What to Look For When Buying a Used Fridge

Looking for a refrigerator but a brand new one just isn't in the budget right now? Not a problem. Jan Hagerman from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers some tips for purchasing used refrigerators.

1. Measure the space where your refrigerator will go. And measure it again!
2. Check the label inside the refrigerator to see how old it is. You can get about 10 years out of a refrigerator!
3. Check the seals by putting a piece of paper between the door and the frame. If the paper doesn't move, the seal is good! Buying new seals might still be a good investment.
4. The dreaded smell test: All used refrigerators will have a little bit of a smell that is easy to get rid of but if it's bad enough, that means it might stay.
5. Is it the color you want? If not, there are plenty of ways to upgrade it. You can use contact paper, paint, or stainless steel paint to make it look like a stainless steel refrigerator.
6. Load it up! If you lay the fridge down when you take it home, remember to stand it up for at least 24 hours before turning it on so that the fluids in the fridge have time to settle.

We have plenty of used (and even new) refrigerators at Habitat for Humanity ReStores that are looking for new homes, all at an affordable price! We also offer a 7-day money-back guarantee.

Visit us at restore.tchabitat.org