While there are a range of amazing refrigerators on the market that make shopping and choosing one much more exciting than in years past, even we here at Better Housekeeping Shop understand that it’s much better to buy a new fridge when you want to, as opposed to when you have to. But how do you know when you really need to get a new fridge? The following tell-tale problem signs may help you figure out if your fridge just needs to a little TLC or if it’s time to start thinking about a replacement.

1. There’s condensation (or frost!).
If your fridge is sweating, something’s likely not right. All refrigerators have to work to maintain the gentle balance between hot and chilly, but they shouldn’t be working so hard (or so little) that water droplets form on their exterior. The same goes for condensation inside the fridge as well as frost in the freezer or on the door’s exterior.

2. The motor’s constantly running — and you can hear it.
Your fridge’s motor shouldn’t always be running at max speed. That’s because, unless the door is being opened and closed often (which it shouldn’t be!) there’s just no need for it to constantly regulate and re-regulate temperatures. If your motor just keeps going and going, you should have a pro (us!) come out to take a look (and a listen).

3. It’s hot to the touch.
You’ll always feel some heat coming from the back of your fridge — that’s normal and means the ventilation system’s working. But because the coils should be insulated, an excessive amount of heat is unusual. Call us to see if the fridge just needs new coils or if there’s a bigger issue at hand.

4. Your food’s going bad much faster than it should.
A fridge has one job: to keep food cold. If your farmers market finds are spoiling faster than usual or you notice that it’s taking longer to chill a bottle of white wine, there’s a problem. Your fridge could be using a lot more energy than it should, which means you’re wasting energy and spending more than you need to on your electric bill. Sure, forking over the cash for a new fridge will be painful at first, but you’ll stop wasting money on spoiled food or a too-high electric bill.

5. It’s very old (and really inefficient).
It might seem wasteful, but if you’ve got an old fridge on your hands, you actually could save money by switching to a newer model. Yearly improvements to refrigerator efficiency mean your energy bills might get cut in half if you switch over to a newer, more efficient model. How old is too old? In fridge years, you might want to start looking for a new one if yours is between 10 and 20 years old.

Whether your refrigerator needs a repair or it’s time to look for a new one, Better Housekeeping Shop is your one-stop-shop. We have a service department with experts who can diagnose a problem and make needed repairs, as well as a knowledgeable sales team that can help you find the perfect new refrigerator for your kitchen. Give us a call at 732-741-4310 or stop into the store any time!