14
NORMAL OPERATING SOUNDS & SIGHTS
UNDERSTANDING THE SOUNDS YOU MAY HEAR
Your new high-efficiency refrigerator may make unfamiliar
sounds. These are all normal sounds and soon will become
familiar to you. They also indicate your refrigerator is operating
as designed. Hard surfaces, such as vinyl or wood floors,
walls, and kitchen cabinets may make sounds more
noticeable. Listed below are descriptions of some of the most
common sounds you may hear, and what is causing them.
A. Evaporator
The flow of refrigerant through the evaporator may
create a boiling or gurgling sound.
B. Evaporator Fan
You may hear air being forced through the refrigerator
by the evaporator fan.
C. Defrost Heater
During defrost cycles, water dripping onto the defrost
heater may cause a hissing or sizzling sound. After
defrosting, a popping sound may occur.
D. Automatic Ice Maker
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear ice cubes falling into the ice bin.
E. Cold Control & Defrost Timer or Automatic
Defrost Control
These parts can produce a snapping or clicking sound
when turning the refrigerator on and off. The timer also
produces sounds similar to an electric clock.
F. Condenser Fan
If condenser coils are located underneath your
refrigerator as shown in the drawing at the left, you
have a condenser fan. You may hear air being forced
through the condenser by the condenser fan.
G. Compressor
Modern, high-efficiency compressors operate much
faster than older models. The compressor may have a
high-pitched hum or pulsating sound.
H. Water Valve
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear a buzzing sound as the water valve
opens to fill the ice maker during each cycle.
I. Drain Pan (Nonremovable)
You may hear water running into the drain pan during
the defrost cycle. The drain pan will be located on top
of the compressor for air-cooled condensers (black coils
on back of refrigerator).
J. Condenser Coils (Fan-cooled models only)
May create minimal sounds from forced air.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
Rigid foam insulation is very energy efficient, but is not a
sound insulator.
IMPORTANT
During the automatic defrost cycle, you may notice a red
glow in the vents on the back wall of your freezer
compartment. This is normal during the defrost cycle.
