Fridge Problems in Cold Weather? When Homeowners Need Garage Fridge Repair
Why Your Garage Fridge Might Not Survive an Edmonton Winter. In an unheated garage, deep-freeze temperatures can trick a standard fridge into shutting down or warming the fresh-food section, leading to spoiled groceries and wasted energy. Below we explain what’s happening, how to tell if your unit is garage-ready, and what to do if it isn’t.
A Common Mistake: Putting a Regular Fridge in the Garage
We see it all the time—someone upgrades their kitchen fridge and decides to move the old one to the garage for extra storage. It sounds like a good idea, especially during holidays or BBQ season when you need the extra space. But when winter hits in Edmonton or surrounding areas like Spruce Grove, Devon, or Fort Saskatchewan, that second fridge can fail fast.
Why? Because most refrigerators are not designed to operate in temperatures below -15°C. And here in Alberta, it’s not unusual to see -20°C, -25°C or even colder.
How Cold Affects Your Fridge
The compressor inside a fridge is designed to keep the inside cold, not to deal with the cold outside. In freezing temperatures, here’s what can happen:
- The compressor overworks itself trying to balance internal temps
- The oil inside the compressor thickens, causing stress on the motor
- Cold air tricks the thermostat into thinking it doesn’t need to run
- The freezer may stay cold but the fridge section warms up
We’ve had many service calls where the customer thinks their compressor has failed—an expensive repair—but in reality, the unit just wasn’t built for the conditions.
The Solution: Use a Garage-Ready Fridge
Not all fridges are the same. Only about 30% of units sold today are garage-ready, and most customers don’t realize that until they’ve already had issues.
A garage-ready fridge is built to operate in a wider temperature range, often as low as -18°C. These units have sensors and thermostats that are built for unstable environments like garages.
If you’re not sure if your fridge is garage-ready:
- Check the manufacturer’s website
- Look at the specs on the original paperwork
- Or call us—we can look it up for you
What You Can Do If You Already Have a Non-Garage-Ready Fridge in the Garage
1. Add a Unit Heater to the Garage
If replacing your fridge isn’t an option, installing a small garage heater can help maintain the ambient temperature. Just keep the garage above -10°C and your fridge should operate more normally. (We don’t install these, but your local HVAC company can.)
2. Use a Thermometer
Place a thermometer in both the fridge and freezer compartments. This helps you monitor performance and spot issues before they become costly.
3. Keep the Fridge Clean and Maintained
- Pull it out and vacuum the condenser coils every spring
- Make sure there’s airflow behind and around the unit
- Plug it into a surge protector to protect the control board from power fluctuations
Real Customer Example
We had a call from a customer in Stony Plain whose fridge had stopped cooling. They feared the worst—a broken compressor. When our technician arrived, he noticed the unit was in a freezing garage, and the fridge wasn’t garage-ready.
Diagnosis? The temperature had dipped too low and caused the compressor to shut down. No repair needed—just education. We recommended relocating the fridge inside or installing a heater. Saved them hundreds of dollars.
Cold Weather Tips for All Appliance Owners
- Never install a fridge or freezer outside without confirming it’s garage-ready
- Always check for proper airflow around appliances
- Keep vents and outside openings free from snow buildup
- Watch for frozen water lines in washers or dishwashers on outside walls
Call Us Before You Replace It
If your fridge is acting up, especially during the winter, let us take a look before you run out and buy a new one. We’ve helped many customers avoid unnecessary replacements by identifying cold-weather related issues.
We offer:
- Same-day or next-day service
- Flat-rate pricing: $109 service call (waived if you go ahead with the repair)
- $209 flat-rate labor fee, plus parts if needed
If you’re in Edmonton or one of the surrounding towns and your fridge isn’t keeping its cool, give us a call. We’re open seven days a week – even holidays – and we’re always ready to help.