Sponsored by Fridge Defend
It’s a Fridge Face Off!
When outfitting your motorhome, fifth-wheel, or travel trailer, one of the pivotal decisions revolves around the choice of refrigerator. This article delves into the pros and cons of selecting a residential fridge versus an RV-specific fridge.
Given the unique challenges and benefits of each, our analysis includes a crucial modification for RV (absorption) fridges that include the option to be powered with propane in addition to other power sources. That modification is the installation of a Fridge Defend safety device. Without this device, the maintenance and safety compliance of RV fridges can be daunting, making residential fridges the default choice for some. Let’s explore both options, keeping in mind the balance shifts significantly with the addition of Fridge Defend for RV refrigerators.
Residential Fridge: Pros and Cons
Residential refrigerators come in a variety of sizes that can fit most RVs, and are typically powered by 110 volts. If you choose to use a residential fridge that includes an ice maker or water service at the door, you must ensure you can run a water line to the appropriate area. You should also ensure that you can easily access that area if winterization is needed or the line needs to be disconnected for winter or during service.
Pros
- Larger Capacity: Residential fridges typically offer more storage space, ideal for long trips or full-time RV living.
- Better Cooling Efficiency: They are more efficient in maintaining consistent temperatures, thanks to their more robust compressors and insulation.
- Familiarity: Operating similarly to household fridges, they require no special knowledge or adjustments for RVers.
- Availability: Replacement parts or service can often be easier to find, given their common use in homes.
Cons
- Power Consumption: Residential models consume more power, potentially an issue without access to continuous electric hookups.
- Size and Weight: Their larger size and heavier weight may pose installation challenges and affect fuel efficiency.
- Requires Inverter: To operate on DC power, an inverter is necessary, adding to the setup’s complexity and cost.
- Warranty: Manufacturers of residential fridge may not honor the warranty for a residential fridge when mounted in an RV.
RV Fridge: Pros and Cons (With Fridge Defend)
Because using an RV refrigerator that includes the option to be powered with propane is inherently less safe than a residential refrigerator, comparisons are such that they include the assumption that the Fridge Defend modification has been made, to put them on an equal footing with regard to safety to that of a residential fridge.
Pros
- Designed for Mobility: RV fridges are built to withstand road vibrations and tilting angles, reducing the risk of malfunctions.
- Flexibility: They can run on multiple power sources (AC, DC, and propane), offering versatility during travel.
- Energy Efficiency: With a Fridge Defend installed, they become more efficient, managing energy use effectively and enhancing safety.
- Safety: The Fridge Defend device mitigates the risks associated with recalls and safety procedures by automatically managing the cooling unit’s operation, making it a safer choice.
Cons
- Maintenance: Even with Fridge Defend, RV fridges may require more maintenance and understanding of their operation compared to residential types. And though we recommend all refrigerator types to be as level as possible during operation, an absorption model is more sensitive to being out of level, so proper positioning is critical to optimum operation.
- Cooling Capacity: They might struggle to cool down as quickly or evenly as residential models, especially in high temperatures, though the Fridge Defend does help with this issue.
- Initial Cost: The cost of purchasing and installing a Fridge Defend device adds to the initial investment.
The Fridge Defend Advantage
The Fridge Defend by ARP is a game-changer for RV refrigeration safety and efficiency. This device automatically controls the cooling unit’s operation to prevent overheating, a common cause of fridge failures and potential safety hazards. With Fridge Defend, RV fridges become comparable in safety and reliability to their residential counterparts, mitigating the primary concern of maintenance and safety compliance.
Conclusion
Choosing between a residential and an RV fridge involves considering the benefits of capacity, efficiency, and familiarity. Then you weight those against considerations of power usage, installation challenges, and safety. The introduction of the Fridge Defend device may tip the scales in favor of RV fridges by enhancing their safety and operational efficiency if the multiple power options are important to you. Whether you opt for the spaciousness and convenience of a residential fridge or the tailored design and adaptability of an RV fridge with Fridge Defend, the right choice depends on your travel style, power availability, and safety priorities.
friz says
After 20 years of service the Dometic died. At $1500 – $2000 a replacement was a non starter (bidennomics). I went with a $254 7.5 cu ft residential. Fairly happy. cools down many times faster then the Dometic when turned on. No boondocking. If ever need off grid we have a 2500w inverter generator. Next, when driving the 5th wheel is rarely accessed so the refrigerator remains closed and cold.
Nancy Reid says
We purchased Fridge Defender and hired an RV tech to install it. Due to the interior configuration of our Dometic fridge ,he could not install it. We had to return it.
Rob says
You totally missed a 3rd option. A DC powered 12 or 24 volt fridge. Commonly used in marine applications for decades, they are now available in more configurations than ever including models targeted for off-grid living applications. Even traditional home fridge brands like GE are producing 12 volt DC models. Typically powered with a highly efficient compressor such as a Danfoss, most are much more efficient in regard to power consumption than a residential fridge, equal or better than an absoption fridge, not as sensitive to being out of level (some brands specify normal operation at up to 30 degrees off level) and best of all just as safe as a residential fridge. Available in capacities from 1cuft up to apartment size and in many configurations, including drawer style, chest style, dual compressors, etc. Cons might be relative cost and [typical] lack of an ice maker or self defrost, but those are power hungry options and some do offer them.
Russell Bodge says
I replaced the “thermistor” in my Dometic RV refrigerator/freezer with a conventional thermostat, ($25-$35) because of issues keeping constant temp. I don’t understand the thinking of a thermistor to control temp but that’s no longer a worry for me. I now have a good old, made in China, thermostat. Also I added a double fan kit ($30) that clips on top of the fins inside the refrigerator section and provides good air circulation. Basically its a very thin dual fan that looks similar to your CPU fans in a computer and it does have a little switch on it directly if I ever wanted to turn it off to conserve the very small amount of DC power it consumes. I don’t know why this set up is not standard but it solved all troubles with keeping the temp. controlled in my Fridge. I also added digital temp probes for frig and freezer. $3 each and they run off watch batteries that have lasted years but they only read in Celsius. You could also use a two sensor weather station that you can pick up on line or at hardware store for $20 that has wireless sensors you can toss in to monitor the temp. inside the units. I haven’t ever been able to get my internal senses to calibrate with a 1 thru 5 dial selector to figure out what the temp that will be equal to a day later. So now my unit can run off AC or LP gas but still requires a 12VDC hook up for running the control panel and internal light. Unlike a “Residential” unit that uses, special refrigerants with a compressor running off lots of AC power.
Alternatively, my typical 20 year old RV Fridge uses ammonia gas and does not have an big power hungry AC driven compressor. Thus most likely why the RV fridge cools more slowly. So if you want to be capable of unplugging from the grid and still have a Fridge you are better off sticking with the more frugal RV style unit. That all said, I have heard that even your Residential style Fridge will eventually be switching to the ammonia version of refrigerants. Not sure if that means no more compressor on residential units also, but it should help with plugging that nasty bald spot we still have in our protective ozone layer of our earths stratosphere.