A refrigerator houses a delicate and circuitous system inside so that it can carry out its cooling and freezing functions. It’s sometimes a mystery to see how it works, where the freezing temperatures come from, or why it starts to buzz or whirr at some point. Many times, a refrigerator’s tinny sound that cuts through and disrupts the comfortable silence of your home is due to its compressor. The compressor is the part that does much of the work of pumping and, yes, compressing in the fridge’s motor. But worry not, help is at hand. Here’s how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor.
Identify the Problem
Before exploring some hacks, start by identifying if it really is the compressor that makes all the noise. Sometimes, humming and clatter may be caused by other parts. For instance:
- The ice maker can make a few noises, like clicking and clattering, as water freezes and solidifies into ice. This is nothing to worry about.
- The drip tray could also make dripping sounds as it catches water melting from the freezer. This should not be a problem.
- The inner walls of the refrigerator do not remain constant and immobile as they adjust to temperature changes. They could creak and make cracking and popping noises as they expand or contract, depending on the temperature inside.
- The valve opening or closing also causes sounds since water flows through to and from the ice maker.
- The compressor and fan make a humming sound, much like how a fan is like when working double time. The liquid on the compressor also contributes to the sound that this refrigerator part makes.
If a compressor’s sound becomes too loud and unbearable, it may be time to replace these parts. The ordeal of how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor may just mean getting new spare parts. Still, this does not come without a hefty price tag.
Soundproofing the Compressor
However, if the compressor’s hiss and gurgle are minimal and more annoying than alarming, you can also try soundproofing the compressor. Take note of these soundproofing options on how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor:
- To absorb the noise, attach some rubber grommets on the motor of the compressor. Rubber will serve as a solid sound insulator so you will no longer be bothered by the whir and stir of your fridge.
- Block the sound of the compressor’s motor like you would muffle a scream with something thick. Wrap the motor with a mat or a mass loaded vinyl to drown out the sounds that it makes.
- If you are up for some challenge of just making stop gaps, build a tiny room for your compressor using soundproof materials. Be sure, though, that as you build an enclosure for your compressor, you still allow it space to ‘breathe’; otherwise, it may overheat and conk out.
- You may also install a silencer in the compressor, specifically in that part responsible for the intake of air. The intake is one of the loudest processes occurring in the compressor.
Other Tips to Quiet Down a Refrigerator
Sometimes, the vibration that refrigeration makes against the floor also causes grating or fine, rattling sounds. If this is the case, you can also consider the following:
- Check that the refrigerator stands firmly and evenly on the floor.
- Lay a wide rubber mat for your refrigerator to stand on. The rubber will not only be a protective, non-slip base for your refrigerator; it can also absorb the vibration noises that you hear.
- There are also anti-vibration pads sold at hardware and appliance stores to act as a base for your refrigerator. You can even use these pads with the rubber mat mentioned above.
- The best place for your refrigerator is that it does not make a lot of sounds by a nook of the recessed wall in your house. How to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor? You may cover the alcove with acoustic panels, so noise may be absorbed. If you do not have an alcove, any place where there is a dent in the wall would work. Or you could mimic one. Make an alcove of sorts using wood to surround the back of your refrigerator. Then attach the noise-absorbing panels onto your simulated alcove.
- The acoustic panels may also be used to line the ceiling of the alcove or recessed wall for the best effect.
- Foam panels also absorb noise, so these may also be used in place of the suggestions previously mentioned. Find out more about repairing appliances.
Conclusion
It’s good to note that refrigeration noise reduction kits can be bought from appliance stores. It is apparent that unwanted noise is the general experience of refrigerator owners that a product has been developed to address just that. Purchasing a kit would easily be the most effective means for you to shush your fridge. But if buying a kit is too much for you, no problem, as you now know how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor.