5 Appliance Myths Debunked by Professional Technicians

# 5 Appliance Myths Debunked by Professional Technicians

Homeowners hear all kinds of folk wisdom about appliances. We asked our senior technicians for the myths they encounter most often—and the real truth behind them.

## Myth #1: "Leaving the Fridge Door Open Breaks the Compressor"

**The Truth**: Briefly leaving the door open won’t permanently damage the compressor; modern units are built to handle temperature spikes.

Reality check:
- Compressors cycle on and off to maintain set temperatures.
- They handle the extra load from open doors, though it increases energy use.
- The real risk is **lost food freshness** and higher humidity inside the refrigerator.

**Technician Insight**: "Leaving the door open wastes energy, but it won’t kill the compressor. It’s the repeated delays in cooling that make food spoil faster."

## Myth #2: "Refrigerators Work Harder in Winter"

**The Truth**: Colder ambient temperatures actually help refrigerators. The compressor works less because the surrounding air is cooler.

What actually makes fridges work harder:
- Poor ventilation around the unit
- Dirty condenser coils
- Frequent door openings during holiday cooking

**Technician Insight**: "Winter service calls are usually about different issues—like frozen water lines in unheated areas—not overworked compressors."

## Myth #3: "Running the Dishwasher Uses More Water Than Hand Washing"

**The Truth**: Modern dishwashers use significantly less water than hand washing.

The numbers:
- Modern dishwashers use 3-5 gallons per load.
- Hand washing the same dishes typically uses 15-27 gallons.
- Energy Star dishwashers are even more efficient.

**Efficiency Tips**: Run full loads, skip pre-rinsing (just scrape), and use eco-mode when available.

## Myth #4: "Leaving Appliances Plugged In Doesn’t Use Electricity"

**The Truth**: Many appliances draw "phantom power" even when turned off.

Standby loads include:
- Digital clocks and displays
- Remote control receivers
- Memory functions
- Ready-to-start features

**Impact**: Phantom loads can account for 5-10% of a home's energy use.

**Technician Insight**: "Modern appliances are much better than older ones, but phantom power is real. Smart power strips are a great investment."

## Myth #5: "Manual Defrosting is Better Than Auto-Defrost"

**The Truth**: Auto-defrost is more convenient AND more efficient for most users.

Manual defrost freezers are energy-efficient on paper, but in reality:
- Most people don't defrost manually often enough.
- Ice buildup makes the freezer work harder.
- Auto-defrost maintains efficiency automatically.
- Manual defrosting is time-consuming and messy.

**Technician Insight**: "I've seen manual defrost freezers with 2-3 inches of ice buildup. At that point, an auto-defrost would be using much less energy."

## The Bottom Line

These myths persist because they contain a grain of truth or applied to much older appliances. Modern appliances are designed differently, and what was true 20 years ago might not be true today.

## When to Trust the Experts

If you're unsure about how to use your appliances efficiently, or if you're experiencing problems that don't make sense, consult a professional. Proper maintenance and correct usage will always matter more than old wives' tales.