Buying a new refrigerator is always a joyful event, promising freshness of food and order in the kitchen. However, the joy of the purchase can be overshadowed if you do not know how to properly install the new refrigerator immediately after delivery. Incorrect installation can lead to noisy operation, skewed doors, or even failure of the compressor in the first days of operation.
Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply bring the unit into the kitchen, remove the packaging and plug the plug into the socket. In reality, the process requires compliance with a number of technical nuances related to the physics of the refrigerant and the mechanics of the housing. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages: from choosing a place to the first loading of products.
Particular attention should be paid to transport bolts and settling time, since ignoring these factors is the most common cause of early breakdowns. Horizontal transportation or sharp slopes can displace the oil in the system, and if you start the compressor right away, it can burn out. Let's figure out how to avoid these mistakes.
Choosing the optimal location for installation
Before bringing in heavy equipment, you need to prepare the site. Floor surface It must be level and withstand significant weight, which will increase after loading with products. If the floor is wooden or has uneven surfaces, it is recommended to place a strong rubber pad or plywood under the legs to distribute the load.
Critical compliance thermal gaps. A refrigerator is a device that removes heat from the internal chambers to the outside. If you move it close to the wall or side cabinets, the heat exchange will be disrupted. The compressor will work without interruption, trying to gain temperature, which will lead to increased energy consumption and rapid wear.
- 📏 The distance to the rear wall should be at least 5-7 cm for free air circulation.
- 📏 Side gaps of 2-3 cm on each side will ensure proper ventilation of the condenser.
- 📏 At least 10 cm of free space must be left on top, especially if a wall cabinet is planned on top.
You should also avoid installation near heat sources such as gas stovesovens or radiators. Heating the housing on one side will cause the temperature sensors to work incorrectly.
Removing packaging and shipping elements
After the unit is delivered to the room, do not rush to remove all packaging materials at once. First, make sure the equipment is stable. Remove the cardboard box, foam plugs and tape. Pay special attention to the inner packaging: all shelves, drawers and trays must be secured with tape so that they do not dangle during transportation.
The most important step is removal shipping bolts. They secure the compressor and shock absorbers, preventing them from being damaged by shaking during transportation. If you forget to unscrew them, the refrigerator will make a terrifying noise when operating, and vibration will quickly destroy the fastenings.
⚠️ Attention: Never plug in the refrigerator until you are sure that all shipping bolts and fixing brackets have been removed. Working with a fixed compressor is equivalent to trying to drive a car with the handbrake pulled.
Usually the bolts are located on the rear wall in the lower part of the housing. To remove them, you may need a wrench, which is often included with the documentation. Save these bolts: if you need to transport the refrigerator again in the future, they will need to be installed back.
☑️ Check before starting
Settling time before first switching on
This is perhaps the most often ignored, but vitally important point of the instructions. During transportation, especially if the refrigerator was tilted or transported lying down, it could leak from the engine crankcase into the cooling system circuits (evaporator or condenser). valves In addition, the oil in the system will clog the capillary tube, and the cold will no longer be produced. It is necessary to wait time for the oil to flow back into the crankcase under the influence of gravity. compressor oil could flow from the engine crankcase into the cooling system circuits (evaporator or condenser).
If you turn on the unit immediately, the compressor will try to compress the liquid (oil), which will lead to water hammer and instant valve failure. In addition, the oil in the system will clog the capillary tube, and the cold will no longer be produced. It is necessary to wait time for the oil to flow back into the crankcase under the influence of gravity.
How long exactly should you wait? The answer depends on how exactly the delivery was carried out:
| Delivery method | Recommended settling time | Reason for waiting |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical transportation (without tilting) | 2–3 hours | Stabilization of refrigerant and temperature balance |
| Transportation with an inclination of more than 40° | 4–6 hours | Oil drainage from the upper parts of the circuit |
| Horizontal transportation (lying down) | 8–12 hours (preferably 24 hours) | Complete return of oil to the compressor crankcase |
| Winter delivery (frost below -10°C) | 24 hours in a warm room | Warming up the oil and defrosting condensate inside |
What will happen if you don’t wait for the time?
If you start a refrigerator with oil in the circuit, you will hear a loud knock, after which the unit may either stop cooling or the compressor will burn out. Repair in this case is often unprofitable.
In winter, when the refrigerator is brought in from the cold, the “24 hour” rule becomes mandatory. A sharp switching on of cold equipment can lead to cracking of plastic parts and damage to tubes due to temperature changes and the properties of compressed oil.
Aligning the body with a level
Correct installation with a level is the key to quiet operation and proper closing of doors. If the refrigerator is skewed, the door may not fully adhere to the seal, which will lead to freezing of the “fur coat” and constant operation of the motor. In addition, a skewed body increases vibration.
Use a building level to make adjustments. Place it first on the top cover along the front panel, then across it. Adjustment is carried out by rotating the front support legs.
- 🔧 Turn the legs clockwise to raise the angle, or counterclockwise to lower it.
- 🔧 Achieve a position where the level bubbles are exactly in the center.
- 🔧 Check stability: the unit should not wobble when you lightly press the corners.
There is an important nuance: many manufacturers recommend making it small tilt back (about 1-2 degrees). This is necessary so that the doors close by themselves when opened less than 90 degrees, under the influence of gravity. If the doors open on their own or do not slam, adjust the front legs so that the front is slightly higher than the back.
Connecting to the electrical network and initial start-up
When the settling time is up and the body is level, you can move on to the electrics. Outlet, which will include the refrigerator, must have grounding The use of extension cords and tees is not recommended, as compressor inrush currents can cause heating of contacts in places of poor connection, which can lead to fire.
Plug the power cord into an outlet. On the control panel (or inside the camera, if the control is mechanical), the operation indicator should light up or the display should turn on. In models with the system No Frost you can hear the quiet hum of the fan starting up.
The first few hours of operation may be accompanied by unusual sounds: gurgling, clicking or humming. This is normal: the refrigerant begins to circulate through the system, expanding and contracting. However, if the noise sounds like metallic clanging or cabinet vibration, double-check that the shipping bolts have been removed and that the refrigerator is not touching the cabinet wall.
⚠️ Attention: Do not load food into an empty refrigerator during the first 2-3 hours of operation. Allow the unit to reach the required temperature in the empty chambers. Loading with warm products will cause the compressor to work hard.
Setting temperature modes
After the refrigerator has run idle and returned to operating mode (usually this takes about 4-6 hours), you can begin setting it up. Modern models often have automatic settings, but for optimal storage of products it is better to set the parameters manually.
The recommended temperature in the main chamber is +2...+4°C. This is the “gold standard”, in which bacteria multiply slowly, but the food does not freeze. In the freezer, the optimal value is -18°C. At this temperature, products can be stored for up to a year without loss of taste.
If your model has a freshness zone (zero chamber), set the temperature there to about 0°C and high humidity. This is ideal for storing meat, fish and vegetables that you plan to cook in the coming days.
You should not set the minimum possible values “just in case”. This will lead to excessive consumption of electricity and can cause food to freeze to the shelves, as well as vegetables to dry out.
Frequent installation errors
Even following the instructions, users often make simple mistakes that shorten the life of the equipment. One of the most common is installing the refrigerator in a niche without proper ventilation. Built-in equipment requires a special approach, but free-standing models cannot be locked in a blind corner.
Another mistake is ignoring the cleanliness of the capacitor. Dust settling on the black grille at the back acts as a heat insulator. Once every six months to a year, it is recommended to carefully vacuum the back wall or wipe it with a dry cloth.
- ❌ Installation near a window in direct sunlight (heating the case).
- ❌ Using aggressive chemicals to wash the case before installation.
- ❌ Trying to saw off the legs yourself if they seem too high (violation of warranty).
Remember that proper installation is the foundation for the long life of your refrigerator. By spending an hour on proper installation, you will save money on repairs and electricity in the future.
Is it possible to place a refrigerator on the balcony?
Technically, it is possible, but only if the balcony is glazed and insulated. The ambient temperature must correspond to the climate class of the refrigerator (usually from +10°C to +32°C or +43°C). In cold weather, the oil in the compressor thickens, and it will not start, and in direct sun it will overheat.
Why does the refrigerator vibrate after installation?
Most often the reason is incorrect alignment of the legs or the body touching the walls of the furniture. Vibration is also possible if there are unstable dishes on the shelves that resonate with the operation of the motor. Check the gaps and stability of the supports.
Do you need to wash the inside of the refrigerator before first use?
Yes, definitely. Factory dust or the smell of plastic or packaging may remain inside. Wipe the chambers with a soft cloth soaked in a weak solution of soda or a special product for refrigerators, and let them dry before turning them on.
What to do if the door does not close tightly?
Check if anything is interfering with the seal (crumbs, packaging). Make sure the refrigerator is level. If the problem persists, the magnetic seal may be damaged or the hinges are skewed - in this case, it is better to call a technician.