Buying a new refrigerator is always a joyful event, promising fresh food and comfort in the kitchen. However, after delivering the equipment home, many owners are faced with incomprehensible issues associated with its initial launch. The main question that worries users at this moment: how long should the compressor work when first turned on and what is considered normal and what is a cause for concern?
The answer to this question is not as clear-cut as it might seem at first glance, since the operating time depends on many factors. The influence is exerted by the type refrigerant, chamber volume, room temperature and even the duration of equipment downtime before switching on. Understanding the physical processes occurring inside the system during the first hours of operation will help you avoid panic and correctly assess the performance of the unit.
In this article we will analyze in detail the time frame of the first cooling cycle, explain why you cannot load products right away, and tell you how to distinguish normal operation from a malfunction. A competent approach to the first start-up is the key to a long and trouble-free service of your refrigeration equipment refrigeration equipment.
Why it is important to let the refrigerator settle before turning it on
Delivery of household appliances is often associated with tilting and shaking, which is critical for the compressor, which is the heart of the refrigeration system. There is compressor oilinside the motor, which during transportation can flow from the crankcase into the refrigerant circuit. If you turn on the unit immediately, the oil that gets into the system can create an oil plug or, worse, cause a hydraulic shock leading to valve failure.
⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator was transported in a horizontal position or with a strong slope, the settling time should be at least 4-8 hours, and in winter - up to 24 hours. This is necessary to drain the oil and warm the compressor to room temperature to avoid condensation.
The physics of the process is simple: the oil must completely return to the compressor crankcase, and the refrigerant must be distributed throughout the system in a gaseous state. An attempt to start a “cold” compressor brought from the cold will lead to operation with thickened oil, which will significantly increase the load on the electric motor and can lead to its combustion.
Modern models, even expensive brands like Liebherr or Siemens, still require compliance with this rule. Manufacturers indicate the settling time in the instructions, but it is better to play it safe and wait for the recommended period, especially if you were not present during loading and do not know how exactly the equipment was carried.
How long does the compressor operate at first launch
The most common question that can be heard from owners of new equipment: “The refrigerator has been humming for two hours now, is this normal?” When turned on for the first time, the refrigeration unit must run a full cooling cycle until the set temperature is reached. Unlike subsequent cycles, when the refrigerator is turned on only to maintain cold, the first start requires “overclocking” the system.
On average, the first continuous operating time of the compressor ranges from 2 to 8 hours. The exact time depends on whether the refrigerator is empty or you have already loaded food into it. If the chambers are empty, the system simply needs to cool the air and the walls. If you loaded products at room temperature, the compressor will require significantly more time and energy.
It is important to understand the difference between single-compressor and two-compressor models. In systems with one motor that alternately cools the freezer and refrigerator compartments, the overall cycle may take longer. Double-compressor systems, such as in some models LG or Electrolux, cope with the task faster, since each circuit operates independently.
While the primary process is in progress cooling, do not open the doors more often than absolutely necessary. Each opening lets in warm, moist air, resetting progress and forcing thermostat or the electronic module to give a command to continue working.
Norms for setting the temperature and turning off equipment
To determine whether your refrigerator is working properly, you need to focus not only on the operating time, but also on the final result is the temperature inside the chambers. When turned on for the first time, the system should return to normal mode, cooling the contents to the specified values. For a refrigerator, this is usually a range from +2 to +6 degrees Celsius, and for a freezer - from -18 degrees and below.
The process of setting temperature is nonlinear. First, the air quickly cools, then heat is removed from the walls of the chamber and shelves, and only lastly do the products freeze. That is why the technical data sheet often indicates the time to reach a temperature of -18°C in the freezer when fully loaded (usually 12–24 hours).
The criterion for the successful completion of the first cycle is the automatic shutdown of the compressor. You will hear a characteristic click and the hum of the motor will stop. After this, there will be a rest period, which can last from 20 minutes to an hour, before the compressor turns on again to maintain the mode.
| Parameter | Standard value | Tolerable deviation |
|---|---|---|
| First cycle time (empty) | 2–4 hours | up to 6 hours |
| Time of the first cycle (with loading) | 6–12 hours | up to 24 hours |
| Temperature in the fridge compartment | +4°C | ±2°C |
| Temperature in the freezer | -18°C | ±2°C |
| Idle time between cycles | 20–60 minutes | depends on heat influx |
If after 12 hours of continuous operation the compressor does not turn off, and the temperature in the chambers remains close to room temperature, this may indicate a malfunction. However, it is too early to rush to conclusions: perhaps the installation rules were violated or air got into the system.
Why can a refrigerator work longer than normal?
Sometimes the reason for prolonged operation is not a malfunction, but an open door, a loose seal, or installation of the refrigerator next to a heat source (battery, stove). Also, the operating time is affected by the “Super Freeze” mode, which could be accidentally activated.
Factors influencing the operating time of the compressor
There is no single number in minutes that would suit absolutely all refrigerators. The duration of the first cycle is a variable value, depending on a combination of external and internal factors. Ignoring these nuances often leads to false conclusions about the breakdown of working equipment.
One of the key factors is ambient temperature. If you turn on the refrigerator in a hot room (for example, in a kitchen in the summer without air conditioning, where +28...+30°C), it will be extremely difficult for the compressor to transfer heat through the condenser. In such conditions, the operating time can increase significantly.
- 🌡️ Room temperature: The hotter the room, the longer the motor runs.
- 📦 Load volume: Warm food requires enormous amounts of energy to cool.
- ❄️ Refrigerant type: Modern gases (R600a) work differently than old freons (R12, R134a).
- 🔌 Network voltage: Low voltage can lead to incorrect operation of the starter relay.
Design features should also be taken into account. Refrigerators with the system No Frost have more complex operating cycles, including periods of evaporator defrosting, which can affect the total operating time in the first day. In models with a drip system (“crying evaporator”), the process can proceed more evenly.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install the refrigerator close to a wall or furniture. The rear radiator (condenser) must be freely blown with air. The absence of a gap of 5–10 cm leads to overheating and increased operating time of the compressor.
☑️ Checking installation conditions
Typical errors during the first start
Statistics of service centers show that a significant portion of calls regarding “malfunctions” of new refrigerators are associated with user errors during the first start. It’s quite easy to avoid them if you know the basic operating rules.
The most common mistake is loading food before the refrigerator has reached temperature. By placing warm food into a chamber that has not yet cooled down, you create an enormous load on the compressor. It will work hard, trying to cool a large amount of heat, which can lead to overheating of the windings.
The second mistake is ignoring the transportation bolts (relevant for some models) or protective films. Although refrigerators do not have shipping bolts like washing machines, they often forget to remove the tape from the seals or the fixing elements from the internal shelves, which prevents the doors from closing tightly.
The third mistake concerns adjusting the legs. If the refrigerator is unstable or tilted, the door may not fit tightly. This leads to a constant flow of warm air, and the compressor will work almost non-stop, trying to compensate for the heat flow.
Some users try to speed up the process by turning the thermostat to maximum. In modern electronically controlled models, this can activate the fast freezing mode, but in mechanical models it will simply make the compressor work longer, without guaranteeing a better result.
When to sound the alarm: signs of malfunction
Despite the variability of operating time, there are clear boundaries, exceeding which indicates a technical problem. If your refrigerator has been running for more than 24 hours without a break and does not turn off, and it is not cold inside (temperature above +10°C), this is a cause for concern.
Pay attention to the nature of the unit’s operation. If the compressor turns on, hums for 10-20 seconds, then a click is heard and it goes silent, and after a minute the cycle repeats - this is a sign of a malfunction of the start relay or the compressor itself (jamming). The normal operating cycle includes long periods of work and rest.
You should also be wary of:
- 🔥 Strong heating: If the side walls or back grill are hot to the point where you cannot touch them with your hand.
- 💧 Abundant condensation or ice: If inside the refrigerator a “fur coat” or puddles of water form during the first start.
- 🔊 Extraneous sounds: Metallic clanging, knocking or whistling, uncharacteristic of the quiet hum of the engine.
B If these symptoms are detected, you must disconnect the device from the network and contact an authorized service center. Repairing a new refrigerator yourself will void your warranty.
Sometimes the reason for endless operation is a freon leak. The compressor circulates gas in a circle, but there is no cold, so the temperature sensor does not give the command to stop. This requires the intervention of a technician to find the leak and recharge the system.
Is it possible to plug in the refrigerator immediately after delivery?
It is strictly not recommended. Even if the refrigerator was carried level, the oil in the compressor could become agitated. It is necessary to let the equipment stand in an upright position for at least 2-4 hours (preferably more) so that the oil flows back into the crankcase.
Why does the refrigerator hum loudly when you first turn it on?
New compressors may operate a little louder due to the grinding in of parts. Refrigerant bubbling in the pipes can also make noise. If the hum is not accompanied by body vibration or knocking, this is normal. After a few days of operation, the sound usually becomes quieter.
Do you need to wash the refrigerator before turning it on for the first time?
Yes, definitely. There may be particles of factory grease, dust or a plastic smell left inside. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth with a mild detergent and leave the doors open for a couple of hours to ventilate.
What to do if the refrigerator does not turn off for the second day?
Check the tightness of the door, the absence of loading with warm food and the temperature in the room. If all conditions are met, and the motor continues to operate without interruption for more than 24 hours without cooling, call a technician.
Does the color of the refrigerator affect the operating time?
Indirectly, yes. Dark surfaces (black, dark blue) absorb heat more strongly, especially if they are exposed to sunlight. This may slightly increase the temperature of the case and increase the load on the heat removal system, although for modern models this factor is not critical.