Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: My question concerns freezers. I have a small kitchen and want to buy a freezer and put it in the garage. The temperature in the garage varies with the San Antonio weather. Will temperature changes, especially severe heat, damage the freezer? Will temperature fluctuations affect cost of operation? - Ann Sanders, San Antonio, Texas

I took your question to two leading manufacturers of large appliances and both agree they wouldn’t recommend keeping a freezer in your garage.

You definitely will pay more in energy bills because of the heat in your long, hot summers. The compressor will run almost constantly, which will shorten the freezer’s life. The ideal temperature of a room for a freezer, for maximum efficiency, should be about 70 to 75 degrees. If you have more questions, most major manufacturers have toll-free phone numbers with help at the end of the line.

Just dial 1-800-555-1212 (800-number information) for their numbers. - Heloise