Hot summer temperatures can make an RV Refrigerator work harder, especially when camping in direct sunlight or opening it throughout the day.
If you’ve noticed your RV refrigerator isn’t cooling like it used to, temperatures are fluctuating, or food and drinks aren’t staying as cold as expected, it may be time for an inspection and service.
At California RV Specialists in Lodi, CA, we provide RV refrigerator maintenance, diagnosis, repairs, replacement parts, and appliance vent inspections to help keep your refrigerator operating properly throughout the camping season.
Summer Heat Can Challenge an RV Refrigerator
An RV Refrigerator operates under very different conditions than the refrigerator in your home.
It’s installed in a relatively confined space, travels down the highway, experiences vibration, and relies on proper ventilation and airflow to help remove heat.
When outside temperatures climb, maintaining proper refrigerator temperatures can become more challenging.
That’s why it’s important to make sure the refrigerator and its ventilation system are in good condition.
Start by Checking the Refrigerator Vents
Proper ventilation is especially important for many RV refrigerator installations.
Depending on your RV and refrigerator design, heat may exit through an upper sidewall vent or a roof vent.
Exterior refrigerator vent areas should be inspected for:
- Dirt and debris
- Leaves
- Insect nests
- Damaged vent covers
- Obstructions
- Deteriorated components
- Signs of water intrusion
- Other conditions that may interfere with proper ventilation
Never intentionally block or restrict the ventilation required by your refrigerator manufacturer.
Insects Love RV Appliance Compartments
Mud daubers, wasps, spiders, and other insects can find RV appliance openings attractive places to build nests.
This is one reason we recommend regularly inspecting exterior appliance vents.
RV appliance insect screens are available for many refrigerator, furnace, and water-heater vent applications.
The important part is using a screen specifically designed for the particular appliance and vent. Improvised screening can potentially restrict airflow, which is something you don’t want around an appliance that depends on proper ventilation.
California RV Specialists carries and installs RV appliance insect screens for many applications.
Don’t Automatically Assume the Refrigerator Has Failed
A refrigerator that isn’t cooling properly doesn’t necessarily need replacement.
Cooling performance can be affected by several factors, depending on the refrigerator design.
Possible concerns can include:
- Improper ventilation
- Dirty or obstructed vent areas
- Electrical problems
- 12-volt power concerns
- 120-volt power concerns
- Propane-related operation on applicable refrigerators
- Control-board or component problems
- Installation concerns
- Door-seal problems
- Thermistor or temperature-sensing issues
- Component failure
Proper diagnosis is important before replacing an expensive refrigerator.
Help Your RV Refrigerator During Hot Weather
There are also things RV owners can do to help refrigerator performance during summer travel.
Try to avoid loading large amounts of warm food or drinks into the refrigerator immediately before leaving. Pre-cooling food and beverages at home can reduce the amount of heat the refrigerator needs to remove.
Avoid leaving the refrigerator door open longer than necessary, and don’t pack the interior so tightly that air cannot circulate properly.
Depending on your refrigerator, manufacturer, and installation, additional ventilation or fan systems may also be available.
Always follow the refrigerator manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Make Refrigerator Service Part of Annual Maintenance
Your RV refrigerator should not be forgotten simply because it is still getting cold.
Preventative inspection gives us an opportunity to look at accessible components, ventilation areas, and general operation before a problem interrupts a trip.
This is particularly valuable before or during hot-weather camping when the refrigerator may be working under more demanding conditions.
Spring & Summer RV Appliance Tune-Up
California RV Specialists offers our Spring & Summer RV Appliance Tune-Up Service from April through September.
For $600, this annual preventative maintenance package includes:
- 1 roof air conditioner service
- 1 refrigerator service
- 1 water heater service
It’s a convenient way to have three important warm-weather RV appliances serviced during one appointment.
Additional appliances, repairs, replacement parts, or services identified during the appointment are not included in the $600 package price and can be discussed separately.
Stop by for RV Appliance Parts & Insect Screens
Not every RV appliance visit needs to be a major repair.
If you need replacement vent covers, appliance insect screens, maintenance products, or other common RV parts and accessories, stop by California RV Specialists.
We can help identify the appropriate part for your RV and appliance application.
Don’t Discover a Refrigerator Problem After You Fill It with Food
Before your next late-summer or Labor Day camping trip, turn your refrigerator on early and make sure it is operating properly.
If temperatures aren’t where they should be, something doesn’t seem right, or your refrigerator hasn’t received annual maintenance, have it checked before you leave.
California RV Specialists can help with RV refrigerator service, appliance maintenance, repairs, vent inspections, insect screens, parts, and replacement options.
Keep the food cold and spend your camping trip enjoying the RV—not worrying about the refrigerator.
California RV Specialists
200 S. Cherokee Lane
Lodi, California
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Serving RV owners since 2003
Serving RV owners from Lodi, Stockton, Galt, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, Modesto, Jackson, Ione, Valley Springs, and surrounding Northern California communities.
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