The service life of the refrigerator compressor

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Have you noticed that your refrigerator has become less effective, has become more noisy, or has your electricity bill soared? These problems may stem from the aging of your refrigerator compressor. As the core component of the refrigerator, the life of the compressor directly affects the performance and cost of the equipment.

1、Compressor life

The design life of mainstream refrigerator compressors is 8-15 years, depending on the material, process and use environment. The fully enclosed piston compressor is made of high-strength alloy steel and can withstand 2000 hours of continuous operation; the inverter compressor can extend its life to more than 12 years through intelligent adjustment of speed. However, the actual life is affected by factors such as voltage fluctuations, ambient temperature, and frequency of use, and needs to be evaluated in conjunction with specific scenarios.

2、Replace the signal:

①．The refrigeration effect is poor: the internal wear of the compressor leads to a decrease in the refrigeration efficiency, the temperature of the refrigerating chamber cannot be reduced to below 4°C, and the freezing chamber is unevenly frosted. It is necessary to be alert to refrigerant leakage or compressor cylinder wear.

②．Abnormal noise: normal compressor noise ≤ 45 decibels, if there is a “click” impact or continuous buzzing, may be the internal bearing wear or piston stuck, need to repair immediately.

③．Power consumption surge: the aging of the compressor leads to a decrease in power. In order to maintain the temperature, the power consumption of the new machine increases by more than 30%, which can be monitored by smart meters.

④．Overheating of radiator: The temperature of the compressor shell exceeds 65 ℃ (normal ≤ 55 ℃), indicating poor heat dissipation or increased internal friction, which may cause thermal protection shutdown.

⑤．Use for more than ten years: Even if there is no obvious failure, the failure rate of compressors exceeding the design life will increase sharply. It is recommended to plan and replace in advance to avoid food corruption caused by sudden failure.

3、The secret to extend the life of the compressor

①．Ensure heat dissipation: ventilation environment is the foundation

The back of the refrigerator should be kept ≥ 10cm heat dissipation space, and the top should not be covered with dust cloth to ensure efficient heat dissipation of the condenser. In summer, the refrigerator can be moved to a cool place to avoid direct sunlight causing the compressor to overheat.

②．Reduce the burden: scientific use is the key

Avoid frequent opening and closing of doors (≤ 15 times per day) to reduce the loss of cold air; Hot food needs to be cooled to room temperature before being put in to avoid overload start of the compressor; The refrigerator compartment should not be filled, and 20% of the space should be reserved to promote air circulation.

③．regular cleaning: maintenance is indispensable

Clean the condenser dust with a soft brush every quarter, check the sealing of the door seal every six months, and replace it in time if it is aging. Check the refrigerant pressure with a professional detector every year, and replenish it in time when it is insufficient to avoid compressor idling wear.

④．Check the seal: details determine the life

The aging of the door seal will lead to the leakage of cold air, and the compressor needs to work continuously to maintain the temperature. A4 paper can be used to test the tightness: pull the paper after closing the refrigerator door, and replace the door seal if it is easily pulled out.

Conclusion

Refrigerator compressor life is the common result of scientific use and regular maintenance. By identifying the 5 replacement signal, the risk of failure can be predicted in advance, and the compressor life can be effectively extended to more than 15 years by ensuring heat dissipation, reducing the burden, regular cleaning and checking the seal.