Installing a refrigerator: rules and tips. New refrigerator: instruction manual

Installation of a freestanding refrigerator

Installing a regular refrigerator does not involve complex manipulations, so everyone can cope with this process on their own. The main rule is to ensure a regular supply of electricity. Therefore, first of all, it is better to connect a separate uninterruptible power supply to a regular outlet. It is better to spend an additional few hundred rubles and be confident in the safety of the device, since all refrigeration equipment is difficult to repair.

Before you go to the store, you need to measure the volume of space into which you plan to fit the device. It is important to understand that a new refrigerator should never be placed in close proximity to a stove or other heating elements. It is also recommended to avoid direct sunlight. This is because work efficiency may also be reduced.

Do not install the refrigerator close to the wall. The minimum distance from the device to the wall is at least 9 cm. The legs and other supporting elements must fit snugly to the floor, this will contribute to the high-quality operation of the compressor and minimize noise during operation of the device.

Built-in refrigerator: installation features

Such devices are becoming increasingly popular among buyers. Built-in equipment saves space, creates less noise during its operation, and with its help you can maintain the unity of the design. The quality and functionality of the built-in often outperforms traditional devices.

Built-in household appliances have their own characteristics that should be taken into account when installing the housing and the device itself. Self-installation of a built-in refrigerator must be carried out in accordance with the following requirements:

1. The front support (as a rule, it is made in the form of small legs) must be unscrewed a little so that the door closes tightly and the cold does not escape outside. The tilt should be about 1-2 degrees.
2. If there is a hob or oven nearby, the built-in refrigerator should be installed at a distance of at least 7 cm. Closely located heating devices will interfere with the full operation of the compressor.
3. The platform on which the device is installed must provide a flat surface horizontally and vertically, this will help to avoid strong noise and humming during operation.
4. The niche into which the device is built must provide free air circulation to avoid overheating of the device. Therefore, when building a cabinet, it is necessary to have a margin of several centimeters in width, depth and height relative to the size of the refrigerator.
5. In accordance with the instructions for installing the refrigerator, all wires must be grounded.
6. It is best if the niche into which the device is built does not have a back wall.

How to turn on the refrigerator for the first time

Few people know how to turn on the refrigerator for the first time. As a result of this, many refrigerator owners will soon encounter problems such as the breakdown of this appliance. Of course, there can be many reasons for this. But, if you turn on the unit incorrectly immediately after transporting it home, it may not work well, and ultimately fail altogether. In order for your refrigerator to work correctly and for a long time, you need to know the basic rules. There are not many of them and they are not at all complicated. But, subject to these requirements, your equipment will serve faithfully.

Where to begin?

Before proceeding directly with installation, you must read the attached instructions. As a rule, some modern models may have additional requirements that must be met. Devices that support the latest features (such as smart refrigerators) require additional installation conditions to optimize their performance. Even before purchasing, it is worth studying the requirements for the place of their installation.

Before directly installing the refrigerator, you should definitely check the power cable for manufacturing defects and damage. If deep scratches or other defects are noticed, it is recommended not to use it but to replace it immediately. This will prevent a power failure that could cause serious damage. The refrigerator is installed in a pre-prepared place. The most important thing is that it is even (to avoid skew).

Connecting a refrigerator with cold water connection

Many refrigerators may have an ice maker. It is used to create ice that can be added to drinks. The devices can be of a bulk or stationary type.

In the first case, your refrigerator will have a special tank into which you need to add water. To connect a refrigerator with a stationary ice maker, you need to connect the water supply to the required connector. In order to connect a stationary type refrigerator, it is necessary to supply water to it.

First you need to install a two-compartment refrigerator in a prepared place. After this, you will need to cut into the water main. The choice of materials for this process will depend on the type of plumbing. After this, you need to read the manufacturer's recommendations and connect the water supply to the refrigerator. Then just check the system is working.

As you can see, connecting the refrigerator to the power supply yourself is quite simple.

Rules for installing a refrigerator

If the device is freestanding, then connecting will not take much time. If the installation site has already been prepared, then immediately after delivery it can be put in place. Here it is necessary to adjust the horizontal level so that the door can slam shut without much effort. It is worth noting that the refrigerator must always remain in a stable position. It is necessary to double-check whether the ice maker and other components are connected correctly. Incorrect leveling of the refrigerator is the main cause of uncharacteristic noise during operation of the device. Therefore, experts recommend paying special attention to this moment.

Before connecting a new refrigerator to the network, let it stand in the room for at least 12 hours in order to adapt to the microclimate.

You can only add food after three hours have passed from the moment of connection.

First connection to the power grid

To know how to turn on the refrigerator, you need to understand the basic principles of operation of the device:

1. Inside it there is not only space for loading products, but also a motor that ensures their cooling.
2. The main elements of the cooling system are the motor, compressor and refrigerant. Freon is used as the latter in most cases.
3. Freon can be inside the system in the form of a liquid or gas. Absorbing heat, it turns into gaseous form.
4. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. As a result, freon releases heat into the surrounding space every cycle of operation of the refrigerator.
5. The motor ensures the operation of the compressor, which contains machine oil inside.

If the first launch occurs immediately after installation, then the following happens. When transported in an inclined position or on its side, the oil from the compressor is mixed with freon. This mixture has less compressibility. As a result, the motor will run continuously. Each refrigerator operation cycle will take place with minimal interruption. This will first lead to overload and then to failure. If the refrigerator sits for several hours, the oil and freon will separate and take their place, and the refrigerator will be ready for use. This is why it is not recommended to turn on the refrigerator immediately after purchase.

How your new refrigerator will work depends on the quality and stability of the power supply. A voltage drop in the network or sudden surges cannot be ruled out. They can be avoided if the refrigerator is connected to the network through a stabilizer. In this case, the refrigerator will receive stable power supply even with sudden voltage changes.

Modern refrigerators are low-power. There is no need to buy an expensive stabilizer for them. By installing it after delivery, the owner will protect the equipment from possible breakdowns due to faulty operation of the electrical network. Whether it can be avoided depends on the quality of the electrical network.

If several electrical appliances are powered from the outlet, it is better to use a surge protector for connection, which will protect the refrigerator from overload. The refrigerator must be connected to an outlet that has a ground connection.

When connecting for the first time, it is not recommended to place food inside immediately. The refrigerator gets cold during several hours of idling. During this time he must rest. Depending on the model and the initial settings used, this will take from 5 hours to a day. Each cycle of operation of the refrigerator will take place virtually without additional load.

It is better to load the refrigerator with products gradually. If you immediately load it completely, sudden changes can negatively affect the electronics that control operation. In this case, the refrigerator’s operating cycle will be subject to increased load.

When turning on the refrigerator for the first time, it is recommended to use the minimum temperature setting. Activating fast freezing at this time is not recommended. After a few hours, when the operating mode is established, food gradually begins to be loaded into the refrigerator. At first, it is important that the device operates without overload, gradually entering the operating mode, and the cyclicity must be correct. Do not place heated food inside. Before placing it inside, you need to wait for it to cool to at least room temperature.

After the refrigerator has just been brought into the house, you cannot turn on the refrigerator for the first time right away. The empty refrigerator should stand for 2-3 hours. This is due to the following circumstance. Before starting to work, the oil inside the system must drain and the refrigerant must be evenly distributed throughout the refrigeration system. If transportation was carried out in frosty weather, then you need to wait some more time. The refrigerator must be turned on frequently in cases where it cannot provide sufficient cooling.

Operating instructions for a new refrigerator

It includes five main stages:

1. Proper transportation process. It is not recommended to tilt the device at 40 degrees to prevent damage to the new refrigerator. The device must only be transported in an upright position. If such transportation is not possible, the refrigerator must be transported on its side. After installing it in place, you should let it sit for at least a day to allow all the refrigerant to drain.
2. Placement in a prepared space. The installation location must be selected in such a way that the distance from the heating elements is at least 7 cm. Also, do not place the refrigerator close to the back wall; air circulation must be free.
3. Installation process. After the device has been unpacked, it is not recommended to immediately release the movers. First you need to check all components and the presence of manufacturing defects. If defects are found, the problem must be resolved on site.
4. Cleaning the interior. Of course, before starting use, all shelves must be wiped with a solution containing soda or a special disinfectant.
5. Timely defrosting. This process will help get rid of excess ice in the freezer compartment (in the case of a drip defrosting system) and normalize the operation of the compressor.

Everything you need to know about refrigerators: clearly, clearly and point by point

Let's start with not the most important, but funny question: why are refrigerators white? Yes, of course, let’s say right away that not ALL of them are white. There are enough models in silver, dark and bright colors. But the fact remains that white is still the favorite color. This can be explained in several ways:

Let's go scientific and remember the well-known law of physics: white reflects light, and black, on the contrary, attracts. We remember that the main function of the refrigerator is, of course, cooling and everything falls into place.

The kitchen is an area where you constantly need to keep it clean. On a white surface, dirt is immediately visible and housewives claim that the desire to remove this dirt automatically appears. Therefore, a white refrigerator has a better chance of being clean. And finally, white color fits perfectly into any kitchen interior. It will look harmonious in a light kitchen, it will be a contrast in a dark kitchen, and it will become an accent in a bright kitchen.

Let's move on to more pressing questions: on forums people often ask whether the refrigerator needs to sit out after it is brought from the store? No one says that the refrigerator will break if you immediately connect it to the network after transportation. But many manufacturers advise waiting at least 3-4 hours, especially if the unit was transported in a horizontal position.

The “heart” of the refrigerator is the compressor (to put it simply, a motor with a pump). It pumps the refrigerant and oil throughout the system. If you immediately turn on the unit after transportation, some of the oil will not have time to flow through the pipes, and the compressor will operate without a sufficient amount of lubrication. Which will lead to rapid wear later. Therefore, it is better to let the refrigerator sit overnight and then connect it.

Moreover, the acquisition is worth taking care of:

1. Let's look inside: stickers, polystyrene foam, cardboard, film, wrapping paper - we get rid of everything unnecessary. We check the freezer and refrigerator compartments very carefully for the presence of foreign objects. 2. Does a new refrigerator need to be washed? This procedure is not prescribed anywhere, is not mandatory, and certainly does not affect the operation of the device. But – your food will be there too! Therefore, it is better to thoroughly wash the unit both outside and inside. In addition, new refrigerators contain an unpleasant, industrial smell.

3. If the specific smell of plastic is strong, then you can add a couple of drops of acetic acid to the water. And it is better to refrain from various cleaning products. This can only worsen the situation, because such products are very difficult to wash out.

It will be useful to know: Do-it-yourself refrigerator repair: myth or reality?

How to connect a refrigerator correctly: convenience and protection

First, make sure that the refrigerator is installed on a level surface and will not wobble. After installation - the stage of connecting the unit to the network. And here a logical question arises: is a voltage stabilizer needed? This purchase is not required. It is quite enough to have a socket with a grounding contact at home. But there is an unspoken law: a stabilizer should be used for every expensive piece of household appliance. When purchasing it, you should pay attention to such points as:

• maximum current;
• number of phases;
• efficiency;
• device power;
• input/output voltage;
• noise level;
• cooling type;
• period of operation.

Manufacturers claim that the stabilizer must be selected individually for each refrigerator: 1. The standard option is a voltage stabilizer for a 220V refrigerator. 2. For LG refrigerators, the maximum stabilizer power should be 2000VA.

3. For Indesit, a hybrid stabilizer would be an excellent solution. Such a refrigerator with two compressors reaches 3 kW.

4. But for the ATLANT refrigerator it is better to buy a device that will be cooled by convection. 5. High sensitivity stabilizer is suitable for Samsuhg refrigerators.

6. For Liebherr refrigerators, you should choose a mechanism with an efficiency of at least 98%.

There is another option on how to protect equipment from power surges and surges. Whether you need a refrigerator voltage relay is up to you to decide, we will simply provide information on the possibilities:

• general voltage relay;
• group voltage relay;
• time relay with turn-on delay.

In the first case, such a relay will allow you to set a turn-on delay of 5, maximum 10 minutes. The main disadvantage is immediately clear - power supply in the apartment will appear only after a delay. With frequent changes, this will definitely add inconvenience. The second option is more convenient, especially since you can use a voltage relay to protect compressor equipment. After the difference, the refrigerator will turn on later, and other equipment will already be working. This method is quite expensive and it is necessary to find a place for a switchboard.

With the third method, everything is also very clear - the relay closes the contacts after some time (after power is applied to the winding).

Refrigerator efficiency

When buying a refrigerator, you should pay attention to the class of electricity consumption, because this device takes up 30% of the total light indicator on the meter.

To find out how many kW a refrigerator consumes, an international classification of economical consumption classes has been developed. The highest level is “G”, less than F, E, D, C, but it is better to avoid them too. The lowest consumption indicator is A+++, A++, A+, A, B. More often, modern refrigerators spend from 200 to 600 kilowatts per year. From here, you can calculate how much the refrigerator consumes per day - 0.55-1.64 kW.

The efficiency of a refrigeration appliance is also affected by:

• how loaded the refrigerator is with products - the more clogged it is, the more effort the appliance will exert and generate kW to cool them;
• temperature in the room - the higher it is, the more energy it will consume;
• is there ventilation and doors in the room;
• refrigerator size - a large appliance with two doors will draw more electricity than a small appliance;
• conditions of use - proper care and compliance with the rules of use will not only extend the life of the device, but will also affect its efficiency;

Experts give some more tips on how in a few simple steps you can reduce the electricity consumption of your refrigerator and save kWh on your bill:

• do not place liquid dishes and drinks open, try to cover everything with a lid (borscht, lemonades, compotes, jelly): the evaporator will deteriorate;
• Do not display food on one or two shelves, leaving doors and lower shelves empty. Uneven placement of food affects air circulation, and if it is disturbed, the refrigerator will start working more intensely;
• Leave a distance between the wall of the refrigerator and the wall of the apartment. The same applies to nearby equipment and furniture;
• life hack and additional memory training: before opening the refrigerator, imagine where the desired product is. This will save time during which the refrigerator will release cold air;
• do not set the temperature too low, 4 to 6 degrees above zero is enough;
• Do not place hot or warm food;
• do not forget to check gaskets, loops and elastic bands that may allow cold to pass through;

If you are a supporter of innovative approaches, developers come up with more and more technologies every year so that the main advantage of the refrigerator becomes “efficiency”. Among them:

• improve the system that regulates the operation of the compressor;
• introduce new reflective properties of refrigerator coatings;
• experiment with internal design;
• make the self-defrosting function more economical;