How to Make My Garage Fridge Work in Zero-Degree Winters

Clear a space in the interior of the garage against a wall that touches the rooms of the house if the garage is attached. Sweep the floor in the area that you cleared and place a piece of carpet large enough to accommodate the bottom of the refrigerator with 2 to 3 inches of extra carpet around the perimeter.

Move the refrigerator vertically into the cleared space, centering it on the carpet. Plug in the appliance.

Measure all of the refrigerators surfaces, including the sides and top of the unit and both the refrigerator and freezer doors. Cut and attach pieces of foam insulation boards to the sides and tops of the refrigerator and foam padding or carpeting for the doors.

Give the refrigerator a few hours to adjust to the new insulation. If the refrigerator has been warmed enough, it should start running regularly.

Install a garage refrigerator heater kit to the refrigerator if the home-made insulation does not provide enough warmth to allow the appliance to function properly. Follow the directions provided with the kit to properly install it next to the thermostat inside the refrigerator.

Heat the garage if you have taken all other steps to make it work, but it still won’t run. If the refrigerator runs during part of the day, such as when the sun is out, and only fails to work at night, try directing an electric heater toward the refrigerator at night to keep the unit functioning. Otherwise, you may need a full-time heating system installed in the garage, or move the refrigerator indoors during the winter months.