Most Subcold fridges are designed for indoor use in a temperature-controlled environment and are not recommended for use in garages, sheds, or other unheated outbuildings.
However, our APEX range is IPX4 rated and designed for outdoor use.
You can view the APEX outdoor fridge range here:
https://subcold.com/collections/outdoor-fridges
Why Can a Garage or Outbuilding Cause Problems?
The performance of a fridge is affected by the temperature of the surrounding environment.
In an unheated garage or outbuilding, temperatures can fall very low during winter and become very high during summer. This can cause:
Poor or inconsistent cooling
The compressor or cooling system switching off unexpectedly
Excessive frost or condensation
Water forming inside the appliance
Increased running times during hot weather
Reduced energy efficiency
Temperature fluctuations inside the fridge
Thermoelectric models can be particularly affected because their cooling performance depends heavily on the surrounding ambient temperature.
What Happens in Cold Weather?
If the surrounding temperature falls below the appliance’s recommended operating range, the fridge may not operate correctly.
The thermostat may detect that the internal temperature is already low enough and stop the cooling system.
Thermoelectric coolers are designed to cool rather than heat, so they cannot raise the internal temperature if the surrounding environment becomes colder than the selected temperature.
What About Hot Weather?
Garages, sheds, conservatories, and similar spaces can also become significantly warmer than the rest of the home during summer.
High ambient temperatures can cause the fridge to:
Run for longer periods
Struggle to reach the selected temperature
Produce more heat around the exterior
Use more electricity
Experience reduced cooling performance
Which Subcold Fridges Can Be Used Outdoors?
Our APEX range is IPX4 rated for outdoor use and is the recommended option if you require a fridge for an outdoor area.
IPX4 means the appliance is designed to withstand splashing water from any direction, making it more suitable for outdoor environments than our standard indoor models.
Even with an outdoor-rated appliance, it should still be installed in accordance with the product instructions and given adequate ventilation.
What About Garages and Sheds?
For standard Subcold fridges, we recommend installation:
Indoors
In a dry environment
In a room with a reasonably stable temperature
Away from direct sunlight
Away from radiators, boilers, ovens, and other heat sources
With adequate ventilation around the appliance
If you specifically need a fridge for a garage, shed, outdoor bar, or other exposed area, we recommend choosing a suitable model from the APEX outdoor range.
If you are unsure whether a particular model is suitable for your intended location, please contact Subcold Customer Service with the model and details of where you plan to install it.