Not everyone can boast a spacious apartment with wide corridors and a large kitchen. In most cases, average Russian families have to huddle in small "Khrushchevs", the layout of which leaves much to be desired. In the conditions of a catastrophic lack of space, sometimes it is necessary to use not quite standard layout schemes for equipment and furniture. This article will discuss the location of the refrigerator in the balcony area.
The principle of operation of the refrigerator
Knowledge of how the equipment in question works is necessary in order to comply with safety rules for its operation, storage, and maintenance. After all, the life of the refrigerator depends on the proper operation .
One of the most important elements of the system is the compressor. It is he who starts the movement of freon through the tubes, providing cooling in the chambers. The capacitor gives off the thermal energy emitted by the compressor and dissipates it in the environment. Condenser tubes are located on the back of the refrigerator. In the evaporator, freon boils, passing into a gaseous state. Heat is absorbed and the air in the chamber cools.
The number of freon pumping cycles with a change in its state of aggregation depends on the temperature regime in the chambers. Until the desired indicator is reached, the engine will work. As soon as the temperature drops to the desired value, the control board will send a signal to the start-up relay, which will stop the motor.
Manufacturer's recommendations for the operation of the refrigerator
It is precisely because of the fact that the refrigerator gives off a certain amount of heat during operation, the manufacturer recommends not placing the device near batteries or other hot objects. Overheating may occur, resulting in a malfunction.
Each model of the refrigerator belongs to a specific climate class. Class N refrigeration equipment can be operated at a temperature of +16 ... +32 degrees Celsius. SN-T class refrigerators can be used at a temperature of +10 ... +43 degrees Celsius. If you do not follow these recommendations, then there is a high probability of a breakdown. In this case, your refrigerator automatically “flies” with a guarantee, as the cause of the breakdown will be a violation of the rules for operating the equipment. So is it possible to put a refrigerator on the balcony? Let's try to figure it out.
Potential hazards when installing refrigeration equipment on the balcony
In Russia, a lot of dilapidated housing. In each village you can find multi-storey residential buildings that need major repairs.
Carefully study the design of the balcony. If the stove itself is shabby and flimsy, as in the top photo, it is strictly forbidden to put a refrigerator on the balcony. The weight of the unit is impressive enough for such unreliable structures, collapse may occur. In the event of a collapse, people or their property may suffer, for which you will have to pay.
Even if the balcony looks proportionate and reliable, problems can arise. Think for yourself: in the case of glazing and the organization of a warm floor, heavy frames, floor beams, flooring, a metal or wooden frame for walls, etc. are installed. All this already gives a significant load on the supporting plate of the balcony.
The refrigerator itself can weigh about 70-90 kg. If it is filled with products, then the mass will increase another 10 kilograms. The plate may simply not be able to withstand such a load. Plus, the constant vibration of refrigeration equipment is damaging to concrete elements.
Disposition of the kitchen with attached balcony
Increasingly, you can see rooms or kitchens with a broken partition between the room and the balcony. So people increase the living space of their cramped apartments. The balcony is insulated, glazed with 2- or 3-chamber double-glazed windows. It turns out to be a spacious kitchen. The refrigerator on the balcony will be part of the common space.
Such kitchens look very nice and harmonious. In modern apartment buildings, the balcony area can reach 5-6 m 2 , so this connection to the main area of the room can significantly expand the space of the kitchen. In some cases, windows are placed on the floor, which allows you to make the kitchen light, spacious and comfortable. On the additional area you can place a dining table, part of the kitchen set or other kitchen equipment.
Fridge on a glazed balcony
A refrigerator can be placed on a warm glazed balcony if all the conditions for its operation comply with the requirements of the manufacturer. Before installing the refrigerator, it is necessary to diagnose the condition of the concrete slab in order to protect itself from unforeseen circumstances (cracks from the load, deformation of the slab, collapse of the balcony)
Diagnosis should be carried out by a competent qualified engineer. Do not try to save money, invite him to inspect the capital elements of your apartment. After all, the possible consequences can impose much more costs on your family budget.
When you are convinced that everything is in compliance with the standards, you can proceed with the installation of the refrigerator. Remember that there should be no heating appliances near it. The design of the balcony with a fridge can be complemented by a small table and a comfortable sofa. Spending time in such an area will be incredibly pleasant, and chilled drinks will always be at hand.
Can I put a fridge on my balcony in winter?
In the winter season, when the outside temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, it is forbidden to use refrigeration equipment on the balcony.
The refrigerator will simply not function at low temperatures. The thing is that modern food storage devices have a special sensor that starts the compressor when the temperature rises from +4 to +10 degrees Celsius, it all depends on the settings and model of equipment. At minus temperatures, the compressor simply will not start.
In Full no Frost refrigerators, sensors that react to temperature are located in the freezer itself, therefore, such refrigerators will work on a cold balcony, since the working temperature for them is in the range of -16 ... -24 degrees Celsius. If the ambient temperature is higher, then the compressor will start. But you need to remember that the switching cycles will be very short, which will have a negative effect on the compressor. The oil will cool and thicken. Over time, the equipment will fail.
Safety regulations
If your refrigerator has stood on a cold balcony for some time and you decided to use it, you should not rush to connect it to the network. Let the device stand for a while in a warm room. The oil inside the components will warm up, become more liquid. Only after a few hours of "acclimatization" it will be possible to start the launch of the equipment.
Carrying any electrical equipment onto an open balcony is dangerous. If water gets into the appliance, a short circuit will occur in the network. Do not turn on the refrigerator in humid conditions.
Constantly monitor the condition of the balcony slab. It should not give cracks and chips. Remember that you risk not only flying into a big repair, but also harming someone else’s property, or maybe even health, because people on the lower floors also have balconies and they are located under your heavily loaded concrete slab .
Damage associated with the storage of refrigeration equipment on the balcony
If the refrigerator is on the balcony for a long time, problems may arise associated with its functional elements. For example, due to low temperatures, the compressor will fail. With prolonged exposure to ultraviolet, the coating on the refrigerator will begin to crack and crumble, the rubber inserts on the doors will dry out.
Over time, metal parts will become corroded, since condensation will occur on the tubes and other elements due to the temperature difference between the air and the refrigerator parts. Over time, the refrigerator will become unusable.
All rubber elements that are in the design of the refrigerator will become unusable when stored for a long time at low temperatures. The sealant will cease to be flexible, which will lead to loss of tightness of the closed door. This leads to problems associated with increased load on the compressor, which will turn off less and less, since in the summer warm air will flow into the refrigerator through the slots in the seal.
Cases when the storage of refrigeration equipment on the balcony is strictly prohibited
Do not store the refrigerator on the open balcony. Precipitation and aggressive environmental conditions will make themselves felt very quickly: there will be problems both in the functional part and in the external one. Moreover, you can not turn on the refrigerator in such conditions.
It is forbidden to install a refrigerator on a balcony support, which is distinguished by its unreliability and decay. This can lead to collapse.
If a fire escape is attached to your balcony, then storage of such dimensional objects on it is not allowed. This is due to the fire safety rules of the building. Passage should be free and accessible.
Finally
Before you put the refrigerator on the balcony, think carefully. Such a temporary shelter can cause heavy damage to the equipment, which will result in a number of problems with working capacity or even provide a complete failure of the refrigeration system. When storing in a warm and comfortable balcony, do not neglect the opinion of a competent engineer. It is he who can determine with high accuracy whether your balcony is suitable for such purposes.