The first thing many people do in a power outage is find flashlights and candles to illuminate the dark house. Another consequence of a power outage is that refrigerators and freezers also stop working. As food warms up over time, it will spoil, leading to wasted food and lost money. What can you do to mitigate the loss of perishables during a power outage?
Your local professionals at Mr. Electric have some suggestions that can help reduce the loss due to a power outage and ways to protect your home and electrical devices for damage in the future.
Related Topic: How to Prevent Power Surges from Damaging Electronics
How Long Will a Fridge Stay Cold Without Power?
Although power outages happen in the blink of an eye, refrigerated food will not instantly go to room temperature. In fact, depending on the refrigerator model and a few other factors, your refrigerator can keep its cool for about four hours, while a freezer could stay cold for up to 48 hours.
Here are some tips to keep your refrigerator and freezer temperatures safe for food storage during a power outage:
- Keep the door closed as much as possible to keep cold air inside the refrigerator.
- Always keep freezer packs ready to keep food cold when the power goes out.
- Use a surge protector to avoid your refrigerator being permanently damaged, preventing it from cooling again once power returns.
How Long Will Food Last Without Power?
A general food safety rule is to keep perishable foods below 41°F. When products become warmer than that, they grow bacteria that can lead to illness after the food is consumed. How long it takes for your refrigerator to reach that temperature will depend on the model, how long the door is open, and other factors.
The longer the refrigerator is without power, the more likely it becomes that you will have to throw out food. During a power outage, put a thermometer inside your refrigerator to monitor the temperature. Once the temperature approaches the threshold, it’s best to do one of three things:
- Move food to coolers with ice.
- Consume it.
- Throw it away.
What Size Generator to Power a Refrigerator?
If you are in an area that suffers from routine power outages, you might consider getting a whole house backup generator installed. However, generators aren’t a one size fits all solution. To figure out what size generator you’ll need, add up the wattage of all the devices, lights, and appliances you plan to run with generator power.
How Much Power Does a Refrigerator Use?
Generators are rated by wattage. A medium sized refrigerator wattage ranges between 360 and 600 watts at 120 volts. While a large refrigerator would use 6.8 amps at 120 volts or 750 watts.
When an average refrigerator starts up it can use up to 13.2 amps for a moment before the compressor gets up to speed. Therefore, the generator must be sized properly to handle the inrush current. If the generator can’t handle the inrush current, the appliance will be damaged due to incorrect voltages being supplied by the struggling generator. So, the minimum sized generator for a medium refrigerator is 2000 watts, 3000 watts for a large refrigerator. In the case of generators, size does matter, and the bigger the better!
Keep Your Food and Family Safe
Taking the proper steps before, during, and after a power outage can help keep you, your family, and your food supply safe. If you want to learn more about how a whole-home backup generator can protect you and your home, contact your local Mr. Electric. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mr. Electric is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Mr. Electric location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
FAQs About How Long a Fridge Will Stay Cold Without Power
The safety of your business, customers, and staff are the top priority of every Mr. Electric service professional. Our safety-first commitment to solving your electrical issues includes a meticulous attention to detail on every job. Our commitment also includes using our years of experience to answer your questions. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how long a fridge will stay cold without power.
What’s the best way to protect my refrigerator during a power outage?
The most effective way to keep your refrigerator running during an outage is by installing a standby generator. A standalone generator helps ensure continuous power and can prevent food spoilage, even during extended outages.
What type of generator is best for powering a refrigerator?
A standby generator is ideal for powering always-on appliances like refrigerators. When used in conjunction with an automatic transfer switch, a standby generator will activate during an outage to prevent a power interruption and greatly enhance how long a refrigerator will stay cold, even during an extended outage. While a portable generator can keep your refrigerator running during an outage, it requires manual activation and connection, which won’t help if an outage occurs while you’re not home.
Can dry ice help preserve food in my fridge during an outage?
Yes. Placing dry ice in your refrigerator or freezer can help maintain cold temperatures during a power outage. However, it must be handled carefully and used in well-ventilated areas. For a more dependable solution, ask a licensed electrician about installing a backup generator to keep your fridge powered through any outage.
Do surge protectors help protect refrigerators during outages?
While surge protectors can help preserve advanced electronics (such as smart fridge components) in the event of a power surge, they can’t keep your refrigerator cold during a power outage. However, some manufacturers, such as GE, don’t recommend using a surge protector with their refrigerators. Consult your manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure your refrigerator is compatible with a surge protector.
What electrical upgrades can help during future outages?
Adding a standby generator, dedicated circuits, or surge protection are great ways to stay safe and keep your appliances running. For the best protection based on your home and power needs, consult an electrical professional.
Why does my fridge trip the circuit breaker after a power outage?
Sudden power surges or faulty wiring can cause your refrigerator to trip a breaker when power returns. This may indicate the need for electrical panel upgrades or dedicated circuits. A licensed electrician can diagnose and resolve the issue to prevent further trips.
Can I prepare my fridge and freezer in advance of a storm-related outage?
Yes. Before a potential outage, set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings, freeze containers of water to help maintain low temperatures, and organize contents for quick access. If time permits, procure a standby or portable generator to ensure you have power in the event of a prolonged outage.
How can I tell if my refrigerator stayed safe during a power outage?
Check the internal temperature of the fridge—if it’s 40°F or below, your food is likely safe. A fridge thermometer or appliance monitor can help you confirm. Throw away any refrigerated perishable items (like meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers) that have been stored at temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or longer.
