The refrigerator is next to the battery: is it possible or not?

Neighbors have changed. We got acquainted with the new tenants, went to see how they settled down. The hostess likes everything, but there is a moment that worries her. The radiators in their new kitchen are not located exactly the same as in the old one. And her desire to keep the usual arrangement of furniture and household appliances will lead to the refrigerator being next to the battery. Whether it is worth doing this, she did not finally decide, so the unit is still in the pantry.

And she started looking for an answer to the question of whether the proximity of a refrigerator and a heating radiator is permissible. Now he probably knows everything about the right place for an irreplaceable kitchen unit.

Manufacturers are against!

First I studied the theory. It turned out that manufacturers producing different models of equipment agree on a categorical prohibition on the proximity of a cooling and heating device.

A radiator located near the refrigerator creates conditions that are not suitable for the normal operation of equipment.

• The wall (rear, side) and the motor of the refrigeration unit are constantly heated.
• To maintain the required temperature in the chambers, the device works without interruptions.
• Continuous operation without interruptions can cause the compressor to fail faster.
• The service life of the unit will be reduced, while the energy consumption caused by increased intensity of work, on the contrary, will increase.

Important! For refrigerators, close proximity not only to the battery is undesirable, but also to other sources of heat: stove, heater, fireplace, etc. The distance between them must be at least 35 cm. Optimally - a distance of 50 cm.

Consumers take risks

The manufacturer's recommendations are, of course, important. But let's be honest: we often deviate from them to a greater or lesser extent. And with the search for a place for the refrigerator, many do the same. What happens then? The discussion on the forum helps to find out about this.

According to the participants' remarks, they easily put cooling appliances next to radiators, hot water pipes and gas stoves. Moreover, they are installed close or at a minimum distance (about 5 cm).

The owners of the devices claim that such a neighborhood does not affect their condition and operation.. And for the sake of persuasiveness, the terms of such placement are given. And these are big numbers: 15–20 years.

Is it worth replenishing the number of those who allow such combinations in their kitchen? Everyone makes the decision for himself. And he also takes responsibility for his decision. After all no one will give guarantees that your unit will work without breakdowns. And the participants of the forum certainly will not present any claims.

But what if such an arrangement is the only convenient option?

If the neighborhood cannot be avoided

When there is no choice, it is important to reduce the negative effects of warm air on the refrigerator.
The service technicians believe that this is quite possible. And they offer several available methods.

Advice! If the safety distance of 35 cm cannot be maintained, special protection is required.

• Foil - suitable material for creating a partition. As a base, you can use plywood, drywall and other products. Due to its reflective properties, it will "unfold" warm air, reducing the degree of heating of the surfaces of the device.
• Radiator or heating pipes can be separate from the refrigerator using modern thermal insulation materials (expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polyethylene, etc.).
• Provide such an arrangement so that the battery, which is close to the refrigerator, is protected by a partition and is located not behind, but on the side of the unit.

And of course it's worth consider alternative options for the location of the refrigerator. As they say, not a single kitchen! A pantry, an entrance hall, an insulated loggia may well be suitable for this option.