Does Refrigerator Need to Be Level?

[J Walker]

When packing for a trip I turn my refrigerator on and I have always leveled the MH. My question is whether the residential refrigerators like my Whirlpool require leveling when running. The type that run on propane or electric heat definitely require leveling. I talked with Whirlpool tech support and they said it does not requires leveling. The only issue I can think of regarding leveling our refrigerators is motor lubrication. If they use a splash type of lubrication then maybe leveling is important.

[docj]

Residential refrigerators are far less sensitive to not being level than are RV ones. The refrigerant is moved by a compressor, not by heat which makes the system relatively insensitive to tilt. I have no idea how much tilt they will tolerate before they would malfunction, but in the 5+ years we've had ours I've never worried about the issue.

[Daveht]

As a tech for over 35 yrs. I can tell you that Whirlpool gave you the correct information.

You run your refer while going down the highway. Now how level is that! An all works fine!!

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by docj

Residential refrigerators are far less sensitive to not being level than are RV ones. The refrigerant is moved by a compressor, not by heat which makes the system relatively insensitive to tilt. I have no idea how much tilt they will tolerate before they would malfunction, but in the 5+ years we've had ours I've never worried about the issue.

40 years of trailers motor homes you name it. Never thought about it and never had a problem.
But sleeping in a ditch with a 45deg angle might give more of a problem than the DW rolling out of bed.

[J Walker]

Thanks for all of the inputs. My experience with automobile air conditioners taught me that the lubrication was mixed with the Freon so the leveling would not affect the lubrication. Residential refrigerators must be the same. I will not have to use my levelers now before turning on my refrigerator.