Correct installation of household equipment is the foundation its long and silent operation. Many owners of new appliances Atlant make the mistake of believing that it is enough to simply bring the unit into the kitchen and plug it into an outlet. However, ignoring installation rules can lead to increased noise, vibration, excessive energy consumption and even compressor breakdown in the future.
It is especially critical to follow the installation technology for two-chamber models, where the load on the frame and door hinges is specifically distributed. If you want yours Atlant refrigerator to serve for decades without complaints, you need to pay attention to choosing a location, leveling it and ensuring the correct temperature conditions when you first start it up. Let's look at this process step by step.
Choosing the ideal place to place the equipment
The first thing a competent installation begins with is choosing a location. Double-chamber models Atlant require free space around the body for effective heat dissipation. The condenser, usually located on the rear wall or in the base, must be washed with air. If the equipment is built into a niche or pressed tightly against the wall, the heat exchange will be disrupted, which will cause the compressor to wear out.
It is strictly not recommended to place the unit in close proximity to heat sources. This could be a gas stove, oven, radiator, or a place where direct sunlight falls. Even if the model is equipped with a system No Frost, external thermal influence will cause the temperature sensors to record false readings, increasing the frequency of switching cycles.
⚠️ Attention: The minimum distance from the back of the refrigerator to the wall should be at least 7-10 cm. A gap of 5 cm must also be left on the sides for air circulation.
It is important to take into account the floor covering. Linoleum, tiles or laminate must be smooth. If the floor has a clear slope, leveling with legs may become impossible, which will lead to the doors being skewed and the seal being compromised. In such cases, it is sometimes necessary to first level the floor area or use a lining under one of the support legs, although the latter option is not always aesthetically pleasing.
Transportation and preparation for installation
Before starting adjustments, the equipment must be properly prepared. If the refrigerator has just been delivered from the store in winter, it must be given time to warm up to room temperature. A sudden start-up after a frost can cause moisture condensation inside the electrical circuits and damage the compressor oil.
Remove all transport elements. This may include tape holding doors in place, foam padding between drawers, and plastic brackets on the compressor (in some older models). Make sure that there are no foreign objects inside the chambers that could interfere with the free movement of the shelves or damper cooling system.
Inspect the housing for dents. Even slight deformations of the frame can make it difficult to install the doors in the correct position. If you notice that the door does not fit tightly already at the unpacking stage, you may need to adjust the hinges, but first you need to position the body itself strictly vertically.
How long should you wait before turning it on after winter delivery?
If the refrigerator was brought in from frost below -5°C, let it stand in a warm room for at least 3-4 hours, or better yet, a day. This is necessary to restore the viscosity of the oil in the compressor and evaporate the condensate.
Adjusting the support legs and leveling
The most critical stage is leveling. The two-chamber Atlant must stand perfectly level. Use a bubble level to check. It must be applied both to the top cover (from left to right) and to the side wall (from front to back).
Height adjustment is carried out using the front support legs. They usually have a threaded connection that allows them to be unscrewed to increase the height, or tightened to decrease it. The rear legs are usually non-adjustable or have less travel, so the brunt of the leveling load falls on the front.
- 🔧 Take a wrench or use your hand to rotate the front leg adjustment pin.
- 📏 Constantly check the position of the level bubble after each half turn of the leg.
- 🔄 Make sure that all four corners of the case fit tightly to the floor and do not wobble when pressed lightly.
There is an important nuance: many experts recommend installing the refrigerator with a slight tilt back (about 2-3 degrees). This is necessary so that the doors close independently under the influence of gravity if they are released in a half-open state. If the doors open on their own or do not reach the end, it means that the front legs are twisted too much or, conversely, not enough.
☑️ Checking stability
Organization of gaps and ventilation
The efficiency of the compressor directly depends on the quality of heat removal. In two-chamber models Atlant a static or combined defrosting system is often used, which requires a stable temperature regime in the condenser. If there is nowhere for hot air to escape, it begins to circulate around the back wall, heating the refrigerator itself.
Pay attention to the top of the unit. There should be at least 30 cm of free space above the refrigerator. If you plan to install a shelf or microwave oven on top, make sure that this will not block the flow of warm air. Built-in models require ventilation grilles in the base and upper part of the furniture box.
| Parameter | Minimum value | Optimal value | Consequences of violation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gap rear | 5 cm | 10 cm | Compressor overheating |
| Gap on the side | 2 cm | 5 cm | Heating of the side walls |
| Top | 10 cm | 30 cm | Poor circulation |
| Front | 50 cm | 100 cm | Inconvenient to open |
Do not forget that during operation the side walls of the refrigerator may heat up. This is normal for many models, as there are often defrost pipes running there or simply radiating heat from the condenser. However, if the clearances are maintained, heating should not be critical.
First start-up and temperature adjustment
After the case is leveled and checked for stability, you can proceed to the first start-up. Don't load products right away. An empty refrigerator must operate for several hours to reach operating mode and stabilize the temperature in all chambers.
Set the temperature regulator to the middle position. For most models Atlant this is a number 3 or position Normal on the mechanical thermostat. If you have electronic control, set the temperature +4°C for the refrigerator compartment and -18°C for the freezer.
⚠️ Attention: Do not immediately set the minimum temperature (maximum cooling). This will create an excess load on the compressor at the first start, when the oil has not yet been distributed evenly throughout the system.
Allow the unit to operate without load for about 2-4 hours. During this time you will be able to assess the noise level. Slight humming and gurgling sounds from the refrigerant are normal. However, strong vibration or knocking may indicate that the refrigerator is not level or is touching the back wall of interior items.
Typical installation errors and their consequences
Even following the instructions, users often make mistakes that shorten the life of the equipment. One of the most common is ignoring the slope of the floor. If the floor is crooked and the legs are twisted unevenly, the frame becomes skewed. Over time, this leads to the door warping, the seal no longer fits, and the “fur coat” begins to freeze in the chamber.
Another mistake is installing the refrigerator close to the furniture without taking into account thermal expansion. When heated, the metal body may slightly change its geometry. If there is no gap, the refrigerator will rest against the cabinet, transmitting vibration to all the furniture, which creates an unpleasant resonating hum in the kitchen.
- ❌ Installation next to the radiator without a heat-insulating screen.
- ❌ Ignoring transportation bolts (if a particular model has them).
- ❌ Trying to level the refrigerator by placing cardboard or rags under the legs (they will crumple and the appliance will warp again).
It is also worth mentioning the electrical network. Connect Atlant refrigerator only to a working outlet with grounding. Using cheap extension cords or tees is a direct path to a fire or failure of electronics during a power surge.
Why does the refrigerator vibrate after installation?
Most often the reason is that one of the legs does not touch the floor. Check stability by rocking the unit. If the vibration persists with an ideal installation, the compressor may need to be replaced or adjusted.
Does it need to let the refrigerator sit after transportation in the summer?
Yes, even in the warm season it is recommended to let the appliance stand for 1-2 hours before turning it on. This is necessary to stabilize the pressure in the system and drain oil into the compressor crankcase, which may have become agitated during transportation.
Can the refrigerator be placed on a carpeted floor?
Not recommended. Carpet pile prevents normal air circulation at the base (if ventilation holes are located there) and can cause distortion. In addition, the carpet absorbs moisture when defrosting. It is better to use a rigid backing.
What to do if the doors do not close tightly after installation?
Check if anything inside is in the way (packaging, edge of the shelf). If the inside is clean, try unscrewing the front legs a little to increase the tilt of the body back. If this does not help, the seal may be damaged or the hinges need to be adjusted.
How to understand that the refrigerator is positioned correctly?
Signs of correct installation: the level bubble is strictly in the center, the doors open and close smoothly without effort, when released in a half-open state (up to 30-40 degrees) the door itself is attracted, there is no vibration of the body during operation compressor.