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Placing refrigerators on top of the carpet is a terrible idea. You should avoid doing this if possible, but if not, there are ways to make the situation more acceptable.
Read on to find out how to keep your fridge from ruining that carpeting and vice versa.
Here’s What You Should Put Under Your Refrigerator on a Carpet:
Carpets are not the best spots to station your refrigerator because they retain heat and stop air circulation in the compressor and cooling system. If you have no other choice but to install your appliance on carpeting, you should place something underneath, like a movable base or a linoleum.
Putting a safeguard between the refrigerator and the carpet will ensure that air will circulate freely. It will also keep water from the appliance off your carpet.
You have several options to consider when choosing the material you need for this undertaking.
If you can find a compact wooden board or transportable base, this will be excellent in protecting the underside of your refrigerator from the carpet and the other way around.
A mat or a rug will do just fine. You want to put an absorbent material between your appliance and the carpet to catch any seepage.
Rugs are not only an economical solution to your predicament but an aesthetic one as well. With these, you can ensure that any leakage from your appliance will get absorbed before it ruins your carpet.
They also tend to be affordable, so you will have no trouble replacing them if needed.
You want to get a mat that is durable but not too thick that it will only aggravate the situation. It should promote good airflow in your refrigerator, so you should avoid materials like heavily carpeted fibers.
Straw mats or rugs are a good choice. They absorb liquid well and are hard-wearing enough for your purpose.
When positioning the rug underneath the refrigerator, you should check if it is not blocking or rubbing up against anything on the appliance’s underside.
Rugs also add a dash of color and style to any room. When choosing, you should take advantage and consider one that will not clash with your overall décor.
Another excellent option is a protective plastic or vinyl sheet.
Vinyl is heat resistant. If the cooling unit of your appliance is at the bottom, it will keep your carpet safe from burns in cases of overheating.
One setback of having carpeting under the refrigerator is that it prevents the appliance door from closing correctly.
Leaving the door ajar can result in serious cooling problems for your unit.
The smooth texture of vinyl can help reduce friction, so you can avoid such problems. It also helps that it is lightweight but heavy-duty.
If you want to go the extra mile in protecting your refrigerator from your carpet and vice versa, vinyl sheets are what you need.
Here’s Why Putting the Refrigerator on Your Carpet Without Anything Underneath Is a Bad Idea:
You should never place your refrigerator on the carpet for several valid reasons. The first is that this can irreversibly damage your appliance.
Carpets retain heat, which can cause the refrigerator’s compressor to work overtime.
Compressors are the pumps that aid the flow of the refrigerant, the chemical compound used in the refrigeration cycle. They work by increasing the temperature and pressure of the vaporized refrigerant.
If too much heat is involved, the compressor will use more energy and work for extended periods. Eventually, this may result in a breakdown.
Carpets under the refrigerator also block the airflow to the condenser. This set of coiled tubes cools and transforms the vaporized refrigerant to liquid before it flows to the expansion valve and the evaporator.
Condensers work by drawing off the hot air from inside the appliance and moving it outside, condensing the gas and turning it into liquid through cooling.
While most condensers are located at the back of the appliance, some have them at the bottom.
A condenser is always relatively hot when you touch it. Without proper airflow, it is bound to overheat.
If your refrigerator’s condenser is located at the bottom, placing it in the carpet can only spell disaster.
Blocked airflow in the condenser means it will have to work harder to do its function.
Aside from burning out quicker, an overtaxed condenser may increase energy consumption. When you see your electricity bill, you may be surprised why it suddenly skyrocketed.
This may also cause a fire.
Your refrigerator needs to be well-ventilated. Carpet obstructing vents may cause the appliance to overheat then leak.
Leakage does not bode well in your carpeting. If there is seepage and moisture build-up, this may cause mold and mildew to form.
Water soaking the carpet also leads to discoloration. After spending so much on carpeting, it will be a letdown to see a faded spot right where you kept your appliance.
Refrigerators placed directly on carpets may also lead to unsightly lesions and tear.
Can You Put Cardboard Under a Refrigerator on a Carpet?
No. Cardboard under the refrigerator can do more harm than good. Aside from causing airflow issues, it may lead to a moisture problem.
Cardboards are buffer surfaces that disrupt the air circulation around your appliance. They cause the refrigerator to work extra to generate sufficient cold by trapping the heat.
This strain may lead to both the compressor and the condenser malfunctioning, then eventually failure.
Cardboards also create issues with moisture. High humidity levels lead to dampness within the material.
Since cardboards are porous, they trap moisture, making evaporation impossible. Damp cardboard also means that it is an ideal avenue for mold growth.
If your refrigerator is allowed to rest on moist cardboard for a long time, some of the dampness will eventually breach the vents and cause them to rust.
Cardboards can also be fire hazards since they are highly flammable. They make it easier for a potential blaze to take hold and spread.
If you have to put something between your refrigerator and carpet, opt for rugs, solid boards, or waterproof vinyl and linoleum.
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