Are You Planning to Buy a Refrigerator to Keep in Your Garage? These 5 Tips Can Help

The ideal place to install your new refrigerator is a on dry, flat, and cool floor. If you put it in a cool place then it will spend less to run. That said, if you are putting it somewhere that is not temperature regulated, make sure that the product specifications from the manufacturer don’t warn against your ideal placement. You should also keep it away from windows but make sure that the top and back get enough circulation to prevent it from overheating.

The main issue that you will have placing a fridge in the garage is the fact that it may be subject to more extreme temperatures than the fridge in your home. This is not the case for most residents in Southern California but be aware that if you live somewhere with extreme heat or cold, it can damage the fridge.

If you’re planning to use an older fridge in your garage, we recommend getting a refrigerator check up before putting it there. If your fridge’s thermostat or compressor is in need of repair, it could malfunction before you know it. Most homeowners are in their garage fridge much less frequently than their kitchen fridge and therefore may not realize it has stopped working until they’ve lost hundreds of dollars in spoiled food.

Your needs for choosing a fridge for the garage may not be the same as your needs when looking for a fridge for your kitchen. Think about which area the freezer opens, how much room there is organize, and what you plan to store in your refrigerator. If you plan to stock it full of in-season produce, your needs will be vastly different than if you intend to fill it with local beer.

Running an extra fridge can cost a lot of money in added utilities but it doesn’t have to. Stick with Energy Star if you can. Make sure you are keeping it at the right temperature – neither lower than you need nor too high to be safe. Remember that the fuller it is, the less work it is to keep it cool.