.
I am considering buying an AEG A75270GA. The info on the Appliance Warehouse website for this model states that it is ‘Climate Class SN-N-ST-T’ so which is it??
I’m really concerned that I may have to provide some type of thermostatic heater for the utility room (what type?) as we may be away for long periods in the winter and although we have to leave minimal heating on for house insurance purposes there is no heating in the utility room.
Likely replying to Julie
Hello Julie: I’ve not heard of climate class being displayed like that, it basically lists them all. John Lewis don’t show the freezers climate class but lists the ambient operating temperature at which the freezer will perform best, which is 10 – 43°C. SO I interpret it as covering all the range in the old climate class list (shown on my article above).
I don’t understand the link to CFC’s in relation to this issue. Whichever refrigerants they use they cool the fridges and freezers down to the required temperature perfectly well otherwise they couldn’t use them.
The freezers defrosting issue discussed here is caused by combined fridge-freezers being controlled by only one thermostat or sensor based in the fridge compartment. A separate freezer shouldn’t defrost in low temperatures as far as I’m aware because they are set to keep running until the temperature inside is -18 degrees C so I can’t see how the temperature in the garage dropping below 10 degrees should affect it at all.
However, the manufacturers are only claiming it works “properly” down to 10 degrees. I can only assume if the temperature drops below 10 degrees it may affect energy efficiency and cost more to run, not defrost. I think they need a certain ambient temperature to assist in heat exchange and evaporation of the defrosted water which runs onto the tray at the top of the compressor.
My separate freezer has been in the garage for the last 3 years and has a defrost alarm, even when the pipes on our washer in the same area froze last year the freezer didn’t defrost.
0 replies According to the Beko website: "All Beko frost free combi fridge freezers and all freezers are designed to continue to work in cold ambient temperatures down to -15C, meaning the appliance can be stored in a garage or unheated/cold buildings and your frozen food will be protected. All Beko top mount, static fridge freezers, larders and fridges can operate in lower ambient environments down to 5C." Let's hope it works because I have just ordered one!
According to the Beko website:
“All Beko frost free combi fridge freezers and all freezers are designed to continue to work in cold ambient temperatures down to -15C, meaning the appliance can be stored in a garage or unheated/cold buildings and your frozen food will be protected.
All Beko top mount, static fridge freezers, larders and fridges can operate in lower ambient environments down to 5C.”
Let’s hope it works because I have just ordered one!
1 reply By the way: N 16 Deg C 32 Deg C = NORMAL SN 10 Deg C 32 Deg C = SUB-NORMAL ST 18 Deg C 38 Deg C = SUB-TROPICAL T 18 Deg C 43 Deg C = TROPICAL I hope this helps!
By the way:
N 16 Deg C 32 Deg C = NORMAL
SN 10 Deg C 32 Deg C = SUB-NORMAL
ST 18 Deg C 38 Deg C = SUB-TROPICAL
T 18 Deg C 43 Deg C = TROPICAL
I hope this helps!
0 replies Thank you for this very useful article - you saved me from making a very costly mistake! After painstaking research (there seem to be little information on the subject), I discovered that all Beko frost free fridge freezers will operate in temperature as low as -15 deg Celsius. I cannot vouch for the brand as I have never heard of them but you may find this information useful.
Thank you for this very useful article – you saved me from making a very costly mistake!
After painstaking research (there seem to be little information on the subject), I discovered that all Beko frost free fridge freezers will operate in temperature as low as -15 deg Celsius. I cannot vouch for the brand as I have never heard of them but you may find this information useful.
0 replies This is completely true with any fridge. having it in a area that is not at room temp can throw the temp inside completely off. And the worst case seneario is destroying anything you have inside.
This is completely true with any fridge. having it in a area that is not at room temp can throw the temp inside completely off. And the worst case seneario is destroying anything you have inside.
0 replies Thanks M. If it's just a wine cooler creating temperatures similar to a fridge then if it gets cold in the garage and the fridge turns off it will still be cold inside the cooler. This issue only really affects a certain type of combined fridge-freezer. However, the issue of the recommended climate class still remains so I can't guarantee there would be no issues at all. A garage may get very hot in summer for example, which may cause the cooler to have to work very hard.
Thanks M. If it’s just a wine cooler creating temperatures similar to a fridge then if it gets cold in the garage and the fridge turns off it will still be cold inside the cooler. This issue only really affects a certain type of combined fridge-freezer.
However, the issue of the recommended climate class still remains so I can’t guarantee there would be no issues at all. A garage may get very hot in summer for example, which may cause the cooler to have to work very hard.
0 replies Fantastic, useful info....i am trying to run a LEC wine cooler in a garage,and of course had i read your previous comments i would have realised the chiller has a climate rating, which is much warmer than my garage, and hence the chiller would not work properly! Many thanks.
Fantastic, useful info….i am trying to run a LEC wine cooler in a garage,and of course had i read your previous comments i would have realised the chiller has a climate rating, which is much warmer than my garage, and hence the chiller would not work properly! Many thanks.
0 replies In reply to Anthony's comment of a garage fridge yes they are available in the UK. Although not specifically called that. They work on a small heating element just by the fridgestat phile which fools the fridge into thinking it is warmer then it actually is (not for prolonged use though as I have seen a few faults from the switch being left on. Also some of the fridges which run NTCs instead of stats run ambient temp sensors which the electronics work out the temp required. But always research the model you want not with sales staff though with the manufacturer or an engineer.
In reply to Anthony’s comment of a garage fridge yes they are available in the UK. Although not specifically called that. They work on a small heating element just by the fridgestat phile which fools the fridge into thinking it is warmer then it actually is (not for prolonged use though as I have seen a few faults from the switch being left on. Also some of the fridges which run NTCs instead of stats run ambient temp sensors which the electronics work out the temp required. But always research the model you want not with sales staff though with the manufacturer or an engineer.
0 replies some fridge freezers have an ambient switch in the fridge cavity,on a few models this switches the 10w lamp on to raise the fridge temp. FACT. DOES NOT INCLUDE 15W BULB MODELS
some fridge freezers have an ambient switch in the fridge cavity,on a few models this switches the 10w lamp on to raise the fridge temp. FACT.
DOES NOT INCLUDE 15W BULB MODELS
0 replies Thanks for your input C. Of course if they simply installed a separate thermostat control for the freezer compartment it would solve the problem for less cost and with less complication.
Thanks for your input C. Of course if they simply installed a separate thermostat control for the freezer compartment it would solve the problem for less cost and with less complication.
0 replies Having a cold plate with a defrost heat would solve the problem but defrost heaters aren't the most reliable of gadgets. The temperature in the fridge must be approx 3.4 on the cold plate for the fridge - fridge/freezer to cycle and so a defrost heater would raise the temperature to cause the unit to cycle but they can blow and occasionally blow through the cold plate. The thermostat senses the temperature of the cold plate and switches the unit off at approx -24 degrees and it switches back on at +3.4 so the aim is to raise the cold plate temperature above +3.4 and a defrost heater is by far the cheapest and easiest way of doing this.
Having a cold plate with a defrost heat would solve the problem but defrost heaters aren’t the most reliable of gadgets.
The temperature in the fridge must be approx 3.4 on the cold plate for the fridge – fridge/freezer to cycle and so a defrost heater would raise the temperature to cause the unit to cycle but they can blow and occasionally blow through the cold plate. The thermostat senses the temperature of the cold plate and switches the unit off at approx -24 degrees and it switches back on at +3.4 so the aim is to raise the cold plate temperature above +3.4 and a defrost heater is by far the cheapest and easiest way of doing this.
0 replies James: That sounds iffy to me to be honest. It would have to be not mains voltage, and also waterproof to run in such a damp environment. Also, if the bulb is capable of raising the temperature of the fridge above 5 degrees to trigger the stat then the fridge would be constantly competing with the bulb to maintain the temperature at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 degrees depending on which setting the thermostat is set to. I never trust salesmen ;-)
James: That sounds iffy to me to be honest. It would have to be not mains voltage, and also waterproof to run in such a damp environment.
Also, if the bulb is capable of raising the temperature of the fridge above 5 degrees to trigger the stat then the fridge would be constantly competing with the bulb to maintain the temperature at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 degrees depending on which setting the thermostat is set to.
I never trust salesmen ;-)
0 replies I was told by a fridge salesman that a low-power light bulb,permanently switched on and placed in the fridge compartment will provide enough heat to periodically force the fridge to operate and thus maintain the required temperature in the freezer section. This is probably what the Whirlpool Gladiator fridge that Anthony Chapman refers to is doing.
I was told by a fridge salesman that a low-power light bulb,permanently switched on and placed in the fridge compartment will provide enough heat to periodically force the fridge to operate and thus maintain the required temperature in the freezer section. This is probably what the Whirlpool Gladiator fridge that Anthony Chapman refers to is doing.
0 replies The problem is to do with the outside temperature causing the thermostat inside the appliance to shut off the compressor. If the appliance is a fridge-freezer with only one thermostat in the fridge section controlling the fridge and freezer section it will cause the freezer to stop cooling too. The only remedy is to prevent the ambient temperature getting too cold or move the appliance to a better location. The condenser at the back gets hot and needs to dissipate heat, insulating it wouldn't affect the thermostat inside the fridge turning off because the ambient are in the room has become cold enough to trigger it.
The problem is to do with the outside temperature causing the thermostat inside the appliance to shut off the compressor. If the appliance is a fridge-freezer with only one thermostat in the fridge section controlling the fridge and freezer section it will cause the freezer to stop cooling too.
The only remedy is to prevent the ambient temperature getting too cold or move the appliance to a better location. The condenser at the back gets hot and needs to dissipate heat, insulating it wouldn’t affect the thermostat inside the fridge turning off because the ambient are in the room has become cold enough to trigger it.
0 replies Would draping a blanket over a freezer's condenser during the winter solve the problem?
Would draping a blanket over a freezer’s condenser during the winter solve the problem?
0 replies SN and T are both separate classes. Could it be a fridge freezer with different classes for each unit? Not sure.
SN and T are both separate classes. Could it be a fridge freezer with different classes for each unit? Not sure.
0 replies What does SN-T mean ; its seen on some Refrigerators
What does SN-T mean ; its seen on some Refrigerators
1 reply Is it possible to insulate the siting i.e an outside shed to make it suitable for housing a fridge freezer?
Is it possible to insulate the siting i.e an outside shed to make it suitable for housing a fridge freezer?
Likely replying to Peter Munn
Hello Peter: The issue with a shed or out-building is that they can get way too hot or way too cold. If one is modified so that it maintains similar temperatures to those inside the house it should be ok – if that can be done. Insulating may help in winter, but could make it even hotter in summer – not that we have much of one in the UK these days.
0 replies Excuse-me, But I think what is interesting people like Anthony and me is knowing if it is possible to buy in Europe a freezer we can put in our garage. And, in our temperate countries, temperature in a garage could vary from -10°C to +40°C ... And, even in winter, I don't want to cook all what I have in my freezer. Thanks a lot in helping us in putting this noisy thermodynamic machin in our garage The Mountain Troll
Excuse-me,
But I think what is interesting people like Anthony and me is knowing if it is possible to buy in Europe a freezer we can put in our garage.
And, in our temperate countries, temperature in a garage could vary from -10°C to +40°C … And, even in winter, I don’t want to cook all what I have in my freezer.
Thanks a lot in helping us in putting this noisy thermodynamic machin in our garage
The Mountain Troll
1 reply not sure if this right forum for this question. If i buy a fridge/freezer in the uk and then ship it out to cyprus would it work ok given that temperatures in cyprus are far higher than uk
not sure if this right forum for this question. If i buy a fridge/freezer in the uk and then ship it out to cyprus would it work ok given that temperatures in cyprus are far higher than uk
0 replies I think it's highly unlikely Tony. Not unless there are parts of Europe where such a requirement would be desired. The idea of a fridge needing to heat up its contents instead of cooling them down is quite novel for the UK :-)
I think it’s highly unlikely Tony. Not unless there are parts of Europe where such a requirement would be desired. The idea of a fridge needing to heat up its contents instead of cooling them down is quite novel for the UK :-)
0 replies Whirpool in North America sells a garage fridge (Gladiator), which can operate at sub-zero temperatures because it has a heater as well as a cooling unit. Can this model, or any analogue, be purchased in Europe. Thanks Tony
Whirpool in North America sells a garage fridge (Gladiator), which can operate at sub-zero temperatures because it has a heater as well as a cooling unit.
Can this model, or any analogue, be purchased in Europe.
Thanks
Tony
The actual spec of the fridge freezer states working temperature range is 16°C to 38°C, the appliance is kept in the kitchen, in the colder months the temperature of the room would indeed regularly fall below 16 when the heating is off, we have only had problems in winter. After the compressor change and re-gas on 9th March the fridge freezer was on all day and the fridge didn’t get cold at all and the freezer as low as -1. An engineer is coming again tomorrow, I’m hoping they will give up on it and offer me a new fridge in which case I will make sure it is climate class SN.