6 easy steps to make a fridge quiet.
I find a noisy fridge to be one of the most annoying things.I decided to research ways to quiet a noisy fridge because it is usually the compressor that gives off all this noise.
I look at some creative ways to make your refrigerator quieter, but also some advice on how to fix it.You need to be sure that the fridge isn't malfunctioning before you try to soundproof it.
It can be very annoying when you are just trying to relax at home, so finding ways to make your refrigerator quieter is understandable.It is worth trying to identify the source of the noise before covering it up.This noise could be an indication that something is broken or loose.
Fridges are usually noisy.If you have a combination fridge freezer, there is a lot going on inside to keep them cold.Identifying the cause of the noises a refrigerator makes is very useful.
One of the most common sources of noise is the compressor.It has a motor and a pump that moves the coolant throughout the refrigerator and also pushes the hot air out of the back as waste.
These are normal and generally make whirring or buzzing sounds.If you have a more modern energy efficient refrigerator, its compressor is designed to work long and low, so don't be surprised if it stays on for quite a while.
The only noises you need to be alarmed by when it comes to your refrigerator are angry ones.One of the most worrying signs for a fridge is not making any noise.
I am sure that you will find these noises annoying.If you live in a small apartment or house, a noisy refrigerator can be very annoying.
It is advisable to listen to the noises your fridge makes before taking any steps to soundproof it.Just confirm where they're coming from and that they match up to what I've described above, while you might be very familiar with them already.
If you don't know if the noises your refrigerator is making are normal, then you should get a professional to look at it.Increased noise can be a sign that parts are worn out or broken, meaning the whole fridge might need to be replaced.
You should pay attention to what is around the fridge, as this can affect the amount of noise it makes.A refrigerator on a tile floor will make less noise than a wooden one, as the floor surface makes a difference.
The most likely source of noise is the compressor.In the rest of the article, I look at ways to combat the majority of noises a fridge makes, but I will focus on the compressor.The back of the fridge is what you will be working with.
It should be easier to explain how to make a fridge quieter now that we have heard some of the general noises it makes.My top creative ways to do that.
One of the easiest problems to fix is this, so it is a good place to start.A lower density floor can cause a fridge to make more noise than usual.
The floor surface makes a big difference in the amount of noise.It is much harder to pass through tile than it is through wood.It pays to do something about this problem.
The first thing I would do is check the fridge's legs.Most refrigerators have legs that allow you to set them on your own.This could solve your problem in less than a minute.
Over time, as a result of the general use of these legs, they might come loose or move around.It would be worth checking them again if you set them correctly.
You can give your fridge a little rattle to do this.You need to adjust the legs if it moves.It would be great if someone else could rattle the fridge while you watch the legs or vice versa.
I wouldn't bother with a spirit level measure out here.Stable and even are not the same thing, and your refrigerator might not work if it is on a bad floor.The fridge shouldn't have any wobble to it if you pay attention to the legs.
If you have tried adjusting the legs and fridge is still vibrating on the floor, the next best thing to do is put it on a mat.There are specific products that can be used to make this more substantial than a normal rug.
Sound deadening mats are usually used in vehicle interiors to reduce the noise of engines.We are trying to solve that problem.
Hushmat or Dynamat are sound deadening mats that can be used in the home.Thermal insulation isn't something you need in this situation, so these are different from vehicle products.
They advise that their products can be used with home appliances.I put mats under every appliance in my house because they are useful for this job.
The mats are made of a dense material with little elasticity.It's great at absorbing sound waves.The mats are usually less than an inch thick.
Mass loaded vinyl and vehicle sound deadening mats can be used if you can't get hold of the household kind.Measure the size of your fridge or the floor underneath it, and then cut the mat to size.
One of the biggest challenges with trying to make a fridge compressor quieter is that you can only do so much.The rear of the refrigerator has a compression coil that releases excess heat energy.
This also means that they can't be covered up.Doing so will cause the compressor to overwork and cause it to break down.It is not the purpose of this exercise to have a broken refrigerator, so you will have to be more creative with your solutions.
Fix it to the wall rather than the back of the fridge.The gap between the fridge and the wall shouldn't be too big.Sound waves are very good at escaping sound.
Sound blocking and acoustic treatment solutions are recommended for this method.This is because you want to keep sound out of the air and into the wall.You need a combined approach.
Most of the noise produced by the compressor will be airborne, so you want to buy products that are going to trap the sound waves and prevent them from bouncing off the wall.Rockwool acoustic cavity wall insulation will work fine, as will something like acoustic foam panelling.
Adding a sheet of mass loaded vinyl to the wall behind the fridge will stop impact noises.Mass loaded vinyl doesn't pass on sound waves.It blocks them.
There is little you can do about the noise coming from behind the fridge.When you move to another room in the house, building this board should make a difference.It's a good idea to only hear sounds close to the fridge.
If you want to block the noises coming from the back of your fridge, move it into an alcove.The sound waves are trapped in a smaller space and have less chance of bouncing around the room.
You can soundproof not just behind the fridge, but around the sides as well.You can attach things to the sides of a fridge, but I would focus on the alcove.It will be easier to access the fridge if it breaks down.
Again, build a soundproof board similar to the one above, but build 2 more the same size.Leaving a gap between 1 and 2 inches around the whole refrigerator will allow air to still circulate, meaning it is less likely to heat up.
I recommend paying attention to your fridge for a day or two after it is installed in a new location.One of the advantages of soundproofing is that it improves thermal insulation.
A fridge needs air to flow around its coil in order to cool it.The chances of a fridge breaking down are going to increase if it is surrounded by acoustic insulation or foam tiles.
If you have done it right, you shouldn't have a problem.If things start getting too cold inside, or you can feel a lot of heat around it, pull it away from the wall.You might need to go back to the drawing board with your solutions.
Not everyone has a spare alcove in their kitchen.A shelving unit can be built around the refrigerator.For you to have some knowledge, it will require some space.
The purpose of building a unit around the fridge is to add more mass to the area in order to block more of the noise.If done correctly, this solution can be effective.
I am not going to talk about how to build a shelving unit, because it depends on the space you have available.You can watch the video below.This video shows how to build a fridge cabinet.The key is to soundproof the space around the fridge in the same way as I suggested, while leaving some room for proper air flow.The only thing you are doing is building an alcove that you can soundproof and store your fridge in.
Adding more mass to the structure is one of the benefits of building a unit like this.Heavy and dense objects are your best bet.
If your fridge causes the cupboards to vibrate, I would avoid things like pots, pans, and plates.That will make the issue worse.
Cleaning the condenser is a worthwhile option if you want to make it quieter.When you are dealing with a delicate structure, this sort of thing can make a big difference.
I wouldn't recommend taking your refrigerator apart unless you have an idea of what's going on.You might mess with something critical in the fridge.
If you open the back of your fridge, you could void the warranty, but you should assume it isn't that dirty.They might even provide a service for this kind of thing if you check your owner's manual for more information.
There is a helpful video for compressor coil cleaning.This video shows how to clean the refrigerator condensation coil.
It is likely that the rest of the condenser is also worn out.It's a common reason for it to get louder, so you might want to replace the whole unit.It might be worth getting a professional to do this.
The only problem with this is that it can be expensive to buy the condensers, which may make the whole exercise unviable.Why would you buy a part for an old fridge that costs the same as a new one?I would recommend making the upgrade if this is the case.
You can usually buy off-brand versions that fit most units, but they could void your warranty if you install these.These can be found online for less than $100.
If you feel confident enough, it is worth having a look inside the fridge to see if you can solve any of the problems with a bit of light cleaning.One of the easiest problems to solve is the noise from your fridge.
This would be your final attempt at making a fridge quieter.I don't think it's a good idea to put stuff in the fridge for space and hygiene reasonsAdding insulation might not help the issue since the noise will come from the back.
If you feel that the majority of the annoying noises are coming from inside the fridge, then you should try to make them quieter.This is the most helpful thing you could have done.
I would use mass loaded vinyl again.It adds density and weight, but is also quite thin considering how heavy it is.If you want to add anything to the fridge, turn it off and allow it to thaw.You want a clean surface.
If you decide to go for this option, I would recommend combining it with several others, because the noise from the back of the fridge will be very loud.This should make more of a difference if you just fix a bit of mass loaded vinyl to the wall.
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