What happens when a refrigerator is not level?
If your refrigerator is unlevel, it may cause fluctuations in temperature that could spoil your food. That’s why leveling is one of the most important steps when installing a refrigerator. If your doors aren’t closing properly, or if the door switch isn’t actuating, then the culprit could be your unlevel refrigerator.
Should a refrigerator lean forward?
Your refrigerator should be tilted slightly backwards (the front should be a little higher than the back). If it is tilted correctly, the front doors should close by themselves when they are opened to less than 90 degrees.
Are refrigerators supposed to be tilted?
Tilting May Shift Fluids
Modern-day refrigerators contain a number of different chemicals, including oil, refrigerant, lubricants, and more. When tilted, these fluids may shift and move around to areas where they shouldn’t be. For instance, the oil inside the compressor may drain and travel into the refrigerant lines.
What happens if fridge is tilted?
If it is tilted, the coolant can pool in the pipes, making the pump work harder and making the fridge less efficient. You may not even realize it, but a tilted fridge could mean that your refrigerator is using more energy than it needs to.
Will tilting a fridge damage it?
It might seem that laying it down is the safer option to prevent damage. However, putting a fridge in a horizontal position can permanently damage its ability to cool. Even just tilting it at an angle for a short period of time runs the risk of introducing unwanted chemicals and oils into your cooling system.
How long can a fridge be tilted?
If it’s been on its side for 30 minutes during transit, wait 30 minutes once it’s back upright. If it’s been on its side for more than a day, you should wait 24 hours.
What happens if you tilt a fridge on its side?
No, you should not move or store a refrigerator on its side. When a refrigerator is laid on its side, the oil in the compressor will flow from the compressor tube into the coolant lines. This doesn’t automatically mean that it will break, but it can be risky depending on the type of refrigerator you have.
How long can you tilt a refrigerator?
If it was on its side for two hours, leave it upright and unplugged for two hours. If it was delivered on its side, or was sideways for more than a day, then give it a full 24 hours before plugging it in.
How long do you have to wait to plug in a fridge after tilting it?
Let it stand
In transit, your appliance gets shaken around, so it’s best to let everything settle before you plug it in. If it was transported upright, give it at least an hour before you plug it in. If it was transported on its side, turn it the right way up and leave it for at least four hours.
How far can you tilt a fridge?
Remember, a fridge should not be tipped back more than 45 degrees. Walk the dolly with care to your first step. If you have to set the fridge back down at any time, do so slowly and with someone on the other side who can help you guide it down.
Is it OK to transport a refrigerator laying down?
The answer is no. A refrigerator should never be transported on its back; the weight of the fridge can damage internal parts, and the internal fluids such as the oil inside the motor; or the refrigerant may shift and settle in undesirable places in the machine’s system.
Can a fridge be slightly tilted?
Problems with a refrigerator not properly leveled
This process requires that the fridge is not tilted to the front, back left or right. If it is tilted, the coolant can pool in the pipes, making the pump work harder and making the fridge less efficient.
How long do you have to wait to use a refrigerator after tipping?
After Transporting Your Refrigerator
If it was on its side for more than a day, leave it standing upright for 24 hours before running the refrigerator. If laying on its side just briefly to service, clean or adjust, just a few minutes of stand time will be enough.
Can you lay a fridge at an angle?
A refrigerator should really only be transported in an upright position. If you are deciding how to transport a refrigerator in a pickup truck, trailer or moving truck, remember that it’s best to keep the refrigerator upright, and rent or borrow a vehicle that will allow for that positioning.
Can a fridge be laid flat to transport?
If you do lay your fridge down to move it, you can lay it on its front or side, but it’s not recommended that you lay it on its back – the weight of the fridge’s body on its working parts could damage them, even if they’re not exposed.