You rely on your refrigerator to do more than cool food. Storage at proper temperatures is essential for food safety as well. Problems with a key part may lead to unhealthy temperature changes. Here are five vital refrigerator appliance parts to keep in working order.

The Anatomy of a Refrigerator

1. Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your refrigerator. It circulates among three critical “organs” in your appliance—the condenser, the evaporator, and the compressor—to keep it cold.

As refrigerant cycles through the network of tubing that connects these components, it absorbs heat. Hot, pressurized gas converts into a cold, low-pressure liquid as it moves through your fridge.

2. Condenser

When hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas arrives at the condenser, the condenser cools it. True to its name, the condenser converts heated refrigerant gas back into its cool, liquid state.

You’ll find the condenser on the back of your refrigerator. It’s comprised of copper tubing and fins. As gas travels through the condenser’s narrow piping, it releases heat picked up during its previous cycle through your refrigerator and is condensed into liquid. This fluid is now ready to absorb heat once again as it embarks on its next cycle. 

3. Expansion Valve

After exiting the condenser, refrigerant is further cooled and depressurized as it flows through the expansion valve. This appliance part, which consists of thin copper coils, further reduces the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, preparing it for optimal heat absorption.

4. Evaporator

After flowing through the condenser and expansion valve, refrigerant moves to the evaporator. This key component facilitates heat extraction from the refrigerator’s and freezer’s interior compartments.

As the refrigerant moves through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the interior to cool the air, becoming a hot gas in the process. This heated gas then moves on to the compressor.

5.  Compressor

Powered by an electric motor, the compressor draws hot refrigerant gas from the evaporator. Located at the bottom or rear of the refrigerator, the compressor constricts and discharges heated gas at high pressure and returns it to the condenser, where it’s cooled once again.

If your refrigerator needs appliance parts or repairs, the experts at Niceley’s Appliance Repair in Erlanger, KY, will help. They maintain the largest DIY parts inventory in Northern Kentucky. If they don’t have a part, they’ll order it for immediate delivery, usually the next day. They also provide service support for bigger jobs. Call (859) 342-9900 to talk to their staff about your needs, or visit them online for more information.