I don’t have room to put a freezer there… can I leave it outside on my back porch, in an unheated garage, the basement, laundry room??? What happens if it isn’t in the house & temperatures soar or dip below zero, will I have any issues?
Convenience First:
One of the first considerations is not only where will one fit but how convenient will it be to grab something out of it, load it up after that grocery store visit, or to clean it out? Do you really want to walk out on the back porch first thing in the morning where the neighbors can see you, or have to shovel snow off the lid? If you place it in the garage are you loosing a parking spot?
Location Matters (sometimes):
Believe it or not but chest freezers are designed to be used out doors, even uncovered. Ever wonder why they are white? Yep, to help reflect sunlight & heat. The raised & protected motor, to help protect it from dirt & rain. Is that the best scenario – well more than likely not.
Outdoor considerations:
If you live in a coastal area, especially near the ocean you will want the unit to be inside due to the salt in the air. Problems with thefts or wild animals – consider someplace inside or the garage. Live in a really hot climate with the sun beating down on the unit – yep, you probably want it inside or at least protected from the sun so it can keep up. Dusty or dust storms an issue, no big deal except for needing to clean the motor & filter area. Live in a more moderate climate – the only downside is during the summer months you will be spending more than you would if it was inside while you will spend less during the winter.
The Garage:
Just like above the only downside is dependent on temperature. With that you also need to be cognizant of how you use your garage – if you do a lot of woodworking or other dusty activities you will need to clean the motor & filter area regularly. the only other issue, is do you lose a parking spot or barely leave enough room – if so that might not be the best place for it.
Below zero?
Unlike a refrigerator where you don’t want the food to freeze… you are good to go though in some cases you might need to be careful about the gasket freezing to the unit.
The Basement:
An unfinished or even finished basement is a great location as it is generally cooler & the exhaust heat doesn’t impact the cooling load of the house. With that be sure that you don’t have any moisture issues, especially flooding as you might not find out that your unit has died until everything has gone bad.
The Laundry Room:
Lint & detergent do not make for a happy freezer though if you follow our maintenance checklists (see below) you should have no issues. The only other possible concern is if the freezer is next to the dryer, you might see some additional run time.
Other Inside Location:
This is generally the most convenient location though you need to cognizant of the noise made when it turns on. This is also the location where the annual electric usage is more likely to be accurate. The only other downside during the summer is the waste heat generated from cooling down the freezer, though as most HVAC units are so oversized you probably wouldn’t even notice it. Good news during the winter time is that waste heat will help keep your house a little warmer.
Other Considerations:
The only other real consideration is to make sure you leave enough room around the unit for proper airflow to the units motor. You should also clean the coils & units generally twice a year – we generally recommend January & July in our monthly maintenance checklists.
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