The refrigerator is an essential element of any kitchen, regardless of the size of the room. In this case, the so-called embedded models are increasingly used. There are two options for their installation (you need to select the option before installing the built-in refrigerator): insertion into a cabinet niche or under the countertop and partial insertion, in which the front of the refrigerator is not hidden. The functional features of such large household appliances are no different from ordinary ones. The differences can only be in appearance and connection.
Furniture requirements
Most often, refrigerators are built into special cases, which are part of the kitchen furniture set, due to which all furniture and household appliances will be made in the same style. On one side of the pencil case there isfront door, which is further connected to the refrigerator door.
Whether you decide to install the built-in refrigerator in the kitchen (in whole or in part), there are certain requirements for the design. The device of the pencil case must be such as to ensure the removal of heat from the equipment, for which the following rules must be followed:
- providing a gap between all the walls of the cabinet and the refrigerator;
- remove the back of the pencil case altogether;
- there should be ventilation holes in the bottom wall.
Location Requirements
You need not only to know how to install a built-in refrigerator, but also where to put it. In this case, you should pay attention to the general recommendations that are indicated in the instruction manual for this type of equipment:
- the cabinet must be installed in such a way that the gap between the back wall of the refrigerator and the wall of the room is at least 10 cm;
- the chosen place should be such that the doors open freely to the maximum angle;
- the back of the cabinet (it is recommended to remove the wall) should not come into contact with any heating devices, such as a battery.
Rules for connecting to the electrical network
Before you install the built-in refrigerator, you need to decide which outlet the device will be connected to. In this case, it is recommended to use a separate access point to the electrical network, it is desirable to equip it with a grounding contact. In some cases, this requirement requiresthere will be installation of additional wires from the electrical panel or junction box.
Carefully you need to choose the cross section of the conductors. It must match the electrical power and load. This is especially important if a group of sockets is mounted to which other household appliances in the kitchen will be connected, for example, an oven along with a hob and a refrigerator. In this case, we are talking about the total power.
It is not recommended to place the socket on open parts of the wall, while accessibility must be ensured to it. Many craftsmen prefer to install them under the countertop. The socket in this place will not interfere, and the equipment, if necessary, can be easily disconnected from the network.
It is recommended to do the first test switching on of the equipment even before you correctly install the built-in refrigerator in the pencil case. You need to do this to make sure that the device is working. The second - after placing it in the pencil case. This step is required to ensure quiet operation.
Installation order
The built-in refrigerator is installed in the following sequence:
- Unpack the equipment, remove the protective films and parts of the packaging. Before installing the built-in refrigerator, it is recommended to study the instructions. It must be included.
-
Now you need to compare the dimensions of the equipment and the parameters of the niche. It is possible to install equipment only if there is a gap on the sides and in a depth of 3-7 cm.
- Before you install the built-in refrigerator, you need to check the base of the niche for a slope. If it is detected, a ventilation pad will be required to compensate for the slope.
- Now you can also install a refrigerator (transport restraints must be removed), but you need to put it not close to the back wall, but rather leaving gaps of 10 cm, which will simplify the installation of the facade.
- The power cord must be passed through the hole in the back wall.
- The refrigerator can only be moved in after the facades and metal parts have been installed. After that, the technique must be fixed.
Installation of facades on a built-in refrigerator
This step is in the instructions. It describes how to properly install a built-in refrigerator inside a cabinet. With a decorative glass door, you can follow a simplified installation diagram.
There are two ways to install facades:
- the use of fittings that ensure sliding of the door on the skids, while the fixed fasteners with a hinged system are also screwed in;
- Installation of a facade that opens together with the door of the refrigerator itself (in this case, the facade is attached directly to the device).
Possible difficulties
Do-it-yourself installation of a built-in refrigerator is better with sufficient experience. Otherwisethere is a risk of damage to parts, which may void the warranty.
Beginners may experience the following difficulties:
- the impossibility of leaving ventilation gaps, for example, if the refrigerator is slightly larger than the cabinet itself, which may be fraught with damage to the device due to overheating;
- inability to connect equipment to the electrical network in accordance with the rated voltage (this parameter is indicated on the diagram in the instructions);
- lack of the ability to connect to the water supply and expel air from the system, since the purchase did not take into account the presence of an ice maker (some models, for example, Liebherr, require a separate water supply line to provide this function);
- impossibility of locating the water shut-off valve away from the outlet and the back wall of the refrigerator;
- use of heavy decorative panels resulting in improper load distribution between refrigerator door and cabinet;
- installation of appliances next to heaters.
If it was decided to build in the refrigerator yourself, then you first need to carefully study the instructions and allocate enough time for this. You need to be patient and careful while working.
