A constant hum in the kitchen can unsettle even the calmest person, especially if you like to cook in the evenings or relax in the living room adjacent to the kitchen. Refrigerator noise often becomes a source of irritation, interfering with normal communication or watching TV. In modern apartments, where space is limited, this unit is located close to rest areas, so the problem of acoustic comfort is acute.
Before looking for ways how to make a refrigerator quieter, you need to understand the nature of sound. The source can be not only compressor, but also vibration of the housing, improper installation, or even bursting refrigerant. Ignoring the problem can lead to more serious damage if the hum is caused by a malfunction of internal mechanisms. In this article we will look at proven methods for reducing noise levels.
Often, equipment owners are faced with a situation where a new appliance operates silently, and after a few years it begins to hum. This is due to natural wear of parts, drying out of lubricant or loosening of fasteners. Reducing the noise level by 5-10 dB is possible even without replacing expensive components, if you approach the diagnosis correctly. It is important to act consistently so as not to disrupt the operation of the cooling system.
Diagnostics of the noise source and its nature
The first step should always be an accurate diagnosis. You can’t just seal the compressor or fill it with oil without understanding what exactly makes the sound. The nature of the noise It can be different: humming, rattling, gurgling or knocking. Each of these sounds indicates a specific problem. For example, a monotonous hum often comes from the motor itself, and rattling comes from the vibration of tubes or the housing.
Listen carefully to where the sound is coming from. If the bottom is humming where compressor unitis located, the problem may be vibration of the casing or fastenings. If the sound comes from above or behind, the condenser tubes or rear grille may be vibrating. Sometimes even the floor on which the refrigerator stands becomes a source, resonating with the frequency of the motor.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any diagnostics, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Working with live electrical appliances is life-threatening. Also let the unit cool down if it has just been running.
To accurately determine the location of the vibration, you can use a simple method: put your hand on different parts of the housing (carefully so as not to get burned on the hot tubes) and feel where the vibration amplitude is maximum. It often turns out that casing vibration is transmitted to nearby objects or cabinets, increasing the overall background noise.
Checking the correct installation of the refrigerator
One of the most common causes of excess noise is a banal violation of installation rules. If the refrigerator is not level, its body warps, which leads to distortion of the internal mechanisms and increased vibration. Adjusting the legs is the first thing to do. Make sure that all four supports are firmly in contact with the floor.
Use a building level to check that it is level. If it is not there, you can use the “door opening” method: in a properly installed refrigerator, the door, open to 45 degrees, should close on its own or remain in place, but not move further. Incorrect tilt angle can cause humming and problems with the tightness of the seal.
Pay attention to the distance to the walls and furniture. The rear radiator grille should not touch the wall, otherwise the vibration will be transmitted to the structure of the house, creating resonance. The minimum distance should be 5-10 cm. Also check that the sides of the refrigerator do not touch kitchen set. Even a light touch can turn a quiet hum into a loud rattling sound.
Elimination of vibration of the compressor and fasteners
The most powerful sound source is compressor. Over time, the rubber shock absorbers on which it is attached dry out and lose their elasticity. As a result, the metal casing of the motor begins to vibrate more strongly and transmit vibrations to the housing. Replacing or restoring these gaskets is an effective way to reduce noise.
To do this, you need to remove the rear metal panel (crankcase) covering the compressor. You can often see rubber washers or bushings inside the casing. If they harden, you can replace them with new ones or use pieces of thick rubber cut to size. The main thing is not to use a material that is too soft, which will shrink under the weight of the motor, or too hard, which will not absorb vibration.
☑️ Checking the compressor mounts
Also check the tightness of the bolts holding the compressor itself and the metal casing. Loose bolts cause rattling noise. However, they should not be overtightened either, as this may damage the threads or deform the motor housing. Sometimes it helps to install additional vibration insulation between the casing and the frame of the refrigerator, for example, using self-adhesive vibration tape for cars.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to lubricate a running compressor with oil through the holes in the casing! This may cause a short circuit or fire. Lubrication of internal mechanisms is possible only under service conditions.
Insulation of tubes and elimination of rattling
Often the source of annoying ringing is the copper tubes of the cooling system. When the compressor operates, they vibrate and may touch each other or the walls of the housing. This metallic clang can be heard far beyond the kitchen. To fix it, you need to carefully, trying not to damage the thin metal, separate the tubes from each other.
Use plastic clamps or special dampers to fix the tubes in a stationary position. If the tubes touch the body, you can place a piece of foam or rubber between them. It is important not to pinch the tubes, since it circulates inside refrigerant under pressure, and a violation of the integrity will lead to freon leakage.
Another source of sound is the capillary tube. It can resonate with the frequency of the motor. In some models, it simply lies on the compressor or is attached to it. Check its fastening. If it dangles, carefully secure it with a clamp or soft wire wrapped in insulation to remove resonant frequency.