Freezer not getting down to temperature.

soupdragon10

I have an upright freezer that gets cold, but only to about 1 degree C rather than sub zero. Is this an easy fix for a repairman, or do I have to ditch this and get another? It's out of warranty but in as new condition so if it's repairable I would prefer to do this, plus it's one less in landfill.

EssexExile

Impossible to tell from here. It could be anything from a faulty thermostat (cheap & simple) to a faulty compressor (harder & expensive).

Is it frost free? If so empty it, turn it off for 24 hours, door open, then turn it back on again, you may need towels to soak up any water. That can work miracles.

soupdragon10

Thanks, hadn't considered the thermostat. Will try turning off and leaving door open. Yes it is a frost free Hotpoint freezer.

Want to explore repair options to a) save it going to landfill and b) save money just before Christmas.

Could it need regassing? is this something modern freezers need? just remember this being a thing relating to a freezer years ago.

KeithP

Is this a fridge/freezer that is perhaps in a garage or other unheated place?

soupdragon10

No it's an upright freezer in my utility room.

EssexExile

soupdragon10 wrote: »

Thanks, hadn't considered the thermostat. Will try turning off and leaving door open. Yes it is a frost free Hotpoint freezer.

Want to explore repair options to a) save it going to landfill and b) save money just before Christmas.

Could it need regassing? is this something modern freezers need? just remember this being a thing relating to a freezer years ago.

Regassing is still a thing but that will need a specialist who can tell whether it just needs regassing or a new compressor.

phill99

Questions:


Can you her the compressor kicking in?


Is the utility room heated or is it cold? If the room is cold, then the freezer will not get own to temperature as it works off ambient temperatures. So if the atmosphere is cold, the n it thinks it doesn't need to turn itself on to freeze.


In terms of land fill, you're overthinking. If you get it removed by either the local authority or the company that sells you a new one, they go to a reprocessing centre where they are degassed, have the insulation removed and then the metal is recycled into tin cans and new BMWs etc.

soupdragon10

Yes I can hear the compressor kicking in and it does lower the temperature (the utility room is heated) just doesn't get down cold enough for frozen food to stay frozen,

phill99

If it heeded regassing it wouldn't get spdown to any temperature and the compressor would run constantly. Seems like the thermostat.

Ebe_Scrooge

EssexExile wrote: »

Is it frost free? If so empty it, turn it off for 24 hours, door open, then turn it back on again, you may need towels to soak up any water. That can work miracles.

I'll second this idea. We had exactly the same problem with our upright freezer, and "defrosting" it did the trick. I believe I'm right in saying that even frost-free freezers still need to be defrosted every so often ?? Whatever, this worked for us.

Whilst you're at it, give everything a really good clean, especially the door seals. It only takes a small bit of muck on the seal to prevent it from sealing properly, and if it's not sealed then that will also stop it from reaching the correct temperature.

Davy_Jones_II

Are you sure that the door is closing fully such that it needs a proper tug to open?