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How to Install a Fridge
Everything you need to know to install your new fridge yourself!
If you’re intent on installing your refrigerator yourself, it’s important to know how to do so safely. Here we’re going to lay out the process simply, so that hopefully you don’t make any mistakes along the way!
Knowing how to install a fridge yourself can save you some money. However, before we go any further, please be aware that a fridge is a very heavy appliance. It’s important that you have someone with you at all times when moving it, and that you take special care.
Never attempt to move a fridge yourself if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have health conditions that make lifting difficult
- Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Are taking medications that can cause dizziness or drowsiness
What To Consider Before Buying a Fridge
How Much Ventilation Space Does a Fridge Need?
Your fridge will need space around it to allow for ventilation. We recommend aiming for 5cm at the back, and 3cm around the sides and the top.
It can often be useful to leave a little extra room too. This will save you money if you ever decide to replace it with a bigger unit. If you can’t stand the look of a larger gap, create a housing unit with wood or material that can be trimmed back without conflicting with drawers or cabinets.
Will Your Chosen Fridge Fit Through Your Door?
Fridges come in lots of different sizes! And so it’s possible that not all of them will fit through your door. If you can’t get it through your door, you won’t be able to get it into your kitchen! Always check (and double check) the width of your chosen appliance. Try and allow for extra room to take the packaging into consideration.
Sometimes the doors of your refrigerator can be removed to help get it into a room. Check the model to see if it has removable doors if you think this may be necessary. Otherwise, the delivery and installation may not be possible!
If you can remove the doors, remember to check the instruction manual for how to do so. Oftentimes there’s a particular order that you need to follow.
What Floor Level Do You Require Delivery To?
It is important to consider the floor that you need your appliance delivered to. Many delivery companies will be unable to deliver a large appliance to an above ground level floor due to health and safety risks.
Unsure about your delivery requirements?
Contact us on 0115 965 1937, or email [email protected]
Installing a Refrigerator
When installing a fridge, there are certain stages and steps that you need to go through. There may be some considerations that you haven’t thought of that could make things easier! Here’s our guide to installing your refrigerator.
1. Check Your Space
Double check the space your refrigerator is going into. You need to allow for enough room in all dimensions, including depth. Make sure you’ve also got enough allowance for the recommended ventilation space. Finally, check your cables are in order and ready to be attached.
2. Open Packaging Outside
Your fridge will come in a large cardboard box. It’s easier to unpack it outside where you have more space. Remove the packaging and set them aside.
Then you’ll need to remove any loose components from the fridge like the shelves. Put these to one side and ensure they don’t take any damage. We recommend placing them on a soft surface, such as carpet or on a bed. Removing these will make it easier to move by reducing its weight.
3. Plan Your Route
Make sure you’ve planned out your moving route. You need to know where you’re going to be taking it. Have you measured the fridge? Is it going to fit through your doorways?
People often focus so much on measuring the space it’s going, they forget to measure the route it’s going to take to get there!
If your new fridge is a bit too big for the doorway, then you may need to remove the doors, if possible.
The best way to move your fridge is with a dolly. We really do not recommend moving the fridge by hand. It doesn’t matter how strong you may be, or how many people you have to hand. A dolly will always be a much safer and efficient way to move a fridge.
This is also because the fridge should never be put on its side. This may disturb the cooling gases inside it. So if you’re trying to lift and carry the fridge by hand, you’re risking serious injury to yourself and damage to your appliance.
If your fridge needs to be carried upstairs, try to keep it upright at all times and move it carefully to avoid any bumps. We would still recommend having it on a dolly going up stairs.
4. Attach Power & Water Supply
Not all fridges will need a water supply, but they’ll all need a power supply. Plug in the power supply using the cable attached. Be sure it won’t get caught when you slide the refrigerator back into place.
If you have a fridge that needs a water supply, there’s a few more steps that need to be taken. There should be instructions on how to do this in the manual provided.
Every fridge is different, and so the steps may be slightly different depending on the model you have. However, here are the basic steps for connecting your refrigerator to a water supply:
- Locate the water supply line: Find a nearby cold water pipe or use a water line kit.
- Turn off water and power: Shut off the water supply and unplug the fridge.
- Install water valve: Connect a water valve to the water supply line, usually using a tee valve.
- Connect water line: Attach a water line to the valve and route it to the back of the fridge.
- Connect to fridge: Attach the water line to the fridge’s water inlet valve.
- Turn on water and power: Turn on the water supply, check for leaks, and plug in the fridge.
- Dispense water: Run water through the dispenser until it’s clear to remove any air or debris.
5. Slide Fridge into Place
Slowly and carefully move your fridge into place. Take this opportunity to level your fridge so it’s flat and nothing will roll out when it’s open. Put all your shelves and any other components you removed back in and leave your fridge for a couple of hours to let the cooling gases settle.
Turn it on, give it a few more hours to cool down and there you have it!
Installing your fridge can be very physically demanding. If you have any doubts, we would recommend using professional help.
If you’re buying a new fridge, take the time to learn how to recycle your old one, or let us do it for you! Find more information on our recycling service here.
FAQs
Most fridges don’t require any plumbing work at all. However, fridges with advanced features like ice makers and water dispensers will. If you’re not confident that you can do this yourself, we would recommend paying for an installation service, or hiring a plumber.
Yes, you should always transport a fridge upright. Your fridge contains oil within the compressor. When not upright, this oil could spill into the cooling lines and cause damage.
No. You need to wait a while before plugging in your fridge to allow the cooling gases to settle. If you don’t allow for this time, your fridge may become blocked or damaged. Ideally, you should wait for about 4 hours.
How long it takes for a fridge to cool to the recommended temperature will depend on the size and model. This could take anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours. We recommend checking your manual for a more accurate timeframe.
Head to our Refrigeration section for all our fridges, freezers and fridge freezers. We also have a range of stylish wine coolers too. With free delivery in the UK and competitive prices, save money when you buy online today!
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