Why are shops telling me old freezers wont work in out buildings and i should buy new type?
Older freezers and refrigerators used freon gas as the coolant – it’s toxic to dispose of, and lethal to inhale in a leak, so it is no longer used. You ARE being conned, however – there are ways to keep them running in winter. I live in the Great White North, with a fridge on the winterized porch and a freezer in a small outbuilding – they work all year! Insulate the building better, or use a 100 watt light bulb for extra heat. If the building is small and insulated, the motor from the freezer will add to the heat as well. You could also run a small radiator-style heater,as long as it doesn’t overload the electrical circuit and trip the fuse (a separate fuse is safest, since both appliances can run at 15 amps each when starting up – it’s a fast surge) Foam sheet insulation is the quickest to install – it can be glued onto the walls.
