Should I turn my fridge / freezer off when apartment is not occupied ? - Page 4

Yes I learnt this the hard way!! 

They are designed to be left on, we just leave it on low and it has lasted a decade. Turning it off will destroy it. Bear in mind most of the cost of electricity is in fixed costs which we pay even if turned off

I am with the turn it off crowd.  It does not make sense to be using power when you are not there.

I have lost three fridge freezers and one chest freeze by leaving them on with stuff in.. All Spanish houses have a circuit breaker called an RCD that protects you from shock.  These little monsters have a habit of ripping when they feel like it for no reason. Lightning nearby will do it.. If you are here you simply reset it and carry on.  In the UK fridges and freezers are not wired through the RCD to prevent this problem.

If you are not here, your fridge or freezer will thaw out and everything inside will rot and stink the place out and ruin the inside of the appliance and the evil smelling liquid will leak out onto the floor and ruin that too.  You can't get the smell out of the plastic which is why you have to scrap them. .

I speak from lots of experience, so please empty the fridge, give it a good clean leave and it open and switched off.

Also switch off any stop taps OUTSIDE the property because the Spanish 'plumbers' ( I use that term loosely) tend to bury pipes in the walls.

If you use gas bottles put them somewhere safe..

Me to 🤣😂🤣😂😁 smelly , mouldy  yuk 🤨

Hi Alan,

      I can agree with you about the electricity savings maybe being small but I cannot agree that turning one off for a few weeks and then back on will destroy it. I have been switching fridge/freezers off in Spain and the UK for the past 5 years, the unit here in Spain is over 15 years old, the one in the UK is close to 17 year old, both are still running as well as ever. 

Aitch.

Sorry Jenny, I can't agree with you.  Having been caught by phantom tripping more than once before I learnt my lesson, it's just a matter of time before you get caught.. Turning it off will not cause a problem,  they are on and off all day anyway.

It can trip before you even get to the airport.

It looks like it depends on how long you are away

HI Jenny.   It's good that you have some one looking in, but it needs to be quite frequently as a freezer thaws out within 48 hrs.

You  have to bear in mind the the RCD can trip any time of the day or night.  It does not need an excuse.  I have rewired my place as per UK Standards so I will not have that problem again.  In my humble opinion Spanish electrics leave an awful lot to be desired, even in new builds. I could write a book on the disasters I have come across.

Not sure what your qualifications are but your comment “In the UK fridges and freezers are not wired through the RCD to prevent this problem.” is just not true. All sockets need to be protected with a RCD in the UK.

Yes, also switch off the electricity and turn off the water.