Ready to kick your fridge to the curb? If your refrigerator or freezer has ever stopped working, you know how much it interferes with your daily life. Not only does it take time and money to fix such a large appliance, but you can wind up with hundreds of dollars worth of food waste if you don’t have a backup plan.
More on this later, but if you have a Mulberry Unlimited product protection plan for your refrigerator, it covers up to $500 in food loss replacement (plus other mechanical and electrical failures, wear and tear, and power surge damage). Subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited so you don't miss out on appliance warranties that will protect you against real issues.
What are common refrigerator problems?
You should know what to look out for when your refrigerator starts showing signs of wear and tear. Getting ahead of some appliance issues can save you money on repairs down the road.
Temperature fluctuations
If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, you need to figure out the reason as quickly as possible. Even if you don’t have a lot of food in the fridge to go to waste, you’ll spend more money on takeout with each passing day.
It could be something simple like disorganized food in the fridge that's blocking the cooling mechanisms. More often, it's something more serious like dirty condenser coils, faulty gasket seals or malfunctioning internal parts. The latter will usually require a professional opinion, which can be expensive if you don't have extended warranties for your appliances.
Proper ventilation
Try to make sure you leave some room between your refrigerator and any wall you place it against. It’s important to leave enough room for adequate airflow for the air vents. Make sure you keep this in mind for the interior too. If your fridge is packed to the brim, you could be blocking vents, which helps the machine maintain an ideal cool temperature.
Old gaskets
Unfortunately it’s normal for gaskets or their seals to wear down over time. If you’re having trouble opening or closing the door, this could be a sign you might need to replace the seal. Sometimes a good cleaning might be all you need.
Dirty condenser coils
If your fridge isn’t cooling properly but everything else seems to be fine, you might want to check your condenser coils. The dirtier they are, the harder they have to work to keep your fridge functioning. Try vacuuming the coils underneath or behind the fridge. If that doesn't work, refer to #1 - you'll probably need to call a technician.
Fan problems
If you can’t identify any of the issues above and your fridge still isn't working properly, you might have an issue with the fan motor. If your fridge is making a clicking noise or if you feel like the appliance is overheating, you should definitely have a professional take a look.
If you purchased an extended warranty for your refrigerator, chances are pretty good that the issue you're experiencing could be covered. If you don't have an extended warranty, check your manufacturer's warranty coverage before you call a technician and pay out of pocket for repairs.
Depending on the age of your machine or the part that's damaged, it may be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. However, manufacturer's warranties offer limited coverage, especially beyond the first year. Check out this article to learn more about the difference between a manufacturer's warranty and an extended warranty.
What warranty coverage is offered by top refrigerator manufacturers?
Let's take a look at what level of warranty coverage is offered by some of the top refrigerator manufacturers.
Samsung fridge warranty
If you have a Samsung refrigerator, you’ll get one full year of parts and labor coverage with their basic manufacturer’s warranty. Extended coverage is available for 1- to 5-year terms.
LG fridge warranty
The standard warranty from LG covers one year of parts and labor, much like other brands. The extended warranty is available for either 1, 2, or 3 additional years and includes up to $300 for food loss.
GE fridge warranty
The GE appliance warranty will cover parts and labor for up to one year. They have multi-year extended warranty plans available for purchase that offering varying levels of coverage.
Whirlpool fridge warranty
Whirlpool's basic warranty coverage also protects you for up to one year, covering parts and labor. If you choose to get extended coverage, they have plans available for 1 to 5 years, including a clause for replacement in the event that they cannot repair your product.
Expand your refrigerator coverage with Mulberry Unlimited
Most times, the manufacturer's standard or extended warranty coverage for your appliances isn’t enough, or if it does you'll pay for it in very high premiums. That’s why Mulberry Unlimited is the ultimate in product protection coverage for the items you use most.
Not only can you file unlimited claims and access 24/7 customer support, but you'll also get extended benefits like $500 of food loss reimbursement. Regardless of which brand you go with, Mulberry Unlimited will fill in the gaps wherever you need the coverage so you can have the appliance protection plan you deserve.
