Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:
How does the energy save switch work?
My landlords recently purchased a used refrigerator for my apartment. A white -Westinghouse #RT193MCW2 It has no owners manual. Inside, near the temperature control is a switch.
Above the switch, it is labeled "energy saver". On the left side of the switch, it is labeled "use damp exterior", and on the right side of the switch it is labeled "normal". If you can explain the difference between the two, I would highly appreciate it. Thank you,
The switch you talk about turns on a heater underneath the metal piece between the freezer and refrigerator compartment called the strike plate. This heater is called the mullion heater. It’s there to prevent moisture from forming on the strike plate in humid weather. When your switch is in the "normal" position the heater is turned off.
As well as an electric heater many refrigerators are equipped with a door post loop. This is a high side (hot) refrigeration line that is run up inside the cabinet between the two walls around the doors just underneath the contact area of the door gaskets. Its purpose is the same but you don’t have any control over it.
The energy saver switch controls whether or not the mullion heater is on. For if it isn't humid out there is no use having it on because the compressor has to work against the extra thermal load of the heater. Turning it off saves energy but as soon as you see moisture forming turn it back on. Moisture can cause rust and gasket deterioration.
It all will depend on where you live, too. I live in a relatively dry climate in Saskatchewan Canada, so we only need ours on for 3 to 4 days a year. But if you lived in Florida or South Carolina you may need it on almost all the time.
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