Refrigerator compressor & sealed system repair
Compressor replacement, refrigerant leak repair and recharge on built-in and freestanding refrigerators and freezers, by an EPA 608 certified technician.
What the sealed system is
The sealed system is the part of the refrigerator that actually moves heat: the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator, the filter drier and the tubing that connects them, filled with refrigerant. It is welded shut at the factory. Repairing it means opening it, which requires certification and the right equipment.
Signs of a sealed-system problem
- Both the fridge and the freezer are warm, and the condenser fan and compressor are running
- The compressor clicks on and off every few minutes but never runs
- Frost on only part of the evaporator coil
- An oily spot on tubing or under the unit
Andrei Zinchenko
Owner · Family-owned & operated · EPA 608 certified
I live in Westmont and handle every repair personally. No subcontractors and no call center: when you call, you talk to me, and I am the one who comes to your home.
I am EPA 608 certified, so I can repair compressors and refrigerant leaks. A good built-in refrigerator rarely needs to be replaced.
You will always know the price before I start. Call me any time: (630) 414-9155.
How the repair is done
- Confirm it really is the sealed system. Fans, defrost parts, start relays and controls are ruled out first.
- Recover the refrigerant that is left in the system, as the law requires.
- Replace the failed part: the compressor, a leaking evaporator or condenser, or a damaged line, and always a new filter drier.
- Pull a deep vacuum to remove air and moisture from the system.
- Recharge by weight to the factory specification on the model tag, then test temperatures and current draw.
On a built-in Sub-Zero or Monogram this is usually a fraction of the cost of replacement, and you keep the unit that fits your cabinetry.
Sealed system questions
Is it worth replacing the compressor on my refrigerator?
On a built-in refrigerator (Sub-Zero, Monogram, JennAir) almost always, because replacing the unit means replacing a very expensive appliance that the cabinetry was built around. On an older freestanding refrigerator the arithmetic is closer, and we will tell you honestly when replacement makes more sense.
How do I know it is the compressor and not something cheaper?
Most refrigerators that stop cooling have a fan, defrost, start relay or control problem, not a failed compressor. We check those first. A sealed-system diagnosis is based on measurements (compressor windings and current draw, evaporator and condenser temperatures), not a guess.
Which refrigerants do you work with?
All of the common household refrigerants, including R-134a and R-600a (isobutane), plus older systems. We are EPA Section 608 certified, which is required to buy and handle refrigerant.
How long does a sealed-system repair take?
Usually a few hours on site, once the parts are in hand: recover the refrigerant, replace the failed part and the filter drier, pull a deep vacuum, recharge by weight, and test.
Tell us what's going on
Share a few details and the model number if you have it. We'll call you back with what's likely wrong, what the repair involves and when we can be there.
(630) 414-9155Or leave your number and we'll call you right back.