A mini-fridge can sit anywhere in your house, given its portable nature. You can place it on any flooring which is resistant to water damage.
Whether it’s in your house or office apartment, a mini fridge is important. The challenge is where to place the mini fridge. That is if your entire floors have carpet.
Can a mini-fridge sit on a carpet? You cannot sit a mini fridge on a carpet. It may lead to damage to your mini-fridge and your carpet. Carpets keep the heat emitted by the mini fridge. This prevents free airflow to the mini fridge. In the case of leakage, the defrosting water spills onto the carpet resulting in damage.
According to Alison P., a technician/editor at P.C Richard & Son, never place a mini-fridge on a carpet.
Carpets block airflow from the cooling system of the mini fridge, the fan, and the compressor. The mini fridge overheats due to the limited capacity to lose heat. A breakdown follows.
2 Main Reason Why Putting A Mini Fridge On Carpet Is A Bad Idea
Placing your mini fridge on a carpet has many negative consequences. There are two major reasons why you shouldn’t put a mini fridge on a carpeted floor;
- Placing A Mini Fridge On Carpet Is Damaging To Your Carpet
Carpets are sensitive to moisture and unpleasant odor. Placing a mini fridge on a carpet exposes your carpet to leakages.
When the power is off, or your mini fridge is malfunctioning, defrosting occurs. Water leaks from the mini fridge to your carpet.
Moisture build-up on a carpeted floor leads to the growth of molds and nasty odors. Health issues associated with mold include;
- Skin irritation
- Throat irritation
- Eye irritation
- Stuffy Nose
- Headache
- Coughing
- Food Poisoning
The other damage to your carpet is fading. The heat from the mini fridge has a fading effect on your carpet. You may have to buy a new carpet when moving out.
2. Letting Your Mini Fridge Sit On Carpet Can Damage The Mini-Fridge
A mini fridge requires the free flow of air to remain cool. The carpet blocks airflow to the condenser located at the bottom of the mini fridge.
The condenser takes the hot air from the mini fridge to the external environment. With a carpet installed beneath, the heat gets trapped in the carpet.
In return, your condenser works extra hard to keep your mini fridge cool. The results are high electricity bills, or the condenser will burn.
Restricted airflow to the condenser can also cause leakage. The water drops on your carpet, causing a build-up of mold and mildew, as mentioned earlier.
How Can I Put A Refrigerator In A Carpeted Room?
If your home or office space has a carpet from end to end, you have no option but to make things work.
There are things you need to be aware of when considering placing a mini fridge in a carpeted space. They include;
Avoid Placing Your Mini Fridge Near A Heat Source
No matter how limited your space is, do not place your mini fridge near a heat source. According to Electrical Safety First, cookers, radiators, direct sunlight are heat sources.
They may cause damage to the mini-fridge.
The heat is not only retained on the carpet but in the room. The result is that the compressor of your mini-fridge overworks to cool the fridge.
The compressor will overheat and break down. It is, hence, best to place your mini fridge in a cool space. It allows your compressor to function as required.
Avoid Blocking The Ventilation Of Your Mini Fridge
Most mini fridges have their compressors at the bottom. Avoid placing your mini fridge on the floor, carpeted or not. This will prevent free airflow.
Ensure that the ventilation of your mini fridge is open. Do this by placing suitable materials and objects underneath. Keep reading this article to find out what to put under a mini fridge on a carpeted floor.
4 Things To Do If You Must Put Your Mini Fridge On A Carpet
There are a few alternatives to placing a mini fridge in carpet flooring. They will help in ensuring safety for your space, your carpet, and your fridge. They include;
1. Place Something Underneath Your Mini Fridge In A Carpeted Room
Consider placing wooden boards, plastic mats, linoleum, or vinyl underneath your mini fridge. Place the base between the carpet and mini-fridge to allow free airflow.
The base will help to keep water away from your carpet. A good base saves you the cost of repairs and unnecessary electricity bills.
2. Always Close You Mini Fridge If Placed On Carpet
Your carpet may act as a barrier preventing the door of your mini fridge from closing properly. You may often feel your door drag along the carpet.
Ensure there is enough space between the floor and your mini fridge. It allows your door to swing open and close with ease.
Remember, your mini fridge will consume a lot of energy if you do not close the door. You will have high electricity bills to pay as a result.
3. Keep The Coils Beneath Your Mini Fridge Cool If It’s Sitting On Carpet
If your mini fridge’s coils are at the bottom, never place them directly on the carpet. The coils could warm up and damage your carpet.
On rare occasions, the coils could catch fire, putting your space at the risk of burning. Maintain a good space between your mini-fridge and carpet. Place a stand underneath if you have to.
You could also buy a mini fridge which has the coils at the rear instead of the bottom. You will have reduced the risk of damage.
4. Check For Leaks From Your Mini Fridge Before Placing It On Carpet
Before placing your mini fridge on the carpet, check for possible leaks from the door or the bottom.
Run your hand around the fridge to test for leaks. Fix any leaks identified and place something below your mini fridge.
Defrosting your mini fridge could cause leaks. Ensure that you defrost your mini fridge completely to avoid leaks.
Keep checking the water container at the back of your mini fridge. Empty the container to avoid the water leaking on your carpet.
What Can I Put Under My Mini Fridge On Carpet?
Always place something beneath your mini fridge if you have a carpet on your floor. Use any material that allows free airflow beneath your mini-fridge for effective functioning.
Spill Tray
Spill trays help to protect your carpet from leakage. They also prevent condensation build-up from your mini fridge.
Get a spill tray with thick walls to withstand the weight of the mini fridge. The tray holds the leaking liquids preventing them from soaking into the carpet.
The spill tray has a deep height. This allows air to flow freely through the compressor beneath the mini fridge.
Empty your mini fridge before lifting it from the spill tray filled. Pour out the water and dry out the spill tray before placing it back.
Protective Plastic Mats/Vinyl Sheets
Use a plastic mat under the refrigerator mat to protect spills on your carpet. The plastic mat will provide a flat platform on which your mini fridge can sit.
Vinyl is heat resistant; hence it will prevent the compressor from overheating. The vinyl sheets will keep your carpet safe from heat damage produced by the mini fridge. When thinking of a reliable choice, the company RESILIA comes to mind. Offering fantastic carpet coverage for any size of your mini fridge, without sacrificing any heat or wear and tear protection. Click here for more information on Amazon!
The disadvantage with the plastic mat is the water or liquids may flow to the carpet. Always check the area around the mat for any liquids.
Fabric mat with PVC Film At The Base
The best mat to use is one with an absorbent surface and a waterproof film at the base. The mat absorbs all the liquid spills from the mini fridge.
The PVC film underneath the film acts as a barrier. It does so by preventing the liquid spills from soaking the carpet.
Can A Mini Fridge Sit On Cardboard?
It is not advisable to let your mini fridge sit on plain cardboard. Cardboards will cause more harm than good to your mini fridge.
3 Reasons Why You Should Never Place A Mini Fridge On Cardboard
Cardboards Restrict Airflow Beneath Your Mini Fridge
Cardboards block air from flowing in and out of the condenser of the mini fridge. Cardboards trap heat hence causing the condenser to overwork.
As mentioned earlier, overworking the condenser leads to high energy consumption. Your mini fridge may, in the long run, fail to function due to a damaged condenser.
Cardboards Retain Moisture From A Leaking Mini Fridge
Cardboard absorbs leaking liquids and allows the liquids to penetrate to the carpet. The carpet beneath gets damp developing mold, mildew, and bad odor.
Placing a mini-fridge on damp cardboard for a long time may cause rust on your mini-fridge. The moisture penetrates through the coils into the condenser.
Cardboard Are A Fire Hazard When Place Beneath A Mini Fridge
Some mini fridges have their coils fitted at the bottom. The condenser produces heat that will build upon the cardboard. The trapped heat damages the cardboard and the carpet beneath.
An Analysis of the Most Common Places to Install a Mini-Fridge:
| WHERE CAN YOU INSTALL A MINI FRIDGE | PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL RESULTS |
| Many truckers install a mini-fridge by connecting it to an inverter | 25% |
| You can install a mini-fridge under a counter in a kitchen, vent fan is necessary according to many comments | 18.75% |
| Install a mini-fridge In a camper that does not have electricity connected by powering it through the use of a generator | 37.5% |
| Some people install a mini-fridge in a pantry, not a good plan since it will cause heat to build-up | 12.5% |
| Installing a mini-fridge between cabinets | 6.25% |
Can You Put A Mini-Fridge In A Dresser?
It is safe to put a mini fridge in a dresser if there is enough ventilation. Ensure that there is nothing flammable around the dresser.
Installing a mini fridge in a dresser will need some adjustments on the dresser. Remove the wall and floor of the dresser. Place 2 planks of hardwood at the bottom of the dresser for support.
If the condenser of your mini-fridge is at the back, you can only remove the back walls of the dresser. It makes it easy to plug in the mini fridge to the power source.
Removing the walls or the floor of the dresser allows free airflow. This prevents the mini-fridge from overheating.
Refrigerator On Carpet Fire Hazard
Carpets naturally retain heat and doubly so the constant heat produced by refrigerators and mini-fridges through the condenser coils. The heat prevents smooth airflow into the condenser, causing it to overheat.
Prolonged periods of overheating on the condenser may lead to a fire break out in your space. The carpet acts as a fire propeller leading to grave damage. Fire hazards as a result of placing a mini-fridge are a rare occasion.
This video below explains the importance clearance is to your refrigerator no matter the size.
Is It Safe To Have A Mini Fridge In Your Room?
You can install a mini-fridge in your room, provided you observe necessary precautions. You only have to worry about the noise emitted by the mini-fridge. It may interrupt your sleep.
Having a mini-fridge in your room is a great way to store your drinks and late-night snacks. Ensure that your room is well ventilated to prevent the build-up of Freon.
For those interested in a great choice in refrigerators take a look at the company BANGSON, not only does it offer a much quieter operating noise but also boasts 3 levels of space and an extra freezer area. Check out its listing here.
Freon has very low levels of toxicity, but poor ventilation may harm your health.
Signs Of Gas Leak/ Freon Leak From Mini Fridge In Your Room
- Chemical smell in the air
- Presence of liquid at the bottom of the mini-fridge
- A non-stop motor
According to Carey E, a medical editor at Healthline, Freon leaks cause refrigerant poisoning. It may cut off vital oxygen from your lungs and cells when inhaled in depth.
Ensure that the bottom of your mini fridge is also well ventilated. Keep checking your mini-fridge for any leaks. Carry out proper repair and maintenance regularly.
If you have a mini-fridge in your room, do not panic over the gas leak issue. It happens rarely. When it does, check for the above signs.
Final Thoughts
A mini fridge is a convenient appliance to own in your house or office apartment. Knowing where to place it, especially on carpet flooring, is the main challenge.
Related stuff for you is what are the dimensions of a mini fridge today.
What is the real cause of the mini fridge popping noise that never goes away.
In a basement setting, can you use an extension cord with a mini fridge that is old.
Save on electricity bills and minimize the risk of damaging your mini-fridge and your carpet.
