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Are
the sounds from your new refrigerator driving you crazy?
Does it sound loud, noisy, weird, strange,
unusual, funny, or about to break? If so, then read on.
Firstly, if you hear an unusual sound
originating from your new refrigerator try to isolate
the source. This simple act will quite often lead you to the culprit. It
may also lead you to the realization that it's simply an idiosyncrasy of
modern refrigeration systems. Today's refrigerators can make a wide variety
of unusual sounds. This is a result of both the new ozone friendly
refrigerants, and the complexity of the refrigerators
now being manufactured. To help you in your quest to find the
source of the noise we offer the following list of some of the weird
sounds your
refrigerator may be producing:
1 ... Ice Cracking
Probably ice being ejected from the icemaker into the ice
storage bucket. Because most icemakers produce ice at the same
time every day suspect this source if the sounds always occur at
the same time of day.
Or the heating elements in the defrost system may be removing the
ice buildup off the cooling coils. This sound is usually
accompanied by a hissing sound as the electric heater in the
freezer section begins to defrost the cooling coils.
2 ... Ice Cracking 2
If you have an ice storage bucket you may be
hearing the ice cracking or snapping as it expands. Primarily
heard during the summer, and shortly after the freezer door has
been opened. Warm air invaded the ice bucket and caused some of
the ice cubes to crack due to expansion.
3 ... Water Running
Probably hearing the icemaker filling.
Usually heard every four to six hours. Should only have a duration
of about 30 seconds.
4 ... Water Bubbling
Some times described as the sound of a
fountain. Primarily heard on refrigerators with a water dispenser.
May be the water storage bladder inside the refrigerator section.
Usually hidden behind a crisper or shelf. The bladder pre-cools a small
amount (one or two glasses) of water so the water dispensed is not
too warm. Can be caused by an air bubble within the bladder, or the
sudden warming of the bladder itself. Sudden warming can cause the
water to bubble. Sometimes heard when standing with the
refrigerator section door open.
5 ... Water Dripping
The defrost system may be operating. If
accompanied by hissing, you’re hearing water hitting the
defrosting elements. Water dripping sound often heard as the
result of water flowing off the cooling coils during defrost, and
down the drain tubing. Sometimes accompanied by a gurgling noise.
These sounds are normal.
6 ... Gurgling
Primarily the sound of refrigerant
evaporating (boiling) as it enters the cooling coils. Usually
heard just after the refrigerator starts or stops. This is a
normal sound for modern refrigerators. In extreme cases may
require the addition of sound-adsorbing materials.
7 ... Whistling
An interior fan has turned on. The air moves around the interior of many
refrigerators even when the refrigeration system is not operating. The
air is being moved from a cold area to a warmer area. It's an
energy saving method that eliminates the need to start the compressor simply because one
area needs more cooling.
8 ... Whirring
Associated with the redistribution of cold
air within the refrigerator. It's probably the door to an air
chute damper being opened to allow air to pass through. Often described
as a whirring or ticking noise, it's the sound produced by a
small electrical motor used to open the damper.
9 ... Air Blowing
As described above a fan has turned
on. Often heard within
the freezer section. Air noises are also more irritating because
fan motors are now quieter than in the past. Consumers are use to
the sound of air moving when it’s accompanied by a fan motor
sound. When they only hear the air moving they find it an unusual
sound.
Once
you have isolated the source of the sound you can then decide
whether you require service. Generally, the answer is, no. Most
consumers simply want to be assured that the noise is normal. Or
that it’s not a symptom of a future problem. But in the end you are the person
who will be living with this refrigerator for the next ten years.
It's your decision.
By
Donald Grummett
Copyright
© 2006 Donald Grummett. All rights reserved
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