REFRIGERATORS
No refrigerator is perfectly quiet. Refrigerators are quirky appliances with fans in many places, and those that have icemakers have even more ways to make little noises, including the "clunk!" when an ice cube falls out and hits the bucket. However, we can say the following:
In general, more recent models of refrigerators are quieter than older models, especially those that meet energy efficiency standards. In the past, most refrigerators used fiberglass insulation, which did little to muffle fan sounds emanating from the inside. In the mid-1990's more stringent efficiency rules were introduced for refrigerators. In 2001 they were made even more strict. Nowadays almost all refrigerators use foam injection in the door and side panels to increase insulation. This has the added effect of reducing the amount of sound leaking out. Also, to make refrigerators more energy efficient, the compressors had to be downsized. This reduced the amount of noise they make. Some higher-end models go so far as to insulate the compressor.
The moral of the story is, if you want a quiet refrigerator, look for models that are rated as energy efficient and that use insulation to dampen the compressor.
Again, you can't expect a refrigerator to be perfectly silent, even the ones that try to be. Two refrigerators of the same exact model may have different levels of sound, and the accoustics of the spaces they go into can vary wildly. That said, the following brands pay special attention to quiet operation:
• Viking (the ProChill™ Temperature Management System features a quiet compressor).
• Thermador (they claim to have the quietest refrigerator on the market).
• Kitchen Aid (look for models with the Whisper Quiet® compressor system).
• GE (look for models with the "Quiet Package").
• Amana (look for models with the SofSound™ II quiet package).
Unusual Noises:
In addition to the noises from normal operation, refrigerators sometimes make unusual noises due to environmental factors:
• If your fridge is not standing up straight, the coolant may not flow normally. Make sure your refrigerator is leveled (by adjusting its feet, if it is a freestanding model).
• A refrigerator may vibrate inaudibly until it comes into contact with something that can resonate with it and create a sound. Make sure that nothing has fallen behind it, such as an old cereal box. An item sitting inside the refrigerator may resonate as well if it's in just the right spot; all you have to do is move the item somewhere else.
No refrigerator is perfectly quiet. Refrigerators are quirky appliances with fans in many places, and those that have icemakers have even more ways to make little noises, including the "clunk!" when an ice cube falls out and hits the bucket. However, we can say the following:
In general, more recent models of refrigerators are quieter than older models, especially those that meet energy efficiency standards. In the past, most refrigerators used fiberglass insulation, which did little to muffle fan sounds emanating from the inside. In the mid-1990's more stringent efficiency rules were introduced for refrigerators. In 2001 they were made even more strict. Nowadays almost all refrigerators use foam injection in the door and side panels to increase insulation. This has the added effect of reducing the amount of sound leaking out. Also, to make refrigerators more energy efficient, the compressors had to be downsized. This reduced the amount of noise they make. Some higher-end models go so far as to insulate the compressor.
The moral of the story is, if you want a quiet refrigerator, look for models that are rated as energy efficient and that use insulation to dampen the compressor.
Again, you can't expect a refrigerator to be perfectly silent, even the ones that try to be. Two refrigerators of the same exact model may have different levels of sound, and the accoustics of the spaces they go into can vary wildly. That said, the following brands pay special attention to quiet operation:
• Viking (the ProChill™ Temperature Management System features a quiet compressor).
• Thermador (they claim to have the quietest refrigerator on the market).
• Kitchen Aid (look for models with the Whisper Quiet® compressor system).
• GE (look for models with the "Quiet Package").
• Amana (look for models with the SofSound™ II quiet package).
Unusual Noises:
In addition to the noises from normal operation, refrigerators sometimes make unusual noises due to environmental factors:
• If your fridge is not standing up straight, the coolant may not flow normally. Make sure your refrigerator is leveled (by adjusting its feet, if it is a freestanding model).
• A refrigerator may vibrate inaudibly until it comes into contact with something that can resonate with it and create a sound. Make sure that nothing has fallen behind it, such as an old cereal box. An item sitting inside the refrigerator may resonate as well if it's in just the right spot; all you have to do is move the item somewhere else.