Appliance Repair in 19143 · West Philadelphia

An enclosed porch or unheated back room stays sheltered from rain, but in a Philadelphia winter it can drop close to outdoor temperatures. That causes a problem many owners do not expect: the freezer section of a typical refrigerator starts to warm up when the room gets cold.

Most refrigerators use one thermostat or sensor in the fresh-food section. When the space around the unit is cold, the fresh-food side stays cold on its own, the compressor rarely runs, and the freezer, which depends on that compressor, softens and thaws. Many manufacturers say their refrigerators are not designed to run in spaces below roughly 50 to 55 degrees. Oil in the compressor can also thicken, and water lines to an icemaker or dispenser can freeze and crack.

In summer, the same porch can get very hot in direct sun, making the compressor run nonstop. If you want a second appliance out there, look for a model designed for garages or wide temperature ranges, keep it off the coldest outside wall, and leave space around the condenser for air. A chest freezer is often a better choice than a refrigerator-freezer for a cold room, but check its listed temperature range too.

Tell us whether the appliance is in the kitchen, on a porch or in the basement, and how cold or hot that space gets. Clear a path to the unit and make room behind it. If a porch door sticks or is locked, have it open before the technician arrives.