What happens if I use my freezer below -15C? (lemmy.world)

submitted 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) by MoonlightFox@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I have a chest freezer that has operating temperatures down to -15C. I want to leave it on the balcony, which has a roof and it is shielded from the elements. But for shorter periods of the year we get weather colder than -15C.

Will it damage the freezer? Will the freezer just stop running temporarily? If the ambient temperature is -20 and the inside is -5-10C then atleast it won't get hotter, so the food won't spoil if it gets colder inside.

Edit: I could connect a smart plug and disconnect it if below -15, if that would help

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[-] Bougie_Birdie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 11 hours ago

I was a little curious myself, so I found an article about it.

I admit that I don't know exactly how a freezer works, but my impression is that the cold temperatures not only make it more difficult for the freezer to run, but apparently regardless of if it's running they can damage the insulation.

So I suppose that even if you do disconnect the power, the damage to the insulation will cause more work for the compressor, which will increase its energy costs and cause more strain for the part.

Knowing that, if it was me, I'd probably bring the freezer in for the winter. Although I suppose if you want to keep your food on your balcony you could swap the freezer for any insulated cooler. The winter is pretty long here though, so I guess I'd just find a more permanent home for the freezer if I could

this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2024

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