The job: a Sub-Zero BI-36UID built-in refrigerator
Last updated:
Case Study · Sub-Zero Refrigerator Not Cooling · Seattle, WA
Sub-Zero refrigerator not cooling in Seattle: a refrigerant leak, a new compressor and evaporator.
This Sub-Zero refrigerator in Seattle wasn’t cooling: a BI-36UID/S/PH 36-inch built-in, made in June 2019. The refrigerator section couldn’t hold temperature and ice was building up inside it. The cause was a refrigerant leak in the refrigerator’s sealed system. We replaced the compressor and evaporator with genuine Sub-Zero parts and recharged the system. Real photos from the job below.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Sub-Zero BI-36UID/S/PH built-in refrigerator, built June 2019
- Symptoms: refrigerator not holding temperature, ice building up inside
- Cause: refrigerant leak in the refrigerator’s sealed system
- Repair: new compressor, evaporator & filter-drier (genuine Sub-Zero), recharged with R134a
- Diagnosed & repaired by Max, EPA Section 608 certified
Licensed & Insured
1-Year Sub-Zero Warranty
Owner-Operated
What happened
From a Sub-Zero refrigerator not cooling to one that holds temperature
The complaint
This Sub-Zero BI-36UID/S/PH is a 36-inch built-in with the refrigerator on top and a freezer drawer below. The rating plate dates it to June 2019. The refrigerator section had stopped holding temperature, and ice was building up inside it.
The diagnosis
The refrigerator’s sealed system had leaked refrigerant. This model keeps the refrigerator and freezer on separate refrigerant systems — the rating plate lists a separate R134a charge for each, 3.50 oz and 5.50 oz — so one side can fail while the other keeps running.
The fix
We installed a new compressor, refrigerator evaporator, and filter-drier, all genuine Sub-Zero parts. We brazed them into the sealed system and recharged it with R134a. The repair carries our 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Real photos
This job, start to finish
Refrigerator section emptied out to reach the evaporator
The new evaporator coil on the back wall
Machine compartment open, gauges on the sealed system
Recharged and running, gauges still connected
New evaporator in place, its line insulated
Rating plate: BI-36UID/S/PH, June 2019, R134a
Why choose us
Why Seattle homeowners call Ace Appliance Service for Sub-Zero refrigerator repair
Repair vs. replace, honestly weighed
Sub-Zero built-in refrigeration can last 20–35+ years, far longer than a standard refrigerator. On a built-in that fits its cabinetry, a sealed system repair is often worth weighing against replacement — see our repair-or-replace guide.
Certified for sealed system work
Opening refrigerant lines, brazing, and recharging requires EPA certification. Max is EPA Section 608 Type I certified, the certification that covers household refrigerators and freezers.
Genuine Sub-Zero parts, 1-year warranty
WA Contractor #ACEAPAS774K6. This repair used only genuine Sub-Zero parts and is backed by a full year on parts and labor. See our Sub-Zero repair page for more.
Questions
Sub-Zero refrigerator not cooling in Seattle: FAQ
Do you repair Sub-Zero refrigerators that aren’t cooling in Seattle?
Yes — this case study is a Sub-Zero refrigerator that wasn’t cooling in a Seattle home. We serve Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bellevue, Mercer Island, and the rest of King and Snohomish County.
Are you a Sub-Zero authorized service provider?
No. Ace Appliance Service is an independent repair company, not a Sub-Zero factory-authorized servicer. If your Sub-Zero is still under its factory warranty, contact Sub-Zero first. Outside that warranty, we repair it with genuine Sub-Zero parts, and Sub-Zero repairs carry our 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Is it worth replacing the compressor on a Sub-Zero refrigerator?
Often, yes. Sub-Zero built-in refrigeration can last 20–35+ years, and replacing a built-in can mean cabinetry work too. This one was about 7 years old, so a new compressor and evaporator made more sense than a new refrigerator. See our repair-or-replace guide for how to weigh it.
How much does a Sub-Zero compressor and evaporator replacement cost?
It depends on the model and what else in the sealed system needs work. We diagnose the exact cause on-site first, then give a clear price before any repair begins.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, Ace Appliance Service LLC is licensed and insured to work in Washington State. WA contractor license #ACEAPAS774K6.
What areas do you serve?
King and Snohomish County, including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Kenmore, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Clyde Hill, and Medina.
Common Sub-Zero refrigerator problems
Why is my Sub-Zero refrigerator not cooling?
There are several possible causes: a dirty condenser, a failed fan, a defrost problem, a control issue, or a refrigerant leak in the sealed system. On this Seattle Sub-Zero it was a refrigerant leak, and the fix was a new compressor and evaporator. For a simpler cause, see our Sub-Zero condenser cleaning case study.
Why is my Sub-Zero freezer cold but the refrigerator warm?
Many Sub-Zero built-ins keep the refrigerator and freezer on separate refrigerant systems. This BI-36UID’s rating plate lists a separate R134a charge for each section, so a leak on the refrigerator side can leave the refrigerator warm while the freezer keeps working.
Why is ice building up inside my Sub-Zero refrigerator?
Ice inside the refrigerator section usually means the evaporator isn’t working the way it should. That can be a defrost problem or a sealed system problem such as low refrigerant. On this job it came with a refrigerator that couldn’t hold temperature, and the cause was a refrigerant leak.
Ready when you are
Sub-Zero not holding temperature? Let’s find out why.
Call now for the fastest response, or send us a few details and we'll call you back within one business hour.
(425) 533-0823 Call Now · Same-Day ServiceMon–Fri, 8am–6pm