A phenomenon that scares many users
Who has never tried a certain alarm by touching the refrigerator and feeling hot, even hot, on the sides or along the garnish of the door? In summer, with already high temperatures, the sensation is even more evident: the contrast between the cold interior and the hot outside feeds the suspicions that the appliance is about to break. In reality, in most cases, it is a behavior provided for by the manufacturers and not a malfunction. The walls of a modern refrigerator can also reach 47 ° C, a level that surprises but that has a precise explanation.
Because the refrigerator produces heat
The operation of a refrigerator is based on a simple principle: transfer heat from the inside to the outside. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, which warms up. That heat must be dispersed, and in the most recent models the condensing serpentines are no longer found on the back – as in the old devices – but are incorporated on the sides and in the frame of the door.
This design choice has two advantages: it allows you to reduce the overall dimensions and contributes to keeping the gasket dry, avoiding condensation and ice formation. The result, however, is that the walls are warm to the touch.
The role of the internal heater
In addition to the heat generated by the compressor, many refrigerators are equipped with a real internal heater, placed along the joints. Its function is to prevent the formation of humidity between the door and the frame: without it, the fridge would risk having damaged gaskets and difficult closures. It is therefore a “useful” heat, not accidental. But if the compressor is forced to work more than usual – for example in periods of intense heat, after a move or when the doors are open continuously – the temperature perceived on the walls can rise significantly.
When the context worsens the situation
Inner technology is not only counts, but also the external environment. A refrigerator placed in too hot kitchen, exposed to direct sunlight or narrow between two furniture without ventilation spaces, will struggle to dispose of the accumulated heat. Domestic habits also affect: fill the appliance over 80% of the capacity, leave the door open for a long time or open it continuously forces the engine to work tirelessly. The more the compressor turns, the more heat accumulates.
How to limit overheating
To reduce the phenomenon and preserve the duration of the appliance, experts recommend some precautions:
When the situation becomes anomalous
An increase in temporary heat, linked to a phase of settlement, to a hot wave or intensive use, is completely normal. However, if the walls remain constantly hot and, at the same time, the internal cooling capacity decreases, it is the signal that something does not work. In this case it is better to contact a technical assistance center: a timely intervention can avoid more serious and expensive damage.
Hot does not always mean fault
A refrigerator with hot sides is not necessarily defective. In most cases it is the normal process of dispersion of the heat and work of the anti-condensate heater. Only when the phenomenon is continuous and accompanied by an evident drop in internal performance becomes a problem.
Knowing distinguishing between physiological behavior and an anomaly allows you to save anxieties, false diagnosis and above all not to run the risk of finding yourself with ruined food.
