Assumptions
- When the compressor is not running, the condenser coils are at room temperature.
- A rise in temperature detected on the condenser coils indicates operation of the compressor.
- A return to room temperature indicates the compressor has ceased to operate.
By collecting temperature data over a period of time, and analyzing it according to the aforementioned assumptions, we can determine how frequently the compressor runs.
Site Specific Assumptions
- Room temperature will not affect the experiment because it will be kept constant.
- Outdoor conditions will not affect the outcome of our experiment because the refrigerator is not located adjacent to an exterior wall, nor is it located near a window.
- Contents of the freezer will not affect our experiment because nothing will be added to or removed from it during testing.
Inquiry Questions
A dearth of knowledge exists concerning why a refrigerator would have a lower cooling load when full than when empty. We identified two questions about why a full refrigerator may maintain coolth better than an empty one.
- Does the thermal mass of water laden foods (or jugs of water) play a role in heat storage, contributing temperature stability to the refrigerator compartment?
- Does the combination of thermal mass and the volume of stored items insulate against heat gain from outside the refrigerator?