It’s a new year, and many of us are itching to finally cash in that travel voucher for the trip we had booked for 2020. One of the last rooms you’ll wrap up before you jump in the cab for the airport is your kitchen – throwing out any perishables, taking out the trash. You may also wonder – should I unplug the refrigerator?
It almost never makes sense to unplug your refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerators are not a taxing appliance energy-wise, and when calculated, typically cost less than $100 per year to run, so there are no significant savings associated with unplugging. They are designed to run constantly and their lifecycle is preserved best when they do so.
There are, however, a few scenarios that may justify unplugging your refrigerator. We’ll walk through what those are, how to go about it, and what the potential side effects are below.
How Long Can You Leave a Refrigerator Unplugged?
Before we get into the scenarios that justify unplugging your refrigerator, it is helpful to understand how your refrigerator works and how this process can be interrupted when unplugged.
Refrigerators stay cool thanks to their compressor – essentially, the motor that circulates cooling agent throughout. This function is designed to run constantly.
When you unplug your refrigerator, the compressor stops functioning, and the cooling agent settles. Being in this “off” state does not harm the compressor or the refrigerator, so there is no time limit to the amount of time a refrigerator can remain unplugged.
Of course, if there is any food still stored in the refrigerator, it must be removed if the appliance is to remain unplugged indefinitely.
When Is It Worth Unplugging Your Refrigerator?
As we just discussed, refrigerators are designed for 24/7 use, so in most cases, it doesn’t make sense to unplug simply because the refrigerator is not in use. There are, however, a few exceptions:
Extended Vacations
If you plan to be away for 4 weeks or more, it may be worth unplugging (as with all your other appliances) to reduce the risk of electrical fires while you are out.
Refrigerator Malfunction
If your refrigerator is unable to remain cool, there may be a problem with the compressor. If the motor continues to attempt to fire up unsuccessfully, this poses a risk of electrical fire, and it is best to unplug the appliance for safety until fixed or replaced.
Cleaning
If you need to deep clean your refrigerator, you can unplug your refrigerator for a short time. Make sure to clean each area, dry thoroughly, and leave the doors open for a short time to ensure the appliance has a chance to air out. Simply re-plug once your cleaning is complete.
Will My Refrigerator Leak If I Unplug It?
If any of the above scenarios apply to you, you likely have decided to unplug your refrigerator. Naturally, the cooling feature of the appliance will stop functioning, and eventually, the refrigerator will come to room temperature.
You may be imagining your refrigerator like a giant ice cube – if no longer connected to its power source, will it leak? The good news is, simply being unplugged does not cause a refrigerator to leak, but there are a few components to your refrigerator that if not properly taken care of, may.
Self-defrost
If your refrigerator or freezer has a defrost feature, the drains that remove the water from the freezer may still function for a while after the unit is unplugged, especially if they are clogged. It may be wise to check the defrost drains, typically located in the back of the freezer, if you have unplugged your unit.
Condensation pan
Like air conditioners, refrigerators remove humidity from the air as coolant is circulated. This humidity condenses and drains into the unit’s condensation pan, and then evaporates while the unit is running due to the heat of the motor, which is near the pan.
If the motor is not running (for example, while the unit is unplugged), the water may not evaporate, and overflow. Check the pan by removing it from the front grill of your refrigerator. Dump out any water, give the pan a thorough scrub, and replace it.
Forgotten ice
It may slip your mind to turn off your ice maker and empty the tray, but room temperature ice means water! Be sure to thoroughly clean out your ice maker if you are unplugging your refrigerator.
What To Do When Unplugging a Refrigerator
If you do choose to unplug your refrigerator for a long vacation or you are awaiting maintenance, there are a couple of steps to take:
- Ensure that you have completely removed the plug from the wall socket. Simply turning off the socket will not have the same effect, as your refrigerator will still be connected to the electrical source.
- Be sure to remove all food from your refrigerator. The CDC’s guidance is that food left in a non-functioning refrigerator for more than 4 hours, a half-full freezer for 24 hours, or a full freezer for 48 hours should be disposed of. Chances are, if you have chosen to unplug, you plan to leave it that way for some time. Avoid any unpleasant odors or pests, and toss it!
Does Unplugging a Refrigerator Damage It?
The act of unplugging your refrigerator alone does not damage your refrigerator (consider other kitchen appliances you choose to unplug for shorter vacations, IE a toaster. No damage there!).
However, if you are too hasty to re-plug, that may cause overload to your refrigerator’s compressor as it works extra hard to resume circulating the cooling gas throughout the machine.
This can cause the motor to overload, and fail. In order to avoid this scenario, be sure to leave your refrigerator unplugged for at least 15 minutes before plugging it back in.
Should You Unplug a Refrigerator If It’s Not Working?
If your refrigerator isn’t properly cooling, there are a number of potential causes. A couple of simple tests will tell you whether the problem is your power source, or the appliance itself.
- If the unit light turns on when you open the door, then the power is indeed working.
- To then check whether the problem may be an overloaded compressor, you can unplug your refrigerator from the power source and leave for at least 15 minutes. Then, plug the unit in again and give it a few minutes. If the cold air is circulating once again, the compressor has begun to function properly.
- If that doesn’t work, it may be worth trying to unplug and leave your refrigerator for 24 hours (that is, if it’s not too inconvenient to dispose of all food in the unit). In the case that the coils have frozen over, preventing the air from circulating over them and cooling the air, this will allow any ice to melt. If, after re-plugging, the refrigerator is now working properly, then the problem may be a faulty defrost controller that needs replacing.
In any case, if your refrigerator is connected to a power source but is not functioning properly, it is best to unplug it to prevent an electrical fire that may be caused by faulty components.
In summary, you should leave your refrigerator plugged in, even if not in use, as it is designed to run 24/7.
If you will be away for a month or more, or your refrigerator is not functioning properly, take the proper precautions to unplug your refrigerator, remove all food items and ice, and be sure to wait at least 15 minutes before plugging in again to avoid damage to your appliance.