Refrigerator works, but does it still need repair?

Q: My husband and I were having a serious discussion about our refrigerator, with differing points of view of course, and we're hoping you can provide some clarity and agreement. When the fridge motor shuts off, it makes a loud clunking noise, and this has gotten progressively louder over the years. I think we should have a repairman take a look at it, but my husband says it works fine and we don't need to worry about it. Who is right?

A: Clarity is often easier to achieve than agreement, but let's give it a shot. The clunking noise emanating from your refrigerator may or may not indicate a fatal problem. Apparently, the unit is getting older and is probably nearing the end of its serviceable life. Nevertheless, there are four possible ways for this situation to play out:

1.) You can call an appliance technician and be told the unit is OK.

2.) You can call an appliance technician and be told the unit needs repair or replacement.

3.) You can forego an appliance technician and have the unit continue to function.

4.) You can forego an appliance technician and then have the unit break down.

Options No. 2 and No. 4 will enable you to say "I told you so."

Options No. 1 and No. 3 will enable your husband to say "I told you so."

For now, it's a tossup as to who is right. But consider this: The energy efficiency of new refrigerators is vastly improved over the old technology. Therefore, the savings in electrical consumption could pay the cost of a new fridge in a few short years.

Consider also that many appliance dealers offer a full year of interest-free financing. Pencil out the numbers and you may have the basis for mutual agreement.

Q: I recently purchased a home and am having problems with the electrical outlet in the laundry room. The clothes dryer keeps popping the GFCI breaker, and this was never mentioned by our home inspector. What could be causing this, and what is the solution?

A: Before addressing the GFCI problem at your laundry, a little background information is needed.

GFCI outlets (ground fault circuit interrupters) are required in locations where people using electrical devices might be exposed to water. Commonly, we find them in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, exterior locations, at sinks and near pools and spas. Most people have seen GFCI outlets (the ones with the test and reset buttons between the plug-in receptacles), but many are not aware of their purpose. In the event that someone receives an electric shock while using a GFCI-protected device, the GFCI senses the imbalance in current flow and immediately disconnects the circuit. In other words, GFCI's prevent accidental electrocution.

Outlets for laundry appliances are exempt from GFCI requirements because electric motors can cause needless tripping of GFCI outlets. This may be what is occurring when you operate your clothes dryer. Have this checked by a licensed electrician. The simplest solution is to replace the outlet with a standard non-GFCI fixture.

Your home inspector may have omitted disclosure of the tripping GFCI because inspectors do not test laundry appliances. However, he could have noted that a GFCI in that location might be problematic.

• Write to Barry Stone at www.housedetective.com.

© 2022, Action Coast Publishing