One of the most common questions a lot of people ask when purchasing a french door fridge is how long do French door refrigerators last?
It’s also one of the more technical answers because it depends on several factors, including usage, maintenance, and environmental conditions.
French door refrigerators are one of the hottest refrigerator models. If you are considering buying this product, there is a chance you are wondering about how long they last?
The average french door refrigerator lasts for about 13 years. If your french door fridge is over ten years old, you should consider replacing it. Even if your fridge seems to be working fine, a new one will save you energy and likely pay itself off in power savings within the first four years.
What Is The Average Life Of A French Door Refrigerator?
The average lifespan of a French door refrigerator is between 10 and 15 years.
Many factors can affect the life of your refrigerator, including how well you maintain it, how often you use it, and what types of food you store in it.
Regardless of the style or brand, any refrigerator will last longer with the proper upkeep and consistent care.
It also depends on the size and model; some french door refrigerators have an average life of 14-17 years.
Do French Door Fridges Have More Issues?
One of the downsides of having a French door refrigerator is that it is prone to more damage than other refrigerators.
French door refrigerators can also be larger than the space cleared out for them in some homes.
However, French door fridges are also huge, which doesn’t favor small kitchens as they can get swallowed up by French door refrigerators.
They are also not energy-efficient, so they use up a lot of energy.
The average repair for a side-by-side unit is 26 percent less costly than the average repair for a french door refrigerator.
Failures include the fridge making a lot of noise, the bottom freezer not getting cold enough, and malfunctioning of the Icemaker.
The majority of the issues that arise are associated with the internal parts of your refrigerator. The main components to be aware of are:
- Condenser coils
- Evaporator coils
- Thermostat
- Fan motor
- Compressor
- Seal the door, and hinges on the door, which can cause leakage.
- A gasket is a piece you may have to replace more often than other appliances, and most people will have replaced this at least twice in their lifetime. So if you notice it’s not working correctly or isn’t sealing correctly, it’s time to get a new one!
French door refrigerators also have ice maker problems as a common failure for refrigerators. This problem makes the fridge more prone to damage than refrigerators without it.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A French Door Refrigerator?
You can expect your French door refrigerator to last for a minimum of ten years, but in all likelihood, you’ll be able to use it much longer than that.
However, there are some disadvantages you should consider before investing in a French door refrigerator, including:
#1. Cost
A higher price tag is one of the main downsides of owning a French door refrigerator.
#2. Space
Due to their size, they take up more room in your kitchen and may require additional space between the wall and the unit.
#3. Cleaning and Organization Problems
The interior of these units is challenging to keep clean because of the design. You also have to organize food properly to not shift during opening or closing the doors or drawers.
#4. Delivery Disadvantages
It’s much more difficult to transport this type of refrigerator through narrow spaces like hallways and doorways than a top freezer refrigerator or side-by-side model since the two doors are so vast apart.
For example, if you’re moving into an apartment building, it may be impossible for movers to get your unit inside without damaging it or your home.
Which French Door Refrigerator Is Most Reliable?
The most reliable French door refrigerators may not be the most expensive, but they’re certainly not cheap.
So if you’re looking for the most reliable French door refrigerator, look at this small list of brands whose models are generally excellent buys:
- Sub-Zero refrigerators
- Viking Professional Series refrigerators
- Thermador built-in refrigeration
While those are excellent brands, the table below shows the best french door refrigerators in 2022.
| COMPANY | RATING (5) | CAPACITY (CUBIC FEET) |
| Samsung French Door – RF260BEAESR/AA | 4.1 | 17.5 |
| Samsung French Door – RF28R7351SG/AA | 3.9 | 15.7 |
| GE French Door – GNE25JMKES | 3.9 | 17.44 |
| LG Smart French Door – LFXS26973S | 3.8 | 17.40 |
What Are The Signs That My Refrigerator Is Dying?
There’s no single age when your french door fridges or top freezer refrigerator will automatically stop working.
You can expect a refrigerator to last somewhere between 12 and 20 years, but there are many things you can do to extend its life.
However, if you realize that something might be going awry before it’s too late, seek professional help. Here are some of the signs that you should replace your fridge:
#1. Excessive Noise
A slight humming is normal, but it may need servicing if your fridge sounds like an airplane taking off or landing.
#2. The Refrigerator Is Silent
On the other hand, if your French door fridge is silent, it indicates that your motor is not functioning correctly, and you might want to get that fixed by a professional.
#3. Overheating
If the outside of your fridge feels hot and you notice that the compressor is running more often than usual (or for more extended periods), something could be wrong with its cooling system, causing it to work harder than necessary.
Additionally, excess heat might be a sign that the motor is overheating, and a replacement of that motor would be the best option, but it might be expensive.
If your refrigerator has been in use for over ten years, getting a new one should be the way.
#4. Door Not Sealing
Check around the edges of the door seal by shutting it on a dollar bill or piece of paper and pulling it out slowly.
If anything comes out with it, then warm air is getting in, and cold air is getting out—which means less effective cooling and higher energy bills.
Eventually, this also increases the humidity in the refrigerator. Finally, check that the fridge is level, as an unlevel fridge can be responsible for the improper closing of the doors.
This problem could have been caused by either poor fridge installation or by the unlevel floor.
Ensure that the fridge is well installed and the bottom is level to ensure that your doors are closed and sealed.
#5. Water On The Floor
Water on the floor can indicate a clog in the water lines leading up to your ice maker or water dispenser (if they’re not working correctly).
Simply cleaning them won’t fix this issue; instead, you’ll need to find and clear whatever is clogging them up to restore proper functionality.
#6. Excess Frost
If you notice your french door refrigerator is giving out excess frost, this can be a problem associated with the internal temperature.
You should seek professional advice or help in solving that issue.
The freezer always makes slight frost in the fridge, but it leaves thick layers of ice crystals on your frozen foods if it starts working a little more. That’s not right at all.
The issue of excess frost might be easy for you to solve independently. It may be that you stocked your freezer a little bit too much.
Some fridge models have this self-defrosting function, and the air temperature rises if food loses its moisture in the process. Eventually, it will lead to crystal formation.
At times, placing warm food in the freezer could also be an issue.
If condensation has taken place on the food, the moisture can freeze and form the ice crystals.
So to prevent that, you need to use freezer-safe containers and moisture-proof wraps. The wraps will help prevent moisture loss.
Your Refrigerator Has Been In Use For Over Ten Years
If your refrigerator has been in use for over ten years, it is high time you got it replaced, as most french door refrigerators last for about 10 to 15 years.
If your repairman has been making frequent visits to your home to fix your fridge, then it might be time you get a new one as it would be more cost-effective.
When Should I Replace My Refrigerator?
The American Refrigerant Institute (now Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) recommends replacing your fridge every eight to 10 years if kept at average room temperature (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit).
This timeline decreases to 6-8 years if kept in hot areas like Phoenix, Arizona, or Miami, Florida, while the best french door refrigerators should last for about 12 years.
A french door fridge will wear out with age, so you may want to replace an older model just before it goes on a frenzy.
Here are some other signs to show that it’s time for a new French door refrigerator:
- Your repairs cost more than half of what a new fridge would cost
- You notice that ice cream is soft or freezer-burned (these are both signs of inadequate cooling).
Conclusion
Although french door refrigerators last for about 10 to 15 years, Always make sure your refrigerator is in the perfect working condition to increase its lifespan.
It is important to notice early signs that show your refrigerator might be having complications and fix them immediately with help from a professional, as dealing with them on your own might worsen it.
