A fridge is a device that is very useful to every household. Some of its uses include cooling drinking water, saving leftovers and preserving important foodstuff like milk and whatever we do not want to go bad. The reality of today is that they are so important and so much a part of our daily lives. You can get a better understanding of the importance of this piece of equipment in this article here.
Sometimes, for any number of reasons, you may have a noisy fridge with different sounds; humming, buzzing or rattling noise. These can be so annoying especially when you need some quiet or when you are trying to get some sleep.
Your options are either to buy a new one, which is a huge investment and not necessary as long as your current one serves its purpose, or fixing the noise by soundproofing it.
Types of Noise That Can Emanate From a Fridge
Common noises from the refrigerator may include hissing and dripping sounds due to the refrigerant in the compressor. Additionally, there might be gurgling or sizzling noises as the ice melts and drips into the draining pan. These sounds are normal in the operations of the refrigerator and not something to worry about. If however, you hear a strange sound, you may then need to call a technician. All the same, whatever noise it makes, if it constitutes a nuisance to you, you can soundproof it.
The first step in reducing the noise from your fridge is knowing where it is coming from. Observe it and check the bottom for vibrations. Next, check the back. One thing you can do is to switch it off and then back on to know if it is the fan or compressor that is causing the sounds. If you can, you can also open it to further investigate the source of the noise. Other possibilities are loose handles and parts. A thorough inspection will be sure to give you an idea of where the sound you are hearing is coming from.
One of the easiest things to do to avoid unnecessary noise from your fridge is to try to clean the moving parts regularly. They should operate without touching each other. Unplug the fridge when cleaning the inside of it. Using a soft brush and rag, clean the fan and compressor. Again, if you can, you might want to go ahead to dismantle the fan so as to check the condition of the rubber grommets under the blade. There may be an issue with it or it could just have succumbed to wear and tear. When you are done cleaning, make sure to return everything to the way it was before. You may want to find out more about the different types of noise that can come from your refrigerator.
Before trying to soundproof your fridge, it may a good idea to first try to change its position. Maybe placing it inside an alcove (for example) may just solve the issue. If however you try this and it still does not work, then you can try one or more of the methods below to see if any will work for you
Tips on Soundproofing Your Fridge
For vibration noises, make sure the legs of the refrigerator rest evenly on the floor. You can also place a rubber mat or anti-vibration pads beneath it.
Covering the area around the refrigerator with foam panels which, asides blocking vibration, reduces the gurgling and buzzing sounds could also work.
Open the refrigerator and cover it with mass loaded vinyl which blocks sounds from it. Cover the motor as well. You can use the vinyl materials for covering the area around the refrigerator and also the walls behind it. It can also be used underneath the fridge to prevent sounds that might be coming out from there.
Another thing to do is to check the refrigerator thoroughly to see if there are loose parts of the refrigerator clanging against each other or against the body. In a lot of cases, this may just be due to a loose screw. Tighten any loose screws or change the part altogether.
Supposing you have no alcove to put the fridge, you can create a wooden case for it instead. In doing this, make sure to put extra space for ventilation and also for adding acoustic foams. Make sure to have holes both in front and at the back of the wooden case for wires and coils. When the case is ready, line the case with soundproof insulation. You can visit soundproofpros.com/how-to-quiet-a-refrigerator for further explanation.
Conclusion
If none of the above tips work to reduce or eliminate the noise coming from your fridge, it may be time to change it to a new one. Get a technician to ascertain if there is an issue that needs repair or if you might need to buy a new quiet fridge.
If done right, soundproofing can help you manage most refrigerator noises. Just ensure you do it right.
