Will a Refrigerator Work on Propane?

About Propane Refrigerators

• In areas where connection to the electrical grid is not available, propane refrigerators can provide sufficient cooling capacity to preserve foods for long periods of time. This method of refrigeration traces its roots back to 1824, when Michael Faraday invented an absorption cooling system using gases such as ammonia, according to the Dynamx, Inc. website. By the 1930s, propane refrigeration based on his work became widely available to the public, particularly in rural areas where electrical service did not yet exist. Today’s propane refrigerators cost considerably more than electric-powered refrigerators, but they have fewer working parts and last longer.

How Propane Refrigerators Work

• Propane refrigeration works on the principles of condensation and absorption. Ammonia is heated by the propane flame and produces steam, similar to how a coffee percolator works. Ammonia steam is pushed into the condenser, and the water falls back into the absorber tubes. The ammonia mixes with hydrogen gas and reacts chemically, which evaporates the ammonia and thereby creates cold temperatures. Newer models of propane refrigerators emit much less carbon monoxide than older units. Although these units generally do not require venting to the outside, you should allow sufficient space behind and on top of the refrigerator to allow for adequate ventilation.

Types of Propane Refrigerators

• There are different types of propane refrigerators. Some can use multiple power sources, such as those for recreational vehicles and motor homes that can be powered with propane, electricity or the vehicle's battery. Other types of units are suited for home use. These may be equipped with electrical adapters that can be hooked up to the electrical grid for backup when necessary.

Costs of Propane Refrigeration

• Older propane refrigerator units will generally use 3/4 of a gallon of propane per day, while newer, more-efficient units may only use 1/3 of a gallon of propane per day. The cost of cooling your refrigerator with propane gas will differ slightly, depending on the time of year. At an average price for propane of $1.86 per gallon, propane refrigeration will cost approximately $.60 per day in warm weather. During very cold seasons or at higher altitudes, the cost will be about $.45 per day.