Is it possible to place a refrigerator next to the radiator?

Refrigerator location standards

The operating instructions prescribe specific requirements for the location of the refrigeration unit. The unit should not be located adjacent to kitchen furniture. The side gaps must be at least 5 cm, and there must be a distance of at least 10 cm between the back wall and the condenser grille. You can achieve a gap between the floor and the electrical appliance using adjustable legs. The distance is required for constant air circulation. All actions should be aimed at preventing the compressor from overheating.

What distance should be between the refrigerator and the battery?

The operating instructions for modern refrigerators state that for proper operation of the device, free air circulation is required in the place where the refrigerator is installed. The distance from the top of the device should be at least 25 cm, and from the back of the device to the wall - at least 5 cm. From the refrigerator to the floor should be at least 2.5-3 cm. If the device is located near the battery, then add another 30 cm. Total - at least 35 cm should be between the compressor and the heating battery.

Each refrigerator is equipped with adjustable legs. With their help, you not only adjust the vertical position of the refrigerator on an uneven floor, but also adjust the size of the gap under the bottom to ensure reliable air flow.

If a hot water supply pipe or heating pipe runs close to the refrigerator, insulation made of heat-resistant material is applied to it.

Since you have decided positively on the question of whether it is possible to place a refrigerator near a radiator, you should think about the rational placement of other household appliances to ensure comfortable cooking conditions. To do this, designers use the “triangle rule”. According to it, kitchen appliances are installed in 3 corners of the room. The ideal option is to combine the refrigerator, stove and sink with work surfaces and cabinets into a functional complex.

Is it possible to place a refrigerator next to the battery: at what distance

At what distance from the battery can a refrigerator be placed? This is a question that often arises in different situations. The design of a modern kitchen and the location of the refrigerator are closely interrelated. You should also take into account the minimum permissible distance from the radiator to the refrigerator. The installation of a far from cheap unit should occupy the most important place in determining the location of kitchen attributes.

Is it possible to place a refrigerator next to the radiator?

A standard heating radiator gets so hot in winter that it can melt plastic. Therefore, placing a cooling cabinet next to it is prohibited. The walls of the unit should not come into contact with heating devices.

Advice! “Do not place a cooling cabinet near heating appliances or a stove. The distance from the unit to the heating surfaces must be at least 50 cm.”

If the only installation option is a place near the radiator, you can place the refrigerator in another room, in the pantry, in the hallway. During the winter months, leaving the heating on will certainly negatively affect the operation of the cooling unit.

You may be interested in: What and how can you remove the smell of fish from the refrigerator?

Location standards

According to technical standards, the distance from various systems and walls to the refrigerator should be as follows:

from the radiator or hot water pipe to any wall of the unit - 50 cm;
from the side wall of the device to the battery – 30 cm;
from the back wall to the heating device - 0 cm.

There is a complete ban on installing refrigeration equipment with a rear wall to heating systems. The same rules apply for the stove as for the battery.

Distance to system

Any side of the refrigeration equipment should be 50 cm away from the heating systems. This distance is enough to prevent the harmful effect of heat on the cooling unit.

If there is a heating pipe running under the floor of the house, or a “Warm Floor” system is installed in the home, a place for the refrigerator is chosen on the loggia, or a place for it is determined in advance before the renovation, where the heating will not be turned on at all.

Nuances of remoteness

Without thinking whether it is possible to place a refrigerator next to a pipe or radiator and devices for distributing heat, a person places the refrigerator next to them. They may not always heat enough, but they work constantly during the heating season.

A brand new unit, next to which there is a radiator, may not even survive until the end of the warranty period.

Failure to maintain the minimum distance from the rear or side wall will result in poor air circulation along the cooling system location. If we add to this the unit’s system, which in its most advanced design can withstand +43 °C, hot summer time and cooking, you can say goodbye to the desired refrigerator, for which you have been saving money for a long time.

And the last little secret - if the unit is standing at the wrong angle, its door opens with difficulty and does not slam shut spontaneously at the right time, and the open door interferes with movement around a small room - it means that the choice of place is wrong, even if all the previous conditions are met. Warm air will constantly flow into the slightly open refrigerator door, and this is a sure way to damage it, and in a short time.

Before you buy the coveted symbol of kitchen luxury, you need to choose a place where you can put it. There are no hopeless situations, and craftsmen or installers can easily solve the problem with the help of protective devices, sometimes very expensive ones. Are the efforts and resources worth the opportunity to squeeze a refrigerator next to a gas stove or radiator? You need to think carefully. Sometimes it is cheaper to simply purchase a smaller device.

What should be the distance from the battery to the refrigerator?

Where and at what distance you can place a refrigerator in a limited space is not an easy question and requires a thoughtful approach. Sometimes you can’t do without additional safety measures, even if you plan everything very carefully.

The task set for owners of a kitchen with a small area resembles a puzzle with a labyrinth, where there are prohibitory signs at every corner. After all, the purchased unit cannot be placed in direct sunlight or near heat sources, it cannot be left without the necessary air circulation, but it is also not recommended to place the refrigerator in a draft.

Heating radiators, cooking stoves, other electrical appliances, ovens and hobs - all this is strictly contraindicated in a refrigerator in close proximity. If you can’t at all arrange the pieces of kitchen equipment so as to take into account all the features, you need to try to meet the conditions that allow you to install a battery-powered refrigerator at a small indentation:

a household electrical appliance cannot be placed on the back wall of the heating device, and the side wall is also not recommended;
the side wall or door of the refrigeration unit should be at a minimum distance of half a meter, and preferably not in a straight line, but horizontally (in small-sized kitchens of some projects this is possible in the corner near the window, however, in this case the end will be near the pipe, so it must be distanced by distance of at least 30 cm);
it has been calculated that insufficient distance from the heating radiator, as a result of which the overall air temperature rises by approximately 5–6 °C, increases energy consumption by almost half, so the distance must be observed;
The distance from the battery can only be reduced with sufficient air circulation or special protective devices.

Refrigerator dimensions.

What should be the distance from the refrigerator to the battery?

On average, you need to maintain a distance of 50 centimeters, but this does not take into account many factors. But you also need to take into account:

Distance to ceiling and walls.
Room ventilation.
Dimensions.
Capacitor position.
The presence of partitions.
The influence of other thermal appliances.
Sunlight.

Each of these factors affects the minimum allowable distance. It is also worth considering the manufacturer and the specific model.

Important! Electricity consumption if placed incorrectly will be greater.

It should be taken into account

Problems with operating a refrigerator in the kitchen of a small apartment arise due to the inability to plan the space or soberly evaluate the purchased equipment. Considerations of prestige or reverence for brand names, as well as the desire to select household appliances based on a single color or design, lead to a common mistake.

This can be easily avoided by measuring the intended installation location and purchasing a refrigerator of suitable dimensions.

There are also important points - the class to which the purchase belongs (what temperature it can withstand), the location of the cooling system (it may not be located the same for different manufacturers, as a result of which the installation requirements will differ). These nuances affect the minimum distance from the refrigerator to the heating radiator (battery).

Well-established brands indicate the distance to certain household appliances that must be maintained. If you use minimal protective screens, the device can be placed near the hob or electric stove, removing it as far as possible from the battery.

Watch the video below on this topic.

Consequences of overheating refrigerator motor

Let's consider how such an unfriendly neighborhood can turn out when the refrigerator is located near the radiator? From the physics course we know that cold and heat should not interact. With the same success, in winter you can turn on the air conditioner for heating and open the windows wide open. The main disadvantage of such a neighborhood is overheating of the compressor. Freon circulates in the refrigerator circuits under pressure; it is necessary to cool the air inside the chamber, due to its transition from a liquid to a gaseous state. Freon is supplied to the condenser grille, due to which cooling occurs.

Negative consequences:

Overheating of the electric motor of the refrigeration appliance, since the condenser grille will overheat instead of cooling, the freon temperature will change;
Increased energy consumption as a result of constant operation of the device to maintain the set temperature;
Reducing the service life of the refrigeration unit.

It is not recommended to place the electrical appliance next to any heating element - gas stove, electric stove and microwave oven.

An important point is that if the device breaks down as a result of being close to the battery, it cannot be repaired under the warranty card. The rules for operating the device specified in the instructions will be violated, and you will have to repair the refrigerator at your own expense.

What could be the consequences of overheating?

If you install a refrigeration unit close to a stove or radiator, expect negative consequences. The freezer compartment with this placement will not preserve food well. The refrigerator itself may begin to leak. Due to the constant collision of warm and cold air in the corner behind the device, condensation will form, and then mold.

It is important to know! “If the refrigerator breaks down, the unit will be repaired under warranty only if the appliance is properly positioned. If the technician discovers that the device was not installed according to the rules, he will remove the warranty from it.”

While the refrigerator is standing near the battery, it will consume a lot of electricity. Such devices are not particularly economical anyway. Because of this arrangement, electricity bills will increase several times.

Way out

If the only possible place in the kitchen is next to the heating system, care should be taken to protect the appliance and extend its service life. There are several points that must be followed in order for the device to stand next to the battery:

Under no circumstances should the back wall be placed close to the heat source;
It is desirable that the battery occupies only part of the side wall for the normal functioning of the electrical appliance;
Make a partition or screen, place foil on top, and place it between the radiator and the refrigerator. This method will help insulate the heat. You can use self-adhesive penofol on the side wall of the electrical appliance. Foil serves to reflect heat flows, penofol serves to absorb heat.

The kitchen area in a small family usually does not exceed 5-6 m². For this reason, when purchasing household appliances, the question often arises whether it is possible to place refrigerators next to radiators. Expert advice will help you figure out how to install the device so that it does not clutter up the space and can still function normally.

Answer: You can place the refrigerator, but at a distance of at least 30 cm from the radiator, or close to it, but you need to install a heat-insulating partition.

Features of placing a refrigerator next to a radiator

Many people are interested in the question: why can’t you tolerate the proximity and place the refrigerator next to the radiator? There must be a protective barrier, which can be a simple plywood sheet, on top of which is a sheet of foil that reflects heat.

Many owners of small kitchens decide to use the space near the windowsill, although the exception is the refrigerator. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

It should not be installed in direct sunlight; it is important that the equipment is kept away from all devices with natural grounding, as this is not suitable for safety reasons. If there are no options, you need to fence it with a small wooden lattice.

Basic rules for location

Be sure to allow extra space: the back wall of the device should not be close to the battery, as the motor will not be able to work for a long time next to a hot radiator and will break. If possible, place the equipment sideways to the heating device. With this arrangement, the likelihood of breakdown is less.

Think about how to isolate the refrigerator from the battery. Usually in such cases it is advised to place a foil screen between the heating device and the back wall of the refrigerator, which is responsible for the cooling process. Its job is to reflect heat.

Additionally, before this, you can wrap the pipe with foil insulation. Usually the riser is located in the corner of the room, so when placing appliances in the kitchen you will have to think about how to protect the refrigerator from a heating radiator of this type. However, this needs to be done at the renovation stage, if you already have furniture arranged, it is much more difficult to get to the riser and close it carefully.

How to install a refrigerator to the radiator if there is no other way out

In very small apartments, sometimes there is not much choice for the location of large household appliances: there is simply no space in the hallway or in other rooms. And the only unoccupied space where equipment can fit is a square meter next to the heating device. In completely hopeless cases, you can still place the refrigerator next to the battery, but you must follow a strict set of rules to keep the device alive.

Basic rules for location

If the radiator is located far away, but the riser with hot water, on the contrary, is nearby, the pipe must be thermally insulated using materials designed for this purpose, which can be found in hardware stores. For example, one option is to make a plasterboard box with holes in the top around the riser (the heating cannot be completely closed, otherwise it will be cold in the kitchen). Then fill the voids inside the box with cotton wool. Additionally, before this, you can wrap the pipe with foil insulation. Usually the riser is located in the corner of the room, so when placing appliances in the kitchen you will have to think about how to protect the refrigerator from a heating radiator of this type. However, this needs to be done at the renovation stage, if you already have furniture arranged, it is much more difficult to get to the riser and close it carefully.

Material prepared by: Ekaterina Savenko

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General principles for placing household appliances in a small kitchen

Even if the unit is planned to be located in a small space, compliance with important rules must not be neglected:

The room must be regularly ventilated and maintain normal humidity levels.
The permissible distance between the top wall of the device and the ceiling is from 10 cm.
The appliance cannot be placed next to the stove; its side gets very hot, which can negatively affect the operation of the refrigerator. If you cannot move the unit to a safe distance, you need a thermal insulation partition. These requirements also apply to the oven.
The unit cannot be placed near a window. When exposed to direct sunlight, the device heats up. To cool the chamber to the required level, the refrigerator begins to work more intensely, consuming a significant amount of electricity. If the load on the engine is prolonged, it may wear out too quickly and fail.
The refrigerator is installed level or tilted back no more than 2 0C. In this case, the doors will close tightly.
The unit should not come into contact with other household appliances, otherwise the air circulation will be disrupted. The minimum gap between two devices is 5 cm.

To save space, you can purchase a refrigerator that is built into the kitchen unit. For such a device, a cabinet of appropriate dimensions is usually made. If the set is already ready, you can select the unit to match its parameters.

Stove next to refrigerator

The stove is the most dangerous neighbor for a refrigerator, especially if it is gas. Ideally, these two antipodes should be placed as far apart as possible. For this, in addition to the main reason (harmful heat), there are a couple of arguments against:

The refrigerator gets dirty intensively due to splashes of fat during cooking;
If the stove is located next to the refrigerator, then frying pans with handles and large pots will not fit on the burners closest to it.

What distance should be between the stove and the refrigerator? It is best to learn these standards from the instructions for a specific refrigerator model, since the recommendations of different manufacturers differ slightly. For example:

Bosch allows you to place the refrigerator next to a gas stove at a distance of 30 cm, and next to an electric stove or hob - at a distance of at least 3 cm.
Zanussi recommends placing the refrigerator next to the gas stove at a distance of at least 50 cm. Electric stoves and hobs can be placed at a distance of 5 cm.

But, as practice shows, in very small kitchens, for example, in Khrushchev-era apartments, it is difficult or even impossible to maintain the correct gaps. Therefore, many homeowners place the stove and refrigerator close to each other. Here are some photo examples of such kitchens.

So, what to do if the kitchen is very small and creating even a 3-centimeter gap seems impossible? We offer the following 6 solutions that will help solve the problem as a whole or on their own:

Stick a thermal insulation material, for example, Fomisol or Izolon PPE, on the wall of the refrigerator. This method is the simplest, most cost-effective and at the same time effective - the refrigerator can even coexist with a gas stove. All you need to do is: cut the material and carefully glue it (preferably the material is self-adhesive). An important nuance: the upper part of the refrigerator wall will continue to heat up a little, since heat tends to rise upward. But this problem can be easily solved if you always use a hood (read about it below).

Example of thermal insulation of a refrigerator next to the stove

Use a powerful hood. It captures most of the convective flows from the stove and thereby significantly reduces the heating of the refrigerator.
Build the refrigerator into the box. So the frame of the box will act as a barrier and take the “thermal shock” upon itself. In addition, it will protect the refrigerator body from splashes of grease and dirt. For best results, it is still worth gluing a layer of thermal insulation on the refrigerator.

Place a partition or screen between the refrigerator and the stove. The benefits of this method are still the same - protection from dirt and the creation of a barrier from heat. What can a screen or partition be made from? MDF panels, plywood, plasterboard, tempered glass (in combination with thermal insulation) are suitable. Here are a couple of photo examples.

Replace full-size appliances and sinks with smaller versions. This will allow you to gain precious centimeters and place the refrigerator and stove not end to end. Here's what you can do:

Replace the standard stove with a mini-stove with two burners. This way you can increase the distance between the refrigerator and the stove to 15-25 centimeters. As practice shows, two burners are 100% enough for an average family of 4 people.

Place a narrow refrigerator (up to 55 cm wide). Even a couple of freed centimeters will improve the situation.
Choose a small sink. Yes, it is not very convenient, but it is quite viable, especially if you have a dishwasher. By the way, sometimes you can create a small distance between the stove and the refrigerator by moving the sink.

In the end, the refrigerator can be moved into the hallway or adjacent living room.

Consequences of placing a refrigerator near a radiator

Manufacturers producing household appliances do not recommend placing the refrigerator in close proximity to the battery. Most often, this arrangement ends in failure of the unit. Normally, the motor starts and stops to maintain the set temperature. If the walls of the case are heated by the battery, the compartments become warm, and the refrigerator begins to work without interruption, trying to bring the microclimate in the chamber closer to the specified parameters.

Intense operation of the motor leads to increased energy consumption and damage to the compressor. Even if the equipment breaks down before the warranty period has expired, the service department may refuse to repair it due to violations of operating rules.

The increase in energy consumption of a refrigerator can increase by up to 20% if it is located close to a heating radiator. Install a heat insulation screen. If the unit covers the radiator, the room will become colder than expected.

Instructions for installing heating radiators

So, how to hang radiators correctly? You have purchased radiators and even decided exactly how they will be installed. Now you need to familiarize yourself with all the requirements of SNIP - and you can begin installation. It's actually quite simple.

And they really need to be followed - after all, if the radiator is installed incorrectly, if it breaks, repairs under warranty will be denied.

Heating radiator installation diagram

If you want to protect the device from scratches, dust and other damage that may occur during installation, then during the installation process you can not remove the protective film - this is allowed by the rules for installing radiators. The single most important requirement that must be strictly followed is strict adherence to the indentations necessary for normal circulation of heated air. Here are the rules for installing heating radiators to indentations put forward by SNIP:

According to current standards, the distance from the window sill or the bottom of the niche should be at least 10 cm. It should be taken into account that if the gap between the radiator and the wall is less than ¾ of the depth of the radiator, the flow of warm air into the room will be much worse.
Equally strict requirements are imposed on the installation height of radiators. How to properly place heating batteries? So, if the distance between the bottom point of the radiator and the floor level is less than 10 cm, then the outflow of warm air will be difficult - and this will negatively affect the degree of heating of the room. The ideal distance is 12 cm between the floor and the radiator. And if this gap is more than 15 cm, then there will be too large a temperature difference between the upper and lower parts of the room.
if the radiator is installed not in a niche under the window, but near the wall, then the distance between the surfaces should be at least 20 cm. If it is smaller, air circulation will be difficult, and in addition, dust will accumulate on the back wall of the radiator.

Installing heating radiators against the wall

In order to get maximum useful information regarding the installation of radiators, you can use our resource. You can find many valuable tips and recommendations on how to properly install a heating radiator.

Protection from harmful heat

If there is no other choice, and there is only one decision as to whether it is possible to place the refrigerator near the radiator, then you should place the household appliance in such a way as to minimize the damage from the heat. Some tips:

The unit cannot be placed with the rear wall facing the battery. This placement will damage the electric motor. It is better to install the side surface so that it covers only part of the battery and does not directly touch its surface.
It is desirable that the distance from the side surface to the battery is about 50 cm.
How to protect a refrigerator from a battery. There must be a heat insulator between the side surface of the unit and the battery. This could be a plywood partition covered with foil; isofol, foil to the battery; self-adhesive material penofol. It needs to be glued to a degreased surface, but not to the entire unit, but only where it is heated by a heat source. Penofol absorbs heat and protects the refrigeration unit from overheating.
If possible, you can buy a built-in one. It is usually purchased together with a set of kitchen furniture, otherwise it is difficult to choose the right size.

You can resort to a more radical method: remove the unit from the kitchen and install it in another room.

You can put it on the balcony if it is insulated and closed from hot sun rays in the summer. Place the unit in a pantry next to the kitchen. Even in the living room, sometimes they are forced to place it if there is no other place. Housewives don’t like the last option because they don’t want to constantly leave the kitchen to get groceries.

Alternative installation options

It is not advisable to place the refrigerator near the radiator, despite the available possibility. Even units with enhanced thermal insulation will not be able to operate normally due to a violation of the condenser cooling mode. It is better to find another place where it will be more comfortable for him to perform his functions. However, it is not advisable to place it near a window (especially one facing south), since the unit will be heated by the sun, which is also one of the heat sources mentioned in the instructions.

Thrifty owners use a pantry to place the refrigeration unit. Of course, this is inconvenient due to the constant shuttle flights for food, but increasing their service life is more important for them. If the pantry is adjacent to the kitchen, then the inconvenience is eliminated by creating an opening. Then the refrigerator door can be placed close to the kitchen wall.

If there is no suitable storage room, the refrigerator in small apartments is placed in the hallway. It is always located literally a couple of steps from the kitchen, so you don’t have to take the cross. Even closer in modern apartments is a balcony adjacent to the kitchen, on which a refrigerator can comfortably fit. Of course, it must be glazed.

In the worst case scenario, you have to put a refrigerator in the living room. This option will not cause delight, but it will free up much-needed space in the kitchen and increase the service life of the unit. In Khrushchev-era apartments, the living room is adjacent to the kitchen and the partition between them is not a solid wall, so by making an opening from the living room side, you can create a niche for the refrigerator.

The ledge in the living room is designed in accordance with the style of the room so that it does not look like a foreign object in the interior. When choosing this option, the refrigerator should be located away from the sleeping area, even if it is located behind a partition. At what distance to place the unit depends on how loud it makes noise when turned on and operating.

Sometimes on forums and social networks you come across statements that a refrigerator without any protection, standing close to the battery, works without breakdowns for more than 10 years. All that remains is to feel sorry for such people and ask why they do not complain about utility services that do not provide the proper temperature in the heating network.

Where should you not place a refrigerator in the kitchen?

In addition to locating the refrigeration unit near a heat source, it is not recommended to install it near a water supply. Water entering an electrical appliance may cause a short circuit. You should not place it too far, the main thing is to maintain a distance of 60 cm.

The option of locating the refrigeration unit near a window is also extremely undesirable. Exposure to direct sunlight also has a negative effect. The surface of the refrigerator overheats, and if the refrigerator’s thermal insulation is insufficient, heat from the heated surface is transferred into the chamber, which leads to continuous operation of the compressor.

Do not neglect the rules for operating an electrical appliance. Sometimes consumers trust messages on the forum that an electrical appliance lasts 5 years close to the battery and works like a clock without a single breakdown or thermal insulation. All cases are individual. Taking into account such messages, you must understand that the responsibility lies only with you. And only you have to pay for increased electricity costs or repairs of the unit.

It should be remembered that for some devices the thermal insulation of the chambers is far from ideal, and the warmer the air, the worse it performs its functions. In other words, the closer the refrigerator is to the heating source, the more heat will enter the refrigerator chamber. This will increase its operating time and increase energy consumption.

How to properly place a refrigerator in the kitchen

A prerequisite for purchase is the presence of a technical passport for the household appliance. The document describes in detail the technical characteristics and operating conditions.

Here are the basic operating rules that are mandatory for all models :

Avoid exposure to any external heat sources: sunlight, radiators, stoves or heating pipes. If this rule is not followed, the operation of the freezing system will be uneconomical.
Humidity levels in the room should not exceed 70-80%. Products of plant origin are stored at a humidity of up to 95%, products of animal origin - no more than 50%. This is important if you have to open the refrigerator door quite often.
The room temperature is also selected for a specific model. This indicator depends on the type of refrigerant used in the cooling system. In modern models, R134 freon is the most common. It begins to thicken at 0°C, so an unheated balcony is not suitable for placing a household appliance.
The back wall of the refrigerator should be at a distance of 7-10 cm from the wall of the room. This gap represents the so-called “air pocket”, which is necessary for proper operation.
Another important condition for operating a household appliance is the use of a safe power supply with grounding.

The optimal temperature in the room where the refrigerator is used is within +16...+32°C with a humidity of no more than 80%.

Another point is to install the device at a level, ensuring the correct tilt . By changing the height using the adjustable legs available in each model, the refrigerator is placed with a slope back, and the angle is calculated so that the door itself can close under its own weight.

Important. The maximum permissible and constant tilt of the unit is considered to be an angle of 15°. If it is tilted 40° or more, it will damage the compressor.

When installing in the kitchen, the layout of the room, design elements and technical requirements are taken into account.

There are generally accepted and standard ways of planning space for a refrigerator :

The most common option is a linear arrangement. The refrigerator is placed in the same row as the stove and sink. This configuration saves as much space as possible in the kitchen.
With a corner arrangement, the refrigerator is located in any free corner, separate from the sink and stove. Just make sure that the free movement of the door is at least 90°.
If the device is placed near the door, an additional zoning effect will occur. This option may require dismantling the door.
The installation method under the work surface is possible when using a small refrigerator (minibar). The household appliance is hidden in one of the lower cabinets of the kitchen furniture.
Sometimes it is installed in a wall niche, which is a pantry or closet. In this case, there will be room in the kitchen for an additional, for example, dining area.

Regardless of the location, watch how the refrigerator door will open after its final installation. The move should be easy and unhindered.

What to do if there are no other options

It is worth thinking about placing the refrigerator not in the kitchen, as usual, but in the living room, in the pantry, in the hallway or even on the balcony. Yes, it's not very convenient, but it's better than constant trips to the repairman. Moreover, the walk is not that far. If you need to place it in the kitchen, then you should create good conditions for cooling.

First, you need to make sure that the back wall is not close to the battery. It is better to place the refrigerator sideways or semi-sideways to the radiator.
Secondly, you need to come up with some kind of partition. This must be done to protect against thermal energy. The best material for the partition is foil.
Third, achieve a distance of 5–10 centimeters from the wall. This is necessary to ensure that the condenser is cooled due to good air circulation.
Fourthly, you need to ensure that the refrigerator is located as far as possible from heating equipment. A gas stove and microwave also generate heat. The further away they are, the less likely it is to overheat.
Fifthly, do not allow direct sunlight. To do this, it is often enough simply not to place it in front of the window.

All recommendations are aimed at minimizing risk. Even with careful adherence to them, there is a high probability of breakdown.

What to do if there is no other way out?

Minimum distance between the refrigerator and the radiator
It often happens that the kitchen in the apartment is so small that the option of moving the equipment to another room disappears immediately. The only place left is a small area where the battery is located, emitting heat.

If there is no other way out, then you can place the device next to the radiator.

It is important to observe the following nuances.

The rear wall cannot be located very close to the radiator. It is better when the hot air emitted by the heating system acts on the side surface.
In order not to interfere with the operation of the device, the distance should be 50 cm.
To prevent hot heating from stopping the operation of the refrigerator, a foil partition is installed between the compressor and the radiator.
If the apartment has a small kitchen, then it is not the entire battery that can be insulated, but the pipe through which warm water is supplied to the radiator. Special materials are used for this. However, this is not always possible, especially where all the furniture is already in place.
Another good option for insulating a refrigerator is to use penofol. This material is glued to that part of the surface of the unit that is susceptible to increased heat. The surface must be pre-degreased.

Alternative accommodation options

Knowing at what distance the refrigerator should be placed, and not wanting to violate the rules of its operation, residents of apartments with small kitchens can choose one of the alternative installation options:

If the apartment has a storage room, it is perfect for installing a refrigeration unit. The main condition for such placement is the presence of an electrical outlet in the closet to which the unit can be connected.
Place the refrigerator in the hallway or hallway. In this case, you need to ensure that the distance from the unit to the opposite wall allows residents and guests of the apartment to move freely along the corridor.
A glazed loggia or balcony adjacent to the kitchen and connected to it by a common doorway is perfect for placing large equipment. However, with this installation option, it is necessary to constantly monitor the humidity and air temperature in the room. Manufacturers allow the use of climate class N devices in the temperature range of +16...+32°C, and SN-T class models - from +10 to +43°C. A decrease or increase in the thermometer beyond the specified limits can cause unstable operation of the unit or its breakdown.
In a private house or a two-level apartment, a refrigerated cabinet will fit well into the free space under the stairs leading to the second floor. At the same time, it can be used in different ways: to focus on a free-standing device or to build closets and storage drawers next to it.
If none of the options are suitable, you can place the unit in the bedroom or family room. The proximity to modern household appliances cannot harm the health of the apartment’s inhabitants or disturb their sleep, since even when the compressor is on, the refrigerator operates quietly. The main problem that arises with this placement is how to successfully fit the refrigerator into the interior of the room.

Alternative options

A suitable option is a storage room, which is often cluttered with unnecessary things and supplies, and is used as a spacious closet. A method that only at first glance seems inconvenient. If the kitchen is small or close to the heating unit, place the refrigeration equipment in a separate room.

A good option is a loggia facing the kitchen, but there is one main condition - the presence of heating and a glassed-in room.

The small parameters of the apartment force us to introduce a second good option - install equipment in the hallway, because there are often niches in which cabinets and shelves are placed. And if the kitchen is next to the hallway, you won’t have to go far.

Another way out is to move the equipment to the hall, but this is a personal decision of the apartment owners - after all, the hall is considered a recreation area. But if there is a question about long-term use, it is easier to choose the option that suits you. If you live in a Khrushchev-era building, then the living room is a relatively good option - you can make a small niche into which the refrigerator will fit.