If you've been in the Airbnb or short-term rental (STR) business long enough, you've likely heard this one: "We just checked in, and the fridge isn’t cold."

It’s one of the most common guest complaints during check-in, and it’s happening more often than ever.

But here’s the real issue: This isn’t just an annoyance. It’s a safety, maintenance, and operational problem that operators must take seriously.

Why refrigerators struggle in short-term rentals

According to ServiceMaster Restore, refrigerators are one of the most likely appliances to cause a fire in residential settings. And if you think about how hard they're working in STRs, it's no surprise. Let’s break down the why:

1. Residential vs. commercial use
   Most STRs are using residential refrigerators in what amounts to a commercial hospitality environment. These fridges are designed to cool juice boxes, leftovers, and a few condiments, not handle 25, 50, or even 100 guest turnovers a year. They are not designed to run empty of food and liquids for extended periods.
2. Compressor capacity matters
   Residential fridges usually come with small compressors (between 1/10 and 1/3 horsepower). In contrast, commercial refrigerators feature much stronger compressors (between 1/3 and 1.5 HP) because they’re expected to perform under much greater strain and remain effective when empty. In a restaurant environment, commercial refrigerators are designed to be emptied after a dinner service and sit empty all night. The larger compressors and easily accessible air filters make doing this easy from an operational and maintenance standpoint.
3. The quick shift from no use to overuse 
   In rental properties, the residential fridge often goes from zero to one hundred. Then the guests arrive, dump in bags of warmer groceries, and open the door ten times in ten minutes. That little compressor goes into overdrive and starts pulling in dust through the rear coils. The more dust it collects on the coils, the harder the fridge has to work… and yes, that can eventually lead to overheating or fire.

How to get ahead of the fridge problem

You cleaners, maintenance technicians, and inspectors are in your properties most frequently. With their help, Airbnb hosts can effectively reduce refrigerator issues. Here are actionable steps for each of your field teams:

1. Cleaner-focused checklists

Customize Breezeway checklists to:

• Train cleaners to clean the fridge FIRST when they arrive so it has a longer opportunity to cool down!
• Ensure cleaners move quickly through the fridge cleaning process and close it immediately after cleaning.
• Label the correct thermostat setting (never just set to “coldest”).
• Confirm that any smells, leaks, or mechanical noise are reported on turnover.

Pro tip: Ask cleaners to leave behind cold gallons of water in the fridge.

Leaving the property empty for a while? Store as many gallons of water in the fridge as makes sense. That mass will help keep costs down and the fridge cold, and offer your guests a nice gift of bottled drinking water when they arrive.

2. Maintenance schedules

Fridge maintenance should not be reactive; it needs to be scheduled and preventative. With Breezeway, set automatic recurring maintenance tasks to:

• Pull out and inspect refrigerators twice a year.
• Clean the rear coils and vents thoroughly with a vacuum.
• Check plug condition and outlet safety.

3. Safety inspection reviews

Property inspectors or internal safety staff should:

• Keep an eye out on USCPSC recalls for refrigerators. There are recalls on fridges almost monthly in the US. Flag outdated fridges or known fire-prone models.
• Check for proper ventilation behind and around the unit.
• Discourage the use of garage “drink storage fridges” in hot, dusty environments.

What kind of fridge should you buy for your Airbnb?

Not all fridges are created equal, especially for STR use. Unfortunately, a refrigerator specifically built for STR use (a semi-commercial refrigerator) does not exist yet, but here are a few recommendations to help you make the best choice.

Avoid:

• In-door ice makers and water dispensers (they increase cooling demands and commonly fail).
• Units with unnecessary smart features that introduce more points of failure or guest confusion.
• Models with well-documented compressor issues over the past decade.

Consider:

• A separate ice maker for properties that have higher occupancy.
• Durable, energy-efficient refrigerators with strong compressor performance and minimal features.
• Brands known for reliability in light commercial settings, think Frigidaire Professional or select Whirlpool commercial-style models.

From a sustainability angle, it's also worth noting: Running 2 million STR fridges that are empty 40% of the year burns the equivalent of approximately 2,300 train cars of coal annually. That’s insane!

Reduce fridge complaints and safety hazards

If your guests are complaining about warm fridges, it’s not just a one-off issue. It’s a signal. A signal that your fridge isn’t suited for this job, or that your systems for managing it need help.

With the right setup, you can reduce complaints, improve safety, extend appliance life, and deliver a better guest experience. And with Breezeway, you’ve got the tools to make that happen.

So yes, your fridge should chill… Just not in all the wrong ways.