How Norcold Refrigerators Work
Unlike traditional fridges that use an electric motor, compressor and fan to push cold air into the refrigerator, norcold refrigerators work in a relatively simple way. This means that they can last a very long time and are often less likely to run into problems than other types of RV fridges.
In fact, there are rv’s on the road today with 20-year-old norcold refrigerators that still operate like new. That’s a testament to how well designed these units are, and it also speaks to the ease with which they can be repaired and maintained.
What makes norcold fridges so reliable is their fairly basic design. They use propane gas to heat a boiler, which turns an ammonia solution into a gas that naturally attracts and removes heat. The system then recirculates the gaseous ammonia through metal coils until it cools down and returns to its liquid state. It then remixes with water and the cycle repeats, allowing the fridge to remain cold.
Some Norcold fridges, including the Polar DC/12V series with compressors, are also capable of running off of electricity alone and can automatically switch between propane and electricity. These are ideal for campers that don’t want to deal with the hassle of switching between fuel sources.
The company also offers a line of portable refrigerator/freezers that look more like coolers than residential refrigerators and can be easily moved from place to place. For larger RV’s, Norcold has a variety of two- and four-door refrigerators that are a bit more reminiscent of home appliances. norcold refrigerators