Washington DC Refrigerator Repair Question: What is a Refrigerator Defrost Heater?

May 7th, 2012

Every contemporary refrigerator in Washington DC uses a defrost heater.  But exactly what is a refrigerator defrost heater?  It is that fun little part that regulates the temperature of the fridge in order to keep the food cold.  The defrost heater is a wire filament which is enclosed in a tube sheath made of glass, quartz, aluminum or some other material.  The tube sheath gets hot when powered, thus helping the fridge through the defrost cycle.

The defrost heater is a part of the automatic defrost technology which runs for short periods of time to melt any frost that has formed.  For every six to twelve hours of compressor operation, the defrost heater is run for approximately fifteen minutes to a half-hour.  Mounted just below the evaporator coil, the defrost heater is protected from short circuits with fusible links.  On older refrigerators, the defrost timer ran continuously.  However, today’s refrigerator’s activate the defrost heater once the compressor motor runs—which is much less often—in order to save energy.  Thus, when the refrigerator door is left closed the compressor and hence the heating element will run less frequently.

It is easy to tell when a defrost heater breaks because it will normally cause the freezer to warm up a lot.  There might even be some frost which formed at the back of the freezer.

Tips for Testing a Refrigerator Defrost Heater

  • Find the Defrost Heater:  Disconnect the refrigerator’s power supply from the wall.  Open the back panel and locate the defrost heater: usually located below the evaporator coils under the freezer door or behind the back panel.  Remove any additional objects such as food or freezer shelves.
  • Check the Timer: If it is actually the timer that has broken, look for the advance screw on the timer and advance it. Wait thirty minutes.  If the timer has not advanced, replace it.  Once replaced, if the heater is still not working it’s time to move on!
  • Check the Temperature Settings: if the dial is easily accessible it might have been tapped into a new temperature. Readjust this. The defroster should start if it is working properly. Otherwise, move on!
  • Check the Air Flow: Make sure vents are not blocked and remove any dust or debris. This can cause a higher interior temperature as well.
  • Check the Condenser Coil:  Vacuum around the condenser coil to remove any dust or debris that could be causing it to operate improperly.
  • Check Wire Connections:  Untwist and unkink wires which have settled or moved out of place, and ensure they have secure connections.  Faulty connections can cause improper cooling issues.
  • Check the Thermostat:  Pull out the thermostat and see if the heater works when the thermostat is not connected.  If it works, replacing the thermostat could fix the problem.

If once all of these steps have been completed you find that the refrigerator defrost heater is still not working properly it will need to be replaced.  This is an easy fix as the old one just needs to be unscrewed and removed and the new one put in its place, but if you are not comfortable doing it contact a certified Washington DC appliance repair technician, like the ones at All Time Services!

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Gaithersburg Refrigerator Repair Guide: How to Replace the Condenser Fan Motor

April 23rd, 2012

There are three common sources of noise on the outside of your Gaithersburg refrigerator – the defrost timer, the compressor and the condenser fan motor. If the latter breaks, you can actually replace it yourself, saving a lot of time and money and getting your refrigerator back to smooth, quiet operation in no time.

Replacing the Fan Motor

Make sure you have all the materials needed to replace your condenser fan motor. These include a new fan motor, some method of moving the refrigerator (the fan motor is in the back and you’ll need to turn the device to reach it), and some pliers and wrenches. Since this is a complicated operation, if you have no experience with appliance repair, call for a professional.

  1. Check the Motor – The first step is to inspect the motor and see what has happened. Unplug your refrigerator and move the fridge into an easier location to inspect it. Clean any debris and lint away from the fan motor and then see if the fan actually moves. In some cases, it is the fan blades that need to be replaced and not the motor.
  2. Remove the Old Motor – Once you purchase whatever component you need for the fridge, remove the old motor from the fridge. Do this by unplugging the wires from the terminal and unmounting the device. It should be relatively easy to take off. There are mounting brackets on this motor as well that need to be removed and placed on your new motor.
  3. Installing a New Motor – With mounting brackets transferred to the new motor, install the new device in your refrigerator the same as you removed the old one. Make sure the fan blades and assembly are all in place and reattach the wires to the terminal block (see your manual for placement).

If you are unsure of anything during this repair, however, make sure to call All Time Services who can help you get the job done right. Call us for all of your Gaithersburg refrigerator repair needs!

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Washington Appliance Repair Tip: Refrigerator FAQs

April 9th, 2012

The refrigerator keeping food fresh in your Washington DC home is an important and often over-looked appliance, taken for granted because they typically work without much attention and have been fixtures in our kitchens our entire lives.  To ensure their continued functioning of your appliance, it is important to have a few basic answers to questions within easy reach.

What are indications that it is time for a new one?

If temperatures stay warmer no matter how low the thermostat is set, problems with the compressor may be the cause.  The cost of repair usually does not make sense.

Is there any regular maintenance required?

Dust and debris may accumulate behind or underneath the refrigerator restricting airflow to the coils which are critical to the production of cool air.  Regularly pulling out the refrigerator to sweep behind helps the efficiency.

My refrigerator seems to run all the time.  Is there a problem?

To maintain a cool temperature, many refrigerators run typically 50% or more of the time.  Modern advancements and better technology have produced more efficient models, but factors such as the climate, the amount of food in the refrigerator and the age of the motor will be factors.  Check to make sure the sealants around the door are still in good shape as air leakage at that point can be a common problem.

What are typical repairs needed to a refrigerator?

Replacing the door seals once or twice in a decade will lengthen the life of a refrigerator.  A mal-functioning ice-maker or dispenser may need to be replaced. In higher-end models, replacing the compressor for about is worth the repair over a replacement of the entire unit.

Is a leak a serious problem?

A puddle under the refrigerator is typically a sign of a leak, but does not mean a replacement is necessary.  It may be a leak from the tube feeding the ice-maker which can be simply remedied by a tightening of the compression fitting at either connection.

In the process of changing temperatures, condensation occurs which should be collected in a pan usually underneath.  If the refrigerator is not level, the pan may overflow.  If the line to the pan develops a build-up of ice, it may become blocked and the water will find another way out or build-up inside.

For any of your Washington DC appliance repair needs, give All Time Services a call today!

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Washington D.C. Refrigerator Repairman Guide: How Refrigerators Work

March 26th, 2012

A cold drink poured out from a container in your Washington D.C. refrigerator is done without thought today, but eighty years ago was a miracle of modern convenience affordable only to the very rich.  Large blocks of ice were once delivered and stored in a box to keep food cool, making the name “ice box” linger as a term for refrigerators long afterwards.

Without refrigeration, our eating habits would be very different because many foods in our diet would go bad within a day.

The Theory

Bacteria spoils food.  The fundamental idea behind a refrigerator is to keep food cool so that the natural process of bacterial damage is slowed.  By freezing food, you can stop the bacteria altogether.

When a liquid evaporates into gas, it absorbs heat in the process. If you want to get rid of heat, you need to coax that liquid to convert back into its gaseous state.  Refrigerators and freezers are designed to condition the air in a confined space to much cooler temperatures to slow or stop the process of bacterial decay and preserve food longer.

The Process

A refrigerator uses five components to manufacture the cooler temperatures:

  • a compressor
  • heat-exchanger pipes outside the unit
  • heat-exchanging pipes inside the unit
  • an expansion valve
  • and a refrigerant, a liquid that evaporates rapidly

Ammonia, in its pure state, boils at a brisk minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit and turns to gas.  The compressor forces this ammonia gas into a pressurized state that creates heat.  Flowing through the coils of outside piping, the heat is allowed to dissipate which condenses the gas back into its liquid state.

In this pressurized state, the liquid travels through the expansion valve where low pressure on the other side allows the liquid to cool back to its boiling point.  At that low temperature, the ammonia cools the air inside the piping and within the refrigerator as well.

A Better world

Since pure ammonia is very toxic to human health, a substitute known as CFCs (clorofluorolcarbons) was used until it was discovered that they were harmful to the environment.  Today, all refrigerators and air conditioners use refrigerants that do not destroy the ozone.

If you have any questions about your Washington D.C. refrigerator, please give All Time Services a call today!

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Arlington Refrigerator Repair Tip: Signs of a Refrigerator Door Problem

March 14th, 2012

As simple as it seems, your refrigerator door can be a major problem if it has a bad gasket or hinge. Here are a few reasons why your Arlington refrigerator‘s door is so important and what you should look for if you suspect a problem.

 The Importance of Your Refrigerator Door

Your refrigerator works by extracting heat and humidity from the inside of the appliance. The refrigerator door has gaskets that seal during this process, keeping warm, humid air from entering the device. This allows your compressor to run less frequently and for your food to stay a steady temperature consistently.

Electricity is wasted when the refrigerator doesn’t work properly and your compressor is forced to work harder which can lead to unnecessarily early repairs.

 Signs of a Problem

There are many signs that your refrigerator door needs to be repaired. Here are some of the most common:

  • Frost Build Up – Frost build up occurs when the door gaskets don’t seal properly and humidity gets into the freezer or refrigeration unit and freezes.
  • Poor Cooling – This actually occurs as a result of the frost build up caused by bad door gaskets. Frost build up can block evaporator coils and drains and reduce the efficiency of the cooling in your refrigerator.
  • Won’t Stay Closed – If the refrigerator door won’t stay closed, it can be a sign of either bad gaskets or hinges. In either case, you need to have the problem fixed before excess frost and inefficient cooling cost you money.

Other problems can occur, especially in the freezer unit of your refrigerator. If you notice anything that results in poor cooling, bad seals on the doors or water leakage, you may need repairs done.

If you do need repairs done, don’t hesitate to call All Time Services. It may seem like a small problem, but the cost of not having the repairs done can far outweigh the actual repairs if you wait too long. We should be able to fix the problem relatively quickly.

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Rockville Refrigerator Repair Question: Why Is My Fridge So Noisy?

February 29th, 2012

A refrigerator is one of those appliancesin your Rockville home that sits quietly doing its job unimpeded for years at a time. When it suddenly starts to make a lot of extra noise, it often means there is something wrong with your freezer. So, instead of sitting back and waiting for the system to breakdown completely, here are some things to keep in mind.

Causes of the Noise

On the outside of your refrigerator are three components that have a habit of being noisy when there are mechanical issues. The first is the compressor, the second the condenser fan motor and the third is the defrost timer.

  • Compressor – The compressor – that case at the bottom of the refrigerator covered in tubes – is a very important part of your device. It compresses the gas that evaporates and removes moisture and heat from the cooling units in your device. If it is making a lot of noise, you quite probably need a new compressor or possibly even a new refrigerator.
  • Condenser Fan – The condenser fan is located on the back of your refrigerator behind a panel and is used to remove the heat from the refrigerator. If it is making excess noise, it may simply be a cleaning issue. Remove the panel and clean any lint or dirt off the fan blades (make sure it is unplugged first). If it continues, call a repair person to inspect.
  • Defrost Timer – The defrost timer is responsible for defrosting your refrigerator at a set interval – ensuring excess frost is removed as needed. If the motor becomes noisy it likely needs to be replaced, a relatively simple process.

Noise from your fridge is never a good sign. That is why it is so important to inspect it as soon as possible in case it is a problem you can solve. If not, call All Time Services immediately. If you can avoid needing a new refrigerator, you’ll want to take action as fast as you can to make that happen.

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Springfield Repairman Tip: Common Refrigerator Compression Problems

February 22nd, 2012

The compressor is the single most important component in your Springfield home’s refrigerator. It is responsible for compressing the gas that is circulated throughout the fridge to remove heat and humidity and keep things cold. If the compressor breaks, at best the refrigerator will run constantly to maintain a steady temperature and at worst will be unable to keep your food cold at all. So, it is good to know the common problems you might have with the compressor and what to do about them.

  • Random Functioning – If the compressor turns on and off frequently for no clear reason, there are a number of possible problems. The first you should check for is a faulty relay. Even just a dirty relay can cause the compressor to short out and turn off. To test this, you’ll need to use a multimeter on the compressor when the fridge is unplugged. If you are unsure how to use a multimeter, call a professional for assistance.
  • Not Cold – Another common problem is that your refrigerator won’t be cold at all. If this is the case, there are a number of possible causes, but the compressor should be at the top of the list. To do this, use your multimeter to test the terminal in your fridge. It should read zero. Now, test the various other terminals in the box. The only spot in the fridge that should have a reading is the ground for the compressor. If it doesn’t give a reading, it might be dead.

Getting Your Compressor Inspected

If either of these things is a problem, it is important to call a professional right away because your compressor may be broken. Unfortunately, a broken compressor cannot be repaired in many cases. It most often needs to be replaced. A professional can help you determine if this is the case and if so, what your most cost efficient option is. Call All Time Services today for any problems with your refrigerator!

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Happy President’s Day from Your Washington DC Area Repairman!

February 20th, 2012

Everyone at All Time Services wishes you a happy President’s Day! Today we appreciate all of the great leaders that helped shape our nation. Whether you have the day off today or not, it is a good time to think about how you can help make community a better place. From volunteering to recycling, helping improve your town can be pretty simple. Even a little act of kindness can make a big difference!

Here is some great trivia about our presidents in honor of this day:

  • The only president who never married
    •  James Buchanan
  • Number of presidents who never attended college
    • Nine (Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Cleveland, and Truman)
  • Number of presidents who died in office
    •  Eight (Harrison, Taylor, Garfield, Lincoln, McKinley, F.D. Roosevelt, Kennedy)
  • Presidents Portrayed on US coins
    • Lincoln (penny)
    • F.D.  Roosevelt (dime)
    • Kennedy (half-dollar)
    • Eisenhower (dollar coin)
    • Jefferson (nickel)
    • Washington (quarter)
  • Presidents Portrayed on US Currency
    • Washington (one dollar bill)
    • Jefferson (two dollar bill)
    • Lincoln (five dollar bill)
    • Hamilton (ten dollar bill)
    • Jackson (twenty dollar bill)
    • Grant  (fifty dollar bill)
    • Franklin (one hundred dollar bill)

Have a great President’s Day!

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Your Washington DC Metro Area Refrigerator Repairmen!

February 14th, 2012

Everyone at All Time Services wishes you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope your day is full of love and laughter.  Valentine’s Day is a time to really appreciate all of the wonderful people in your life, including your significant other, your family, and your friends. Take a moment today to let each of them know how special they are to you. Even something simple, like a handmade card, can really make someone’s whole day!

With all the delicious desserts that you can make this time of year, having a reliable refrigerator is especially important. If you suspect something is wrong with your fridge, our advice is to get it fixed as quickly as possible so it won’t ruin your holiday! And here is a recipe from Fudge Truffle Cheesecake, which is something everyone should have in their refrigerator this Valentine’s Day!

“When the chocolate addict in you begs for a sweet fix, bake this fluffy chocolate cheesecake over a chocolate cookie crust. Decorate it with even more cocoa delights, such as chocolate-dipped fruit or chocolate whipped cream.”

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed

milk

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and butter or margarine by hand. Press ingredients into a 9 inch springform pan.
  3. In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, making sure that they are very smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Mix in melted chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
  5. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55 minutes. The cake will seem underbaked in the center, but will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven.

For more details, visit allrecipes.com.

 

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Bon Air Refrigerator Repair Tip: Common Problems with Sub Zero Refrigerators

February 8th, 2012

Sub zero refrigerators can work great for keeping your food cold and fresh, and many of us have them in our Bon Air homes, but they are not without their share of problems. Check out this brief guide for some of the most common complaints.

  • Inadequate cooling on one side or the other

Unfortunately, this can be caused by a number of potential culprits. The compressor, relays, fan or defrost timer could all be at fault for this type of problem, and that’s just for a start. You will have to call a professional to fix this one, but the good news is that on a sub zero unit, the two sides operate independently. This means that even if the refrigerator loses cooling, the freezer will keep running fine, so there is no need to shut the whole unit down while awaiting repair.

  • Leaking underneath the unit

Again, there’s not great news here. If you notice water collecting underneath your sub zero, it could be caused by any number of malfunctions. It could be a problem with the drainage or ice maker lines, or there could be broken valves at fault. Again, best bet here is to call a pro.

  • Clean condenser light is on

Your sub zero unit is equipped with a light that goes on when the condenser coils need to be cleaned, like the “check engine” light in a car. Usually, this light means — surprise! — that the condenser coils need to be cleaned. A typical manufacturer recommendation is that the coils be cleaned every three to six months by a professional. If it is between cleaning visits, though, you can do it yourself with a brush and vacuum hose.

  • The bar between the fridge and freezer side feels hot

This is usually also caused by dirty condenser coils. Is the light on? If not, it probably will be soon. Give the coils a thorough brush and vacuum job to see if that solves it. If not, call a technician to service the unit.

As you may have noticed from reading, there is a not a lot you can do in the way of DIY repairs on a sub zero unit. They are unfortunately too complex for the average homeowner to service on his own, but with this little guide you can at least recognize some of the most frequently noted complaints about these units.

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