Investing in a refrigerator is by no means a mean feat. With these appliances costing thousands of dollars, you’ll want to get the most from them whenever you decide to get one for your home.
The Kenmore brand is one of the biggest names in refrigerator manufacturing out there. The company has carved a niche for itself by consistently producing refrigerators with outstanding features.
However, before you take the plunge and get one of their latest fridges, it is important to first assess whether they are durable or not.
On average, a Kenmore refrigerator will last you for a decade or two depending on how you use it. Generally, fridges that operate under minimal workload tend to last longer than ones that are normally overloaded. Put otherwise, how long or short your Kenmore fridge lasts is partly influenced by how you maintain it.
Just How Reliable Are Kenmore Refrigerators?
Kenmore fridges continue to attract mixed reviews as far as the question of durability is concerned. That is to say, some models tend to last really long with no issues while a few models tend to disappoint.
In general, Kenmore bottom freezer refrigerators tend to be problematic compared to top freezers from the same company.
How durable your machine is, depends on which company manufactured it. Yup, you read that right – there are different companies that produce fridges under that brand name. They include Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, and Frigidaire.
The bottom line is, that you get what you pay for. If you want the best possible experience out of a Kenmore refrigerator, consider going for a top-tier model. While it is perfectly understandable that fridges don’t come cheap, going for the cheapest model available might not always be a good idea if durability is what you’re after.
The Kenmore Elite refrigerator is, for instance, a perfect bet when durability and value are taken into consideration. When considering space, the Kenmore French door refrigerator can be a good pick. However, as adorable as it is, some users often fault it for having a noisy compressor and infrequent lighting issues.
If you have ever bought a French door fridge before chances are that you’re all too familiar with some of those issues already and might want to avoid taking that path again.
How Long Does a Kenmore Refrigerator Last on Average?
As we mentioned earlier, how long your Kenmore refrigerator lasts depends on how you use it. Highly intensive usage will have even the best-made Kenmore refrigerator last for 8 to 10 years.
In most cases, your fridge will not show any signs of wear in the first decade of use. However, in some rare cases, issues might be reported before the appliance even reaches five years of age.
Like with any other man-made device, nothing is fully guaranteed when it comes to fridges of any kind. Unfortunately, the warranty period provided at the time of purchase might not always be enough to protect you against these faults.
So, you want to get a high-quality refrigerator brand with an iron-clad warranty. On top of that, you want to make sure the fridge is well-used and carefully maintained so it lasts long.
Signs Your Refrigerator Is About to Die
So, how do you know your fridge is in its last days? Well, nothing lasts forever and so do fridges. As the fridge approaches its imminent death, chances are that it will start requiring professional repairs and fixes.
As time advances, you are likely to start spotting some clear signs some of which may include:
1. Food Getting Spoilt Prematurely
If you notice food going bad faster than usual despite having it stored in the fridge, chances are that the appliance is having old-age issues. The issues mostly arise from faults relating to a malfunctioning motor or faulty gaskets. In some cases, you may also notice the items stored in the fridge not getting as cold as they should be.
2. Getting Noisier Than Usual
Has your refrigerator gotten noisier than it used to be? A well-functioning fridge should not so much noise that it draws everybody’s attention. As such, if you notice the noise from another room with the door closed, it might be a good idea to call in a technician to check what the issue might be.
3. Refrigerator Getting Too Hot
It is perfectly normal for a refrigerator to get warm especially as it operates. However, if it becomes too hot, that can be an issue worth investigating. The issue might have something to do with the motor coil and you’re better off calling a qualified technician to attend to the problem. Don’t try to fix the issue yourself as making contact with the coils can be dangerous.
4. Excessive Condensation
Excessive moisture or droplets in your fridge’s door might be a sign that excess condensation is taking place in your refrigerator. This is usually one of the surest signs that your refrigerator is dying. A worn gasket or a ruptured seal around the fridge’s door might have something to do with it and it is always a good idea to call a maintenance specialist in for further assistance.
When To Replace Your Refrigerator
It is always a good idea to consider replacing your refrigerator when it stops making economic sense to own. When the amount of money you’re incurring to maintain it is just too high, it might be a good idea to get a replacement for it.
Another reason to replace it is when its performance plummets. If it is not cooling down the food as it used to or has been gobbling up more power than usual, just get a replacement.
Also, if the fridge keeps buzzing consistently and loudly to an extent that it is unbearable to put up with, any expert might advise you to get it replaced.
In a nutshell, the minute you notice the fridge developing consistent problems, no matter how much you love it, it is time for it to find a new home.