How Refrigerator Works

Introduction

Have you ever thought about the way that a refrigerator keeps the food fresh and cold all day and all night?
A refrigerator might seem to be plain on the outside, however on the inside, it involves intelligent science and engineering that removes heat in the food and expels it to the outside.

Here, we describe the working of a refrigerator step by step, its key parts, refrigeration process, gas employed and the way of operating of modern refrigeration in 2026.

What Does a Refrigerator Do?

Refrigerator does not make cold.

Rather, it takes heat in the interior of the fridge and discharges it to the outside air.

They could eliminate heat by unsteady heat:

• The inside stays cold
• Food remains fresh
• Bacteria growth slows down

The Fundamental Idea of the Refrigerator

• Heat transfer
• Pressure change
• Refrigerant (gas – liquid) change of phase.

This is a continuous process of repeating the process in order to sustain a constant temperature.

Key Appliances in a Refrigerator

All refrigerators have the following four major parts:

Compressor

• The refrigerator heart as it is known.
• Compresses refrigerant gas
• Rises of pressure and temperature.
• Forces the refrigerant using the system.

Condenser Coils

• Located at the back or bottom
• Gets rid of heat in the room air.
• Cooler Hot gas Condenses into liquid.

Expansion Device (Capillary Tube / Valve)

• Pressure of refrigerant liquid is reduced.
• Controls refrigerant flow
• Prepares refrigeration and chilling.

Evaporator Coils

• Placed within the fridge/ freezer.
• Absorbs heat from inside air
• Cools down liquid refrigeration to gas.
• Produces cooling effect

How Does a Refrigerator Work? (Step-by-Step)

1: Compression

The compressor forces low pressure refrigerant gas and compresses it into a hot and high pressure gas.

2: Heat Release (Condensation)

• The hot gas is passed through condenser coils.
• The heat is emitted into the air of the kitchen.
• Refrigerant is cooled and it turns to warm liquid.

3: Expansion

• The refrigerant liquid moves through an expansion valve or a capillary tube.
• Pressure drops suddenly
• Refrigerant is greatly chilled.
• During this step, the heating heat is removed and replaced with cool air that is brought in via the opening.

4: Cooling Inside (Evaporation)

• Cold refrigerant is passed on evaporator coils.
• Absorbs heat from fridge air
• Air inside becomes cold
• Refrigerant is once again converted into gas.

5: Cycle Repeats

• The refrigerant gas is returned to the compressor.
• This process continues and the process continues to cool.

Question: How Temperature Is Controlled?

Refrigerators use:

• Thermostats
• Temperature sensors
• When temperature rises:
• Compressor turns ON
• At target temperature:
• Compressor turns OFF

This will conserve power and avoid over cooling.

A Basic Comparison of the Process of refrigeration

• It takes in heat within the fridge.
• Releases heat outside
• Continues the process over and over.

And, similarly to sweat being evaporated through your skin, it cools your body.

Which Gas Does the Refrigerators Use?

Refrigerant gases that modern refrigerators employ are environmentally friendly and include:

• HFO (Hydrofluoroolefins)
• R600a (Isobutane)
• These gases:
• Have low boiling points
• Absorb heat efficiently
• Energy efficient and ecologically friendly.

Is there a Shortage of Gas in Refrigerators?

No.

Refrigeration systems are closed, thus refrigerant continues to circulate in the refrigerator.

Gas only leaks if:

• There is physical damage
• Internal pipes are damaged

How Does a Freezer Work?

The freezers operate in the same fashion as the refrigerators except that:

• At much lower temperatures
• Increased evaporator operation.

Cold air is either:

• Generated separately, or
• Sharing by means of vents (in fridge-freezer unions).

Types of Refrigerator Layouts

• Top Freezer Refrigerator
• Side-by-Side Refrigerator
• French Door Refrigerator
• Multi-Door Refrigerator

How Modern Refrigerators Work in 2026

• Inverter compressors
• Multi air flow cooling
• Temperature sensors on the digital scale.
• Energy-efficient operation
• Smart and AI-based cooling
• These features improve:
• Food freshness
• Power savings
• Noise reduction

Reasons that are Likely to Make a Refrigerator Quit Cooling

• Dirty condenser coils
• Broken door gasket
• Faulty thermostat
• Compressor failure
• Poor airflow

FAQs – How Refrigerator Works

Does a refrigerator have cold air?

No, it takes the heat away indoors.

What is the reason why the back of a fridge is warm?

Is something different with the inverter refrigerator?

The same principle applies, and inverter models save electricity.

Is it possible to have a fridge without electricity?

No, a fridge needs electricity to run the compressor.

Conclusion

What then is the working principle of a refrigerator?

It operates using the refrigeration cycle to remove the heat that is inside and release it outside.

This is because knowing how a refrigerator functions enables you to:

• Choose the right model
• Save electricity
• Keep your appliance in a better condition.

The knowledge is particularly applicable in the purchasing process of a new refrigerator in the year 2026 at Bijli Bazar.