Should I leave my refrigerator running in an unheated house?

It is not recommended to leave the refrigerator on if you are not heating the house. If the temperature in the house drops below 36 degrees the refrigerator shuts down and stops cooling, which in turn shuts down the freezer section, causing it to warm up. Extreme cold temperatures can affect critical parts like the compressor and thermostat. Most refrigerators are self-defrosting and will not defrost if the temperature is too low.

 If you are storing a refrigerator that has a water reservoir in an unheated garage, make sure that you drain the water. To do this,

●   Turn off the water supply to the refrigerator.

● Remove and discard the water filter (if applicable). Engage the water dispenser for several minutes to purge the water line. Remove and discard all ice from the ice bin. Keep the ice maker turned on for 24 hours to use up any remaining water in the water line. Disconnect the water supply line connected to the back of the refrigerator (have a bucket or container ready for any remaining water).

● Wipe down the inside of the refrigerator and freezer with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Turn the ice maker to the “OFF” position. Unplug the refrigerator; for proper air circulation put a folded towel over the door so it won’t shut and seal. If you don’t the water will freeze and cause damage to the tank or tubing. You might want to consider removing the water valve to be safe.

Did you know that plugging a refrigerator in too soon after it has been unplugged can lead to overheating? You should always allow some time for the compressor to cool down and stabilize before plugging it back in. You don’t want your refrigerator to overheat because it  can result in motor damage and breakdowns.