Introduction to Inspecting a Refrigerator

 A kitchen refrigerator is an appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump, which transfers heat from the refrigerator's interior to its external environment. The refrigerator's interior is cooled to a temperature below the ambient air temperature. Refrigeration is essential for storing food, and the cool temperature of the refrigerator's interior helps slow the growth of micro-organisms to prevent spoilage. 

Operation Cycle

The slightly warm air inside the refrigerator comes in contact with the chilled coils and transfers its heat to the gas refrigerant flowing inside the cooling coils. This results in the cabinet interior and its contents to cool down. The warmed refrigerant flows to the compressor, which pressurizes and heats it up. The “squeezed” hot refrigerant leaves the compressor as a super-heated gas that flows to the condenser coils on the back-side of the refrigerator. As the gas flows through the condenser coils, the gas releases its heat to the surrounding air. That’s why it’s warm behind the refrigerator. The refrigerant then cools and condenses into a liquid. The liquid line terminates at the refrigerant control, the capillary tube, which controls the amount of refrigeration that goes to the cooling coils of the evaporator. When the liquid enters the capillary tube, the liquid pressure drops due to a very small diameter of the capillary. The refrigerant leaves the refrigerant control and enters a low pressure environment of the evaporator. Moving through the cooling coils, the refrigerant continues its job of absorbing heat from the food inside the refrigerator.    Styles & Features    Some common types of refrigerators include the following:

• traditional style, with the freezer on the top and the refrigerator on the bottom;
• side-by-side style, with the freezer on the left side and the refrigerator on the right side;
• bottom-mounted style, with the refrigerator on the top and the freezer on the bottom; and
• French-door style, with two doors for the refrigerator on the top and one bottom freezer door compartment.

Some common features include:

• automatic defrosting;
• a power-failure warning that alerts the user by flashing a temperature display;
• chilled water and ice from a dispenser in the door;
• cabinet rollers that let the refrigerator roll away from the wall for easier cleaning behind it;
• adjustable shelves and trays;
• a status indicator that notifies the homeowner when it's time to change the water filter;
• an in-door ice caddy, which relocates the ice-maker storage to the freezer door and saves approximately 60 liters (2 cu. ft.) of usable freezer space;
• a cooling zone in the refrigerator door shelves, which works by diverting air from the freezer section to the refrigerator door to cool milk, juice, and other beverages stored in the door shelf;
• a drop-down door built into the refrigerator's main door, providing easy access to frequently-used items, such as milk, thus saving energy by not having to open the main door; and
• a fast-freeze function that rapidly cools foods by running the compressor for a predetermined amount of time and thus temporarily lowering the freezer temperature below normal operating levels.

Inspection

According to the InterNACHI Standards of Practice (nachi.org/sop), the inspector is not required to inspect or move appliances.  However, appliance inspection is required by some states' SOPs, and some inspectors offer appliance inspection as part of their standard home inspection.  So, it's useful to understand how common household appliances function.    The inspector may attempt to inspect the refrigerator using normal operating controls. A full and comprehensive inspection may need to be deferred to a qualified expert. However, the inspector may exert his/her best effort by referring to the owner's manual (if available) to determine the proper condition and operation of the appliance in order to report any apparent deficiencies, whose further evaluation and repair (if required) must be deferred to a qualified professional. 

The inspector may report as deficient:

• inoperative unit(s);
• damage to the exterior or interior of the cabinet or components;
• rust on the exterior or interior of the cabinet or components;
• damaged or missing interior shelving;
• excessive ice or frost formation;
• unusual sounds or vibration levels;
• dirty or damaged coils;
• deficiencies in the:
• door gasket, hinges, closure and handle;
• lights;
• controls and control panels;
• door operation;
• water valve and location(s); and 
• water supply line (if applicable).

The inspector may document:

• Style: _______________________
• Make: _____________________
• Model: ____________________
• Manufacturer: ______________________
• Year Manufactured: ____________________

Temperature

The refrigerator should maintain an interior temperature of 40° F or less. The freezer should maintain an interior temperature below 32° F.

Weight

Most home refrigerators weigh between 200 and 450 pounds, and some models weight up to 875 pounds.

Energy Efficiency

Current U.S. refrigerator models that are ENERGY STAR-qualified use 50% less energy than the average models made in 1974. The most energy-efficient units made in the U.S. consume about one-half a kilowatt-hour per day. Large refrigerators, especially those with large freezers and ice makers, may use as much as 4 kWh per day.

Damage

Check the refrigerator inside and out, paying special attention to any areas corresponding to indications of damage. Look carefully for dents and scratches on both the interior and exterior of the refrigerator.

Doors

Open and close the refrigerator and freezer doors to check their operation. Check that the door lights come on and that the doors close evenly and tightly with the frame of the refrigerator. Inspect the gasket material of the door. The door should close and seal tightly, with no gaps that could allow cold air to escape. Door gaskets should not be torn, twisted, or otherwise out of shape to assure that they make a tight seal. Gaskets can be replaced and are not too expensive, but if they need to be replaced, this should lower the price of the used refrigerator.