3 ms·

Cooling seems to be one of the first things to creak in hot weather. Our fridges at home were struggling, and some of the local supermarkets had fridges out.

Cooling seems to be one of the first things to creak in hot weather. Our fridges at home were struggling, and some of the local supermarkets had fridges out. Maybe that’s an obvious observation but I would have expected they had a little more operating range right at the point you need them.

londons_explore 4y ago
Worth noting that most home fridges have no kind of indication that they can't keep up. Your fridge, rather than being the 5C it should be to keep your meat safe to eat, might have been up at 12C. You wouldn't be aware (it still feels cold), but you'd end up eating possibly dangerous food. I really wish fridges had an alarm in that case (ie. The fridge has an indicator saying 'too hot. Food is now unsafe to eat').
- emrvb 4y ago
  That alarm is available on the more decent models. There are also stickers for inside your fridge that can indicate the temperature. There is also a variant for specific temperatures, like 0, 5 or 7 degrees, that colorize if the temperature has risen, giving a (non-reversible) indication your fridge has been too warm. Edit: Did a quick search for you: https://www.tiptemp.com/Products/Rising-Time-Temperature-Indicating-Labels/ https://www.tiptemp.com/Products/Rising-Time-Temperature-Ind...
- benjaminwootton 4y ago
  Ours was making strange noise, and we noticed things were wet when we took them out which indicated it was struggling to keep temperature. Agree some kind of alarm or indicator is probably a good idea if its not keeping up!
  - londons_explore 4y ago
    Wet things inside is actually an indication that the door isn't properly closed and sealing.
- oarsinsync 4y ago
  You can self solve this with a fridge thermometer, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Refrigerator-INRIGOROUS-Stainless-Retractable/dp/B07PCLJZW4/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Refrigerator-INRIGOROUS... or if you’re into that smart home biz, I also have an Aqara zigbee temperature and humidity sensor for automated alarms. EDIT: sibling comments about irreversible temperature monitors are also a great idea I hadn’t thought of! Time to buy some of those too
c_o_n_v_e_x 4y ago
Ex HVAC tech here. Also was on a commissioning team for a Google DC in SE Asia. Heat waves indeed kill equipment. The system is attempting to deal with a higher heat load on the home/conditioned space, while also having to operate with high(er) ambient temperatures. High ambient temps -> High heat load -> warm(er) return refrigerant temps/high(er) refrigerant pressures -> less cooling for compressor / higher mechanical load on compressor -> Elevated power consumption as compressor is working harder -> higher power/heat levels stress electrical insulation & components. The system struggles to keep up as the duty cycle is elevated as well. Putting a sprinkler next to the condensor (outside) unit is a hack.
- FartyMcFarter 4y ago
  > Putting a sprinkler next to the condensor (outside) unit is a hack. However, water companies have been telling people to reduce water usage during the heat wave since demand is higher than usual, so this may not be a great idea.

londons_explore 4y ago

Worth noting that most home fridges have no kind of indication that they can't keep up. Your fridge, rather than being the 5C it should be to keep your meat safe to eat, might have been up at 12C. You wouldn't be aware (it still feels cold), but you'd end up eating possibly dangerous food. I really wish fridges had an alarm in that case (ie. The fridge has an indicator saying 'too hot. Food is now unsafe to eat').

emrvb 4y ago
That alarm is available on the more decent models. There are also stickers for inside your fridge that can indicate the temperature. There is also a variant for specific temperatures, like 0, 5 or 7 degrees, that colorize if the temperature has risen, giving a (non-reversible) indication your fridge has been too warm. Edit: Did a quick search for you: https://www.tiptemp.com/Products/Rising-Time-Temperature-Indicating-Labels/ https://www.tiptemp.com/Products/Rising-Time-Temperature-Ind...
benjaminwootton 4y ago
Ours was making strange noise, and we noticed things were wet when we took them out which indicated it was struggling to keep temperature. Agree some kind of alarm or indicator is probably a good idea if its not keeping up!
- londons_explore 4y ago
  Wet things inside is actually an indication that the door isn't properly closed and sealing.
oarsinsync 4y ago
You can self solve this with a fridge thermometer, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Refrigerator-INRIGOROUS-Stainless-Retractable/dp/B07PCLJZW4/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Refrigerator-INRIGOROUS... or if you’re into that smart home biz, I also have an Aqara zigbee temperature and humidity sensor for automated alarms. EDIT: sibling comments about irreversible temperature monitors are also a great idea I hadn’t thought of! Time to buy some of those too

c_o_n_v_e_x 4y ago

Ex HVAC tech here. Also was on a commissioning team for a Google DC in SE Asia. Heat waves indeed kill equipment. The system is attempting to deal with a higher heat load on the home/conditioned space, while also having to operate with high(er) ambient temperatures. High ambient temps -> High heat load -> warm(er) return refrigerant temps/high(er) refrigerant pressures -> less cooling for compressor / higher mechanical load on compressor -> Elevated power consumption as compressor is working harder -> higher power/heat levels stress electrical insulation & components. The system struggles to keep up as the duty cycle is elevated as well. Putting a sprinkler next to the condensor (outside) unit is a hack.

FartyMcFarter 4y ago
> Putting a sprinkler next to the condensor (outside) unit is a hack. However, water companies have been telling people to reduce water usage during the heat wave since demand is higher than usual, so this may not be a great idea.