With the rising cost of electricity it seems like most every day people are returning to old ideas for saving themselves money. One of these old ideas is a propane fueled refrigerator. They work using the simple idea of gas absorption. The newest models typically last around 25 years before they will need a boiler rebuild.
Some of the chief advantages of using a gas fired refrigerator are better than simply saving money. Most propane refrigerators are great for keeping food cool when living off the grid, or in places that have little access to electrical power. They generally have no moving parts in the cooling system so they cannot wear out. They also require very little maintenance when compared to their electrical counterparts.
Generally the initial price of buying a propane fueled refrigerator is somewhat higher than a regular AC refrigerator, though this cost can be recouped in savings from food storage and general ease of use. Some new models have a tiny 12v fan which can be easily powered using a small scale solar array and battery. The gas line only requires a 3/8 or 1/4 line for the gas.
If you do choose to make the big green leap and buy one you may need to know how to switch out the cooling system if the boiler is ever rebuilt on it. This simple process can some times be modified to work on regular models for a DIY conversion. While this procedure is simple enough, it is a time consuming process and this is only a basic overview of this process. Always use extreme caution when working on a unit, the ammonia gas it uses can be quite fatal if inhaled.
Take your refrigerator out from where it is sitting and put it where you can work on it easily. Ensure the gas lines and any power lines to it are not connected. Remove the doors and take any items out including shelves or food and clean up inside with disinfectant.
Remove the aluminum freezer plate which lets you access all the piping inside. Remove all the screws holding the pipes so they are free. Put a blanket down and lay the fridge on its side to access the piping in the back. Remove the screws holding the capillary tubes, condensing coils and boiler assembly. Double check the fridge to make sure everything is now loose.
Once every thing is loosened up, get a pry bar to carefully pry the entire assembly free from the fridge. Use a cloth or rag to protect any copper you will be praying on. You may need to cut away some foam to get it free. Keep any screws or baffles you removed because you need them to the rebuilt unit back in.
Installation is basically the reverse of what you just did. Getting a boiler rebuild is often cheaper than a new unit. The key is making sure the cooling head is sealed in airtight. The freezer pipe also needs to be perpendicular to the back of the cooling unit. Remember these units contain ammonia in them so always practice safe handling practices so the lines are not punctured.
Some of the chief advantages of using a gas fired refrigerator are better than simply saving money. Most propane refrigerators are great for keeping food cool when living off the grid, or in places that have little access to electrical power. They generally have no moving parts in the cooling system so they cannot wear out. They also require very little maintenance when compared to their electrical counterparts.
Generally the initial price of buying a propane fueled refrigerator is somewhat higher than a regular AC refrigerator, though this cost can be recouped in savings from food storage and general ease of use. Some new models have a tiny 12v fan which can be easily powered using a small scale solar array and battery. The gas line only requires a 3/8 or 1/4 line for the gas.
If you do choose to make the big green leap and buy one you may need to know how to switch out the cooling system if the boiler is ever rebuilt on it. This simple process can some times be modified to work on regular models for a DIY conversion. While this procedure is simple enough, it is a time consuming process and this is only a basic overview of this process. Always use extreme caution when working on a unit, the ammonia gas it uses can be quite fatal if inhaled.
Take your refrigerator out from where it is sitting and put it where you can work on it easily. Ensure the gas lines and any power lines to it are not connected. Remove the doors and take any items out including shelves or food and clean up inside with disinfectant.
Remove the aluminum freezer plate which lets you access all the piping inside. Remove all the screws holding the pipes so they are free. Put a blanket down and lay the fridge on its side to access the piping in the back. Remove the screws holding the capillary tubes, condensing coils and boiler assembly. Double check the fridge to make sure everything is now loose.
Once every thing is loosened up, get a pry bar to carefully pry the entire assembly free from the fridge. Use a cloth or rag to protect any copper you will be praying on. You may need to cut away some foam to get it free. Keep any screws or baffles you removed because you need them to the rebuilt unit back in.
Installation is basically the reverse of what you just did. Getting a boiler rebuild is often cheaper than a new unit. The key is making sure the cooling head is sealed in airtight. The freezer pipe also needs to be perpendicular to the back of the cooling unit. Remember these units contain ammonia in them so always practice safe handling practices so the lines are not punctured.
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