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June, 2025

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NS Refrigerator Experts?

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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
Fridge in my new apartment cycles on and off every 20 minutes without fail. Manager says its normal, but that definitely doesn't seem normal. The temperature inside the fridge is fine, but how long can this thing keep up running on/off every 20 minutes? Any HVAC or appliance people know anything about this?
10 years ago
9 1
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11990 - Karma: 12,273
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=refrigerator+turns+on+and+off+frequently
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7098 - Karma: 26,869
SKI.INGFridge in my new apartment cycles on and off every 20 minutes without fail. Manager says its normal, but that definitely doesn't seem normal. The temperature inside the fridge is fine, but how long can this thing keep up running on/off every 20 minutes? Any HVAC or appliance people know anything about this?


Not an expert but if the temperature is consistent I don't think it matters. If the thing dies it is your landlords fault and the expense is on them. I rented places with a haunted fridge that made all sorts of weird noises but never had one die on me.
10 years ago
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
xX*TACO-DOG*Xxhttps://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=off&q=refrigerator+turns+on+and+off+frequently


Sick bro, like I didn't do that before posting this thread.
10 years ago
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11955 - Karma: 12,308
Im no hvac expert by any means but I work in a business that has two walk in freezers, a retail cooler, and two temp controlled rooms. The freezers cucle within the hour, the cooler a little less, and the rooms even less mainly because doors are constantly opened and closed. The food trailer im in has a fridge that runs constantly.

20 minutes isnt alarming but seems a little low for a cycle. Try checking your seals
10 years ago
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buttrapinpirate
Posts: 497 - Karma: 225
How much stuff is in your fridge? The more stuff you keep in it, the more 'buffer' there is to keep it cool. If it's close to empty, opening the fridge just lets all of the warm air in, and quickly changing the temperature. If it has a lot of stuff in it, the temperature is moderated more.

Also how old is it? The coolant could have leaked out over time and be less effective.

If you're curious about its effect on your bill hook up a watt meter and complain to your landlord that you overpay in electricity because of a faulty refrigerator.
10 years ago
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
My fridge makes all sorts of crazy noises. No issues though.
10 years ago
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
buttrapinpirateHow much stuff is in your fridge? The more stuff you keep in it, the more 'buffer' there is to keep it cool. If it's close to empty, opening the fridge just lets all of the warm air in, and quickly changing the temperature. If it has a lot of stuff in it, the temperature is moderated more.

Also how old is it? The coolant could have leaked out over time and be less effective.

If you're curious about its effect on your bill hook up a watt meter and complain to your landlord that you overpay in electricity because of a faulty refrigerator.


this is about everything I was going to say.

Also Make sure it's not something stupid like a hinge is misaligned causing the door not to seal completely. look around the whole seal after closing it like normal.
10 years ago
1 0
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
buttrapinpirateHow much stuff is in your fridge? The more stuff you keep in it, the more 'buffer' there is to keep it cool. If it's close to empty, opening the fridge just lets all of the warm air in, and quickly changing the temperature. If it has a lot of stuff in it, the temperature is moderated more.

Also how old is it? The coolant could have leaked out over time and be less effective.

If you're curious about its effect on your bill hook up a watt meter and complain to your landlord that you overpay in electricity because of a faulty refrigerator.


Yeah I've tried cramming more stuff in it but doesn't seem to affect it. Thats mostly in the freezer though because I read thats where it counts more for that problem. Its 15 years old. Seals are good, and it keeps the temperature relatively well so I feel like it's got to be coils clogged up or coolant like you said. Thanks for your input.
10 years ago
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HuckNorris44
Posts: 1025 - Karma: 2,394
Also, depends on the size of the compressor and the size of the piping. Smaller compressor and smaller pipes means it needs to cycle more to achieve the set temperature. Also could just need a good cleaning but 20 minute cycle for a residential fridge isn't that uncommon, especially older fridges
10 years ago
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
GnarcoAlso, depends on the size of the compressor and the size of the piping. Smaller compressor and smaller pipes means it needs to cycle more to achieve the set temperature. Also could just need a good cleaning but 20 minute cycle for a residential fridge isn't that uncommon, especially older fridges


So it going on and off every 20 minutes can be normal? Like, it isn't a cycle of 20 minutes every couple hours. It's literally every 20 minutes it cycles on or off and repeats. There isn't any break between them. On for 20min. Off for 20min. 24/7. So is that normal? I just want to make sure haha.
10 years ago
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