Refrigerators or mini-fridges are a staple household appliance, the only issue that can arise is you might not have sufficient space to fit one. Those of you living in small apartments or dorms may come face to face with such problems, especially when your living space is carpeted end to end. The latter is quite a problem because placing a fridge on a carpeted surface is a terrible idea indeed.
Make it a cardinal rule to not place your fridge on a carpet as most refrigerators have a condenser located at the bottom, which can cause airflow blockage and thus retain heat. Your fridge will need more electricity to run and may not function properly.
This may seem daunting, but worry not, for our article will help you gain enough helpful insight into refrigerators and their functioning. We will provide you with comprehensive details regarding what to do and what not to do with your mini-fridges or refrigerators.
Can you put a mini fridge on the carpet?
You shouldn’t install a carpet under your mini fridge because it can result in bad cooling. This is because the carpet will block airflow and can ultimately break your refrigerator’s condenser unit.
Do you live in a small space where a normal-sized refrigerator would not fit? And to top it off, the floor is also carpeted? To make things easier for yourself and to cope with size restrictions, you can make use of a mini fridge instead. However, the problem of a carpeted floor still remains.
The problems mentioned may seem trivial, but they will damage your mini fridge internally hence forcing you to buy a new one. To save yourself from that hassle, you need to understand why the fridge acts that way when put on a carpet. Most of these issues are related to the fridge’s condenser, solutions of which we will look into later on.
1. Airflow blockage beneath the fridge
The first main issue that arises when a mini fridge is placed on a carpeted surface is that the condenser coils which are located at the bottom of the mini fridge will not be able to get enough airflow. This happens because of the coils’ proximity to the carpet.
It ultimately forces the condenser to work harder than normal, which could consequentially lead to burning out, and in some cases, a higher electricity bill too.
2. Heat retention of the condenser
Carpets are insulators by nature, and when you situate a mini fridge on top, a lot of heat might get retained. Apart from blocking airflow to the coils, it will also heat them up to unfavorable levels. It can therefore cause a leak which will wet your carpet, making way for mold and mildew to grow.
3. Fading of the carpet
Your carpet may be permanently stained by a faded square exactly at the spot where you had placed your mini fridge. So, if it was a beloved carpet, you may have to bid it farewell.
In order to prevent irreversible damage to your mini fridge and carpets, it is better to find other options for placing your mini fridge.
What are other options for placing your mini fridge?
Are you unable to get rid of the carpet? Do you need to find a way to place your mini fridge elsewhere? Worry not! The circumstances may not be ideal, but I will help you with other options so you can make the best of your situation.
If you have no other option, you can use the following alternatives to keep the damage low: place something below your mini fridge, close the fridge tightly, maintain it regularly, and find a mini fridge with condenser coils situated at the back.
If you have no other options but to place your fridge on a carpet, you may make use of the following substitute techniques:
Looking to explore different mini fridge options in the market? Then read our review article on the best mini fridge with glass doors!
1. Place something between the carpet and the mini fridge
To prevent damage due to heat retention and airflow blockage, it is ideal to place something in between the fridge and the carpet. It could be something as simple as a mat, a piece of linoleum, an appliance stand, or even a furniture dolly.
2. Close the fridge tightly after use
The carpet may cause friction, which makes closing the refrigerator door difficult, and it may prevent the door from closing properly. This may cause the refrigerator to work even harder, using excessive electricity, to reach the preferred temperature. It may cause an unwarranted, sharp increase in your electricity bill as well. Therefore, it is imperative that you make sure that the fridge’s door is closed tightly every time after use.
3. Carry out regular maintenance checks
Regular maintenance is very important when it comes to keeping your mini fridge free from damage. Make sure to clean and defrost your fridge periodically after every six months. The condenser coils, air vents, and door gaskets should be regularly cleaned and wiped down.
4. Find a mini fridge with condenser coils on the back
If you want an optimum fit of a refrigerator that would not cause you any problem if you were to place it on a carpeted floor, it is recommended that you invest in a mini fridge that has condenser coils on the unit’s back and not at the bottom. A mini fridge with coils at the bottom of its unit, when placed on a carpet, may cause a burn or in the worst-case scenario, a fire even.
Curious about how to travel with your mini fridge? Then read this article about transporting a mini fridge here!
What are the dos and don’ts of mini fridge maintenance?
Do you often forget to check your refrigerator for maintenance? As a matter of fact, you should never forget such maintenance checkups because they are very important. You should be well aware of how to care for your mini fridge to keep it in perfect condition.
Regular maintenance of your mini fridge is essential as it not only helps increase the longevity of the appliance but also helps make sure that it is working efficiently and damage-free.
Listed below are some of the Dos and Don’ts regarding the maintenance of refrigerators that you need to be wary of.
Don’ts of refrigerator maintenance
- Don’t place your fridge in a hot area of your home, such as near an oven or in direct sunlight, as the fridge will have to work even harder to keep itself cool, thus requiring more electricity.
- Don’t make use of the refrigerator door when storing perishable food items, as they can get spoiled easily because the door is opening and closing constantly.
- Don’t put liquids in your fridge while they are uncovered, as it may lead to moisture buildup, consequently making the fridge work even harder.
- Don’t place drinks or food items on top of your fridge as heat from it may cause damage to these items.
- Don’t forget to clean the air vents while cleaning the fridge as it will help increase its efficiency and save money in the long run.
Do’s of refrigerator maintenance
- Do keep your fridge in a cold and dry area of your living space, such as your kitchen, basement, or even your garage.
- Do situate your fridge strategically away from the wall to prevent airflow blockage.
- Do make sure that you clean your condenser coils regularly, as dirty coils will extract more electrical energy and hike up your electricity bill.
- Do make a point of regularly replacing your fridge’s water filter every six months to prevent contaminants from spreading to clean water.
- Do check your fridge’s temperature on a regular and consistent basis as 40°F or 4°C is the optimum temperature for effective cooling.
Concluding my thoughts on putting a mini fridge on a carpet!
In conclusion, I suggest that you should not place your mini fridge on a carpet under any circumstances. However, if you are unable to get rid of the carpet and are lacking better options, then you can make use of the above-mentioned alternative techniques to make the most out of your situation. Just make sure to carry out regular maintenance of your refrigerator to make sure it is working efficiently.
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