Northern Virginia summers are long, hot and humid, and they last from late spring well into September. Humidity isn't just uncomfortable. It adds moisture to every appliance that cools, dries or washes, and it makes machines in garages, basements and sunny kitchens work harder. Most of the resulting problems aren't breakdowns, but a few can become one if they're ignored.
Refrigerators and freezers
Sweating on the outside
On a muggy day, condensation can form on the outside of a refrigerator, especially along the door edges and the divider between compartments. Many refrigerators have small heaters in those areas to keep the surface above the dew point. Some models have an energy-saver or anti-sweat setting that turns those heaters off. If yours has one, and the fridge sweats in summer, try switching it to the normal setting.
Persistent condensation along one edge can also mean the door isn't sealing. Check the gasket for gaps, clean it, and make sure the door closes fully.
Water inside
Warm, humid air that gets into the fridge condenses on the cold surfaces. The defrost system melts frost and sends the water down a drain to a pan underneath, where it evaporates. In a humid summer that system works harder, and a drain partially blocked by food debris or ice will overflow, leaving water under the crisper drawers or on the floor. Clear the drain opening gently with warm water. A drain that keeps freezing may point to a defrost problem, which needs a technician.
Working harder in the heat
A refrigerator in a hot kitchen runs longer to stay cold. Keep the condenser coils clean, since dust makes them less efficient. Leave space around the fridge as the installation guide specifies. Limit how long the door is open.
Garage refrigerators and freezers
A closed garage in a Northern Virginia summer can get much hotter than the house. A second refrigerator or freezer out there may run constantly and still not stay cold enough.
- •Check the model's ambient temperature range in the manual. Some are built for garages; many aren't.
- •Keep the unit out of direct sun, and leave space around it.
- •Clean the condenser coils more often. Garages are dusty.
- •Put a thermometer inside and check it on the hottest days.
If a garage freezer can't keep up, see what to check when a freezer runs warm.
Washers
Front-loader odor
Front-loaders seal tightly, and moisture trapped inside the drum and door gasket grows mold and mildew. Humidity makes it worse. Leave the door and the detergent drawer open between loads. Wipe the gasket dry after the last load. Use the right amount of HE detergent, and run the cleaning cycle monthly. Pull the drain pump filter and clean it now and then.
Rust and corrosion
Machines in damp basements or utility rooms can rust around the base and on metal parts. Keep the area dry, wipe up spills, and consider a dehumidifier.
Dryers
Longer drying times
Drying depends on moving moist air out. When the air coming in is already humid, drying takes somewhat longer. But a dryer that suddenly needs two cycles usually has a vent problem, not a humidity problem. Clean the lint screen after every load, check that the exterior vent flap opens when the dryer runs, and have the vent cleaned if it's long.
Hot laundry rooms
A dryer in a closet without enough ventilation can overheat. Follow the installation guide's clearance and venting requirements.
Dishwashers
Dishes may come out wetter in humid weather, especially plastics. Use a rinse aid and let the dishwasher's heated dry or auto-open dry run fully. If dishes are wet and the dishwasher isn't heating, that's a different problem.
Ice makers
Humid air entering the freezer can cause cubes to stick together in the bin. Keep the freezer door closed and use the ice regularly, or empty the bin now and then. If the ice maker stops producing altogether, the cause is usually water supply or freezer temperature rather than the weather.
Dehumidifiers
Many basements in the region rely on a portable dehumidifier through the summer. It's an appliance that needs care too:
- •Clean the air filter regularly.
- •Empty the bucket, or check that the drain hose runs freely if it drains continuously.
- •Keep the coils free of dust.
- •Place it with space around it for airflow.
A dehumidifier that runs but doesn't collect water may have frozen coils (common when the room is cool) or a failing compressor.
A note on air conditioning
Humid summers also mean air conditioners running hard, and AC condensate lines can clog and leak. That's a job for an HVAC contractor, not an appliance technician. We don't service central air or heat pumps.
Storms and power
Summer storms bring outages and surges. Unplug sensitive appliances during an outage and plug them back in once power is steady. Our guide to appliances after a power outage covers what to do.
When to call a technician
Call for a refrigerator that won't hold temperature or keeps leaking inside, a freezer that can't keep up, a washer that won't drain or smells even after cleaning, or a dryer that runs hot. Diagnosis happens where the appliance stands. You'll hear what failed and what the repair will cost, and you decide from there. See our refrigerator repair and dryer repair pages for more.
Common questions
Why does my refrigerator sweat only in summer?
Humid air condenses on surfaces cooler than the dew point. The anti-sweat heaters or setting may be off, or the door seal may be leaking.
Should I unplug my garage fridge in summer?
Not necessarily, but check its temperature range and consider whether you really need it. An empty second fridge running in a hot garage is costly to operate.
Can humidity damage a dryer?
Humidity itself rarely damages a dryer, but it lengthens drying, and a clogged vent combined with a hot closet can cause overheating.