Fridge Coolants Explained: A Guide for Durban Homeowners 

Durban fridge coolant guide

You rely on your fridge every day. It keeps your food fresh and your drinks cold. But what happens when it starts to lose its cool? When things aren’t as chilled as they should be, the issue often lies with the fridge’s coolant or refrigerant. Understanding these vital components helps you protect your appliance and avoid unnecessary stress.

If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, it might be time for a Fridge coolant refill. Our experts in Durban can quickly restore your fridge to optimal performance, keeping your food fresh and safe

Coolant vs. Refrigerant: What’s the Difference?

Many people use the terms ‘coolant’ and ‘refrigerant’ interchangeably, but they serve different functions.

• A coolant cools things down. Think of the liquid in your car’s radiator; it absorbs heat.
• A refrigerant is a specific substance used in a refrigeration cycle. It changes from a liquid to a gas and back again. This process allows it to transfer heat effectively. In your fridge, the refrigerant is the real mainstay.

Durban fridge coolant guide  How it works

Your refrigerator contains a closed-loop system. The refrigerant circulates through this system in a continuous cycle:

1. Absorption: The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside your fridge, turns  into a gas.
2. Compression: The gas travels to the compressor, which increases its pressure and temperature.
3. Condensation: The hot, high-pressure gas moves to the condenser coils on the back of the fridge, where it releases heat and turns back into a liquid.
4. Expansion: The liquid refrigerant flows through an expansion valve, which rapidly cools it.
5. Return: The chilled liquid returns to the evaporator coils inside your fridge, ready to start the cycle again.

For a clear explanation of how refrigerators function, visit this guide from Danfoss on how a fridge works. 

Signs You Need Fridge Repair in Durban

Over time, this system can develop issues like a small leak or a blockage. Watch for these common signs that you might need a professional fridge repair service in Durban:

• The compressor runs constantly, but your food isn’t getting cold.
• You see a noticeable lack of frost in the freezer.
• Your fridge’s performance is steadily declining.

Ignoring these warnings can lead to more serious damage, such as a burnt-out compressor. This is a very expensive component to replace. It’s far more cost-effective to fix the underlying issue with professional fridge repair here in Durban.