Do outdated freezers still need to be used?

Outdated freezers are not recommended to continue to be used, as they pose a greater safety hazard. When you walk into the homes of residents in old neighborhoods, you can often see that some freezers have been with their owners for more than ten years or even longer, but they are still responsible for the storage of household ingredients. Under the traditional concept of "thrift", the idea of "if it can be used, it will not be replaced" is deeply ingrained, but can these overdue freezers really be used with peace of mind?

First, the hidden dangers of "sick operation" of over-age freezers

Home appliances have a design life, and the safe service life of a freezer is usually 10-15 years. After this period, the equipment will enter the "aging period": the compressor efficiency decreases, resulting in weakened cooling capacity, the aging of the sealing strip causes air-conditioning leakage, and the brittleness of the line insulation layer increases the risk of short circuit. According to statistics, the power consumption of a freezer that has been used for more than 10 years can reach twice that of a new machine, and the annual electricity expenditure exceeds 100 yuan.

More alarming are safety hazards. Aging compressor junction boxes can cause fires due to high temperatures, and refrigerant leaks can pollute the environment and endanger health. In a community in Beijing, a kitchen fire caused by a short circuit in an old freezer was caused. Firefighters later pointed out that overdue electrical appliances were an important incentive.

The "hidden cost" of performance degradation

In addition to safety risks, the "quality of work" of over-aged freezers is also greatly reduced. Experiments by a home appliance testing agency show that the temperature fluctuation of the freezer compartment can reach ± 5 ° C after 12 years of use, far exceeding the standard of ± 2 ° C of the new machine, which directly affects the preservation effect of ingredients. A supermarket operator found that the moisture attrition rate of meat stored in the old freezer after thawing is 30% higher than that of the new machine, resulting in a decline in the quality of ingredients.

Hygiene issues cannot be ignored either. Long-term use of freezers is prone to mold breeding inside, and dirt is hidden in the gaps of the sealing strips. Even if it is cleaned regularly, dust accumulation in the evaporator and condenser will still affect the heat dissipation efficiency. Some housewives reported that the food in the old freezer often has a smell phenomenon, which is actually a manifestation of the deterioration of the sterilization and preservation function.

III. The value tradeoff between exchange and non-exchange

Faced with the problem of whether to keep the old freezer, consumers are often caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, replacing a medium-priced freezer requires more than 1,000 yuan, which is a small expense for the elderly group; on the other hand, continued use may face the problem of increasing maintenance costs. Data show that the average annual maintenance cost of over-aged appliances is 3-5 times that of new machines, and the frequency of failure increases exponentially with the service life.

It is worth noting that after the implementation of the new national standard, the energy efficiency ratio of freezers listed in 2023 will generally increase by 40%, and some models are equipped with new functions such as intelligent temperature control and antibacterial preservation. Taking the 200-liter freezer as an example, the daily power consumption of the new machine can be as low as 0.3 degrees, and the annual power saving of the older model exceeds 400 degrees. The electricity savings in 5 years can cover the purchase cost.

IV. Practical advice for scientific decision-making

Periodic physical examination: Ask a professional to check the circuit, refrigerant and compressor every year, focusing on whether there is any abnormal noise, refrigeration delay and leakage.

Strengthen maintenance: clean the condenser dust every month, disinfect the inner wall every quarter, and replace the sealing strip in time if it is found to be aging.

Economic calculation: Use the "average annual cost method" to compare old and new equipment: (new freezer price + average annual electricity bill) VS (old freezer maintenance fee + average annual electricity bill), if the difference exceeds 20%, it is recommended to replace it.

Trade-in: Pay attention to the trade-in policy of home appliance companies and the government. Some brands can be exchanged for 300-500 yuan and enjoy free recycling services.

The retention of the freezer is essentially a balance of safety, economy and emotion. For old freezers that can still function normally, the service life can be extended by 2-3 years through scientific maintenance; if there are frequent failures or sharp increases in energy consumption, timely replacement is a wise choice.

Under the concept of low-carbon life, allowing old home appliances to "retire successfully" is not only responsible for family safety, but also a rational use of social resources. After all, the real thrift lies in making the best use of things, rather than letting old equipment "work with illness".