For a long time, food has been stored using many traditional and inefficient ways that might have worked for a short while but not long term. This is why the invention of the refrigerator was so celebrated and is perhaps one of the most important inventions till date.
Of course, no invention ever was flawless since we humans ourselves are full of it. Therefore, let us figure out why refrigerators tend to be so loud sometimes—one of the flaws of this invention—and learn many more facts regarding it.
Why is my refrigerator so loud?
The most prominent reason for a refrigerator to be loud is a dirty compressor. Apart from that, uneven position, items too close to the fridge’s wall, faulty or frozen fan blades, damaged motors, clogged water inlet valves, etc. are some of the reasons that your fridge is so loud.
Reasons behind refrigerators being loud might be because of multiple reasons. It ranges from the noise being completely normal to the possibility of something wrong with your fridge. Some of the reasons are discussed below:
When it runs
Dirty compressor:
A dirty compressor is one of the most common reasons for a refrigerator to make noises louder than usual.
A compressor’s work is to dispel the heat generated inside the fridge. When it gets dirty and clogged with dust, the action becomes harder for the compressor and it ends up making more noise than necessary.
Blocked or damaged fan blade:
Fan’s work is to draw cool air from the front grille to the condenser coils before going over the compressor and then again back out the front grille.
The whole process regulates the temperature of the fridge and if the blades of the fan get frozen or damaged, it tends to make noises. Unfortunately, it cannot be checked without opening the whole fridge.
Problems in the motors:
Motors inside the fridge control the on and off modes while regulating the cooling process of the fridge. There are motors for the condenser fan and evaporator fan. When there are problems with them, they tend to make a loud humming and buzzing noise.
When it turns on
Uneven refrigerator:
Refrigerators are appliances that have motors and parts running, humming, and buzzing almost the whole time. As a result, the fridge is always vibrating and in motion.
If the fridge is standing unevenly, the small vibrations and motions cause excessive noise that becomes too annoying and unavoidable.
Items touching the refrigerator wall:
The slight vibrations of the fridge due to the inner working of the fridge causes the items kept inside the fridge to tremble minutely as well.
When the items kept in the refrigerator are touching the wall of the refrigerator, due to the vibration and the items touching the wall, they create loud thumping and ticking noises.
Normal:
Large appliances like fridges have many small parts in them that are almost working all day to keep the appliance running.
Motors, fans, compressors, water valves, and so on are always running and making minute humming and gurgling noises. These noises are quite normal and show that your fridge is working just fine.
At night
Normal:
Fridges are appliances that have all kinds of parts working to make the appliance work and keep the food frozen and fresh. These parts make steady, humming, and gurgling noises almost all the time.
This is completely normal and a sign that your fridge is in top condition and working just fine.
Water inlet valve:
Water inlet valves don’t work all the time and work only at specific times. As a result, whenever it draws water, it makes a minute gurgling or buzzing sound.
However, if the line becomes clogged, or faulty, or if the filter hasn’t been replaced in ages, the valve ends up making loud noises that might disrupt peace.
Condenser coil tubes:
Sometimes, the condenser tubes get bent enough to touch each other and cause noise. This noise mainly comes from the back and sounds metallic. Another reason for the fridge to make noise is if the condenser tubes get faulty or damaged due to being bent.
Should I be worried if my fridge is loud?
No, fridges making noises that might appear loud to many are quite normal and should not be a reason to raise concern.
Refrigerators have compressors that, along with the evaporator unit, work all the time to dissipate the heat and regulate the temperature. As a result, it hums constantly.
Additionally, there are motors and fans that also regulate air and that help keep the temperature of the fridge low by dispelling the heat from the fridge. These too make noises that can become a constant buzz.
The water inlet valve doesn’t work all the time but when it’s active, there is a slight gurgling noise and all these noises are normal, even though they might appear loud sometimes.
However, if the noise is too loud, loud enough to be heard from another room, it might be concerning and should be checked by a professional technician.
How do I stop my fridge from getting loud?
You can follow the steps given below to stop your fridge from getting loud –
Level the unevenness:
Fridges come with adjustable legs.
This is because, as an appliance that is run by the group work of many more small parts that tends to make clicking, whirring, buzzing, and many more noises throughout the whole day, these parts also make the fridge tremble slightly.
These constant minute motions of the parts like compressor, fans, motors, et cetera make the fridge vibrate as well which then makes noises. These noises are even magnified if the fridge is standing unevenly.
A quick solution is to adjust the legs so the fridge is level and isn’t making sounds.
Avoid placing items too close to the fridge wall:
As mentioned above, due to the constant working of the small parts inside the fridge—the fans, motors, condenser unit, water inlet valves, and so on. Fridges are always in constant motion.
When the items kept in the fridge are placed so that they’re in contact with the walls of the fridge, the trembling of the fridge makes the items collide, though mildly and minutely with the wall of the fridge and make loud noises.
We can solve it by remembering to keep some distance between the items and the wall of the fridge.
Check for fan blades and compressors:
Fans and condenser units are crucial for temperature regulation and if they’re dirty, faulty, or frozen, they create noises that tend to be loud.
Checking or fixing fans and compressors is not for someone without expertise in these works so it is better to call a professional.
However, if the fan blades are frozen, we can simply use a hairdryer to melt the ice after turning the power off and removing the items close to the vent.
Similarly, the condenser coils—present under the fridges mostly—can be opened from the inside after turning the power off and washed very carefully with soap and water.
Keep the water filter clean:
If the noise is due to a clogged water inlet valve, one can clean the filter to avoid minerals clogging it and causing the noise.
How much does it cost to fix a loud refrigerator compressor?
The compressor is the most important part of a refrigerator and tends to cost a good amount to be replaced or repaired. Which is why the replacement or repair of a compressor ends up costing a lot.
The price can almost be the same as the original price of the refrigerator itself, which does not make the replacement work of a compressor worth it.
However, if someone desires to do it, below is a list of prices of compressor replacement along with labor costs for different brands and companies –
Whirlpool refrigerator:
The replacement or repair of compressors in an old fridge ends up costing more than half the original price of the fridge. But to repair or replace a compressor of a new Whirlpool refrigerator will range from $500-$1,000.
GE refrigerator:
The average price of a GE refrigerator repair averagely costs $200-$300.
LG refrigerator:
According to experts, if the fridge is more than 8 years old, it is better to buy a new fridge than to go for repair work. However, repairing or replacing the compressor would cost $316.95.
Frigidaire refrigerator:
Along with labor costs, the price for repairing Frigidaire refrigerator compressors ranges from $250 to $650. Sometimes, it can be more.
Maytag refrigerator:
The price of replacing or repairing the Maytag refrigerator compressor costs between $475.72 and $759.17.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many reasons your fridge might be loud. It ranges from the fridge being old, and standing unevenly to faulty, frozen, or damaged small parts—fan blades, motors, condenser, evaporator units, and so on. The noises are sometimes completely normal.