WHY IS MY FREEZER WET ON THE OUTSIDE?

1. HUMIDITY

If you live in a humid area—or summer weather has arrived—it’s normal for some condensation to appear on the outside of your freezer. Similar to the way a cold can of soda “sweats” on a hot summer day, condensation forms when warm, moist air comes into contact with the cold surface of your freezer. As this air cools, it forms small droplets of condensation on the freezer’s exterior. This is a common occurrence and generally shouldn’t be cause for concern, especially on muggy days or in homes without air conditioning.

2. DAMAGED DOOR SEAL

If condensation is forming near or around the perimeter of the freezer door, the door seal may be damaged and allowing cold air to leak out. Inspect the seal for cracks or tears and feel around for areas where cool air may be escaping. Replace the seal if you find any damage.

3. ENERGY-SAVING FEATURE

If your freezer or refrigerator unit has an energy-saving feature and it’s switched on, you may notice condensation forming on your freezer’s exterior walls. This is because, in order to cut costs, the energy-saving feature turns off the anti-sweat heaters that prevent moisture from building up on the outside of your appliance. You might consider switching this energy-saving feature off to help eliminate excess moisture on the walls.

4. IMPROPER CLEARANCE

As a general rule of thumb, your freezer or refrigerator unit should have a minimum of one inch of clearance on all sides in order to ensure proper air circulation. Poor air circulation and blocked air vents can lead to temperature and moisture problems. Consult your appliance’s installation manual for proper clearances and adjust the unit as necessary.

If you’re still experiencing problems and you’ve tried troubleshooting your freezer to no avail, it may be time to enlist expert help. Our local technicians know GE Appliances inside and out, and often diagnose and resolve most issues on the first visit.* Schedule service online now and we’ll get to the root of the issue.