Do You Need A New Refrigerator?

Your refrigerator is one of the essential appliances in your home — it is, after all, what keeps your food fresh and crisp. Unfortunately, because it’s such a bulky, expensive appliance, most households keep their refrigerator for a lengthy period — way past its lifespan.

There are many reasons why people keep refrigerators, but they can be pricey and tricky to get rid of, considering you can’t just put them outside for curbside pickup.

The thing is, there does come a time—for the sake of your home and your health—when you need to get rid of your fridge. If you need help getting rid of an old appliance, you can always enlist the help of a junk removal company or find a depot to drop it off yourself.

You are better off getting your fridge professionally removed than continuing to use it when it is not functioning properly.

According to CNN, one in four homes in the US has two (or more) refrigerators. How many of those do you think have stopped working correctly?

It’s essential to keep an eye out for the telling signs that your refrigerator has run its course. These are the main signs that you need to get rid of your fridge and swap it out for a new one:

Your Food Is Going Bad Quickly

If your food is spoiling quicker than usual, that’s a surefire sign that something is wrong with your refrigerator. According to Good Housekeeping, if your fridge isn’t cooling food below 4°C, then it’s time to replace it.

If you keep a fridge that can’t keep your food fresh, then you put yourself at risk of eating something that you don’t realize has gone wrong — and that can be hazardous to your health.

It’s Sweating

Refrigerators can sweat just like us—it’s just not always the best sign. If you notice condensation (water droplets) inside and outside your fridge, that indicates that it’s working a lot harder than it’s supposed to—which means it’s not functioning the way it needs to and should be replaced.

It’s Aged

According to US News, refrigerators typically last around 13 years — if you’ve had yours longer than that, you may want to reconsider how well it works.

Of course, some fridges are higher quality than others and have been better maintained, but the rule of thumb is to swap out your fridge every decade or so.

For this reason, this appliance is a worthy investment — it lasts quite a while, and opting for a cheap one may mean you need to replace it sooner.

It’s Burning Up

Your fridge is typically supposed to keep things fresh. If you notice that it’s hot to the touch, it’s time to assess.

Usually, if your fridge is warm from the back, that’s just an indicator that its ventilation is working. Extreme heat, however, is not typical and requires a consultation with a pro, who will likely tell you it’s time for a new refrigerator.

If you spot any of these warning signs, enlist the help of a professional to confirm whether your fridge needs repairs or a replacement. Regardless, these factors are all indicators that something is not right with your refrigerator.

Don’t be afraid to address a problem with your refrigerator head-on. There are junk removal companies who will take it off your hands, and merely replacing it tends to be more cost-effective in the long run.