Systems and methods of operating refrigerator appliances

An integrated side-by-side refrigerator system, comprising:

• a first refrigerated cabinet defining a freezer column;
• a second refrigerated cabinet defining a fresh food column, the first refrigerated cabinet and the second refrigerated cabinet collectively form the integrated side-by-side refrigerator system;
• a heater positioned within a wall of one of the first refrigerated cabinet and the second refrigerated cabinet;
• and
• a controller configured to constantly operate the heater during a side-by-side operating mode, the controller disposed within the one of the first refrigerated cabinet and the second refrigerated cabinet,
• wherein the first refrigerated cabinet and the second refrigerated cabinet are each a respective column unit.

A method of operating a side-by-side refrigerator system, comprising:

• receiving, at a controller, a signal indicative of activation of the side-by-side refrigerator system;
• determining, at the controller, an operating mode of the side-by-side refrigerator system;
• and
• adjusting, at the controller, an operating state of a heater positioned within a wall of the side-by-side refrigerator system,
• wherein the first refrigerated cabinet and the second refrigerated cabinet are each a respective column unit,
• wherein the operating mode of the side-by-side refrigerator system is configured for constantly operating the heater during the side-by-side operating mode.