Hello. Just bought a Kenmore Elite 16.7 Frost Free freezer, replacing our 25 year old Amana (really lasted!). This model is electronically controlled and seems to have some startup program. After running a couple of hours with no noise issue, food was put in. Within maybe an hour after food was put in, I was aware of a humming/whirring noise at higher pitch than the "motor is running" noise. This stayed on and was annoying for several hours. The next day the noise lessened, and the third day it lessened again. However, the noise is always present when the freezer is in cooling operation. Listening from the outside, it seems like the noise is from a fan on the left upper side of the freezer. When open, the noise mostly is heard from the cutout area at the back on top where air is circulated.

1. Is this noise typical, or does it indicate something like a faulty fan?

2. There is an extended warranty with this machine 3yr for $130 or 5yr for $200. Given the life of the previous Amana, I am inclined to not get an extended warranty, but I also do not know the current market place. Please give advice.

3. Are there any maintenance tasks that should be done regularly with this machine?

1) May be the evaporator fan, call Sears to check it out.

2) Here is the news. Appliances don't last 25 years any more. Sorry, but that's the truth. I'd certainly take the extended warranty, if for no other reason than the electronic controls. Electronic problems are nasty and expensive to repair. Also bear in mind that appliances now only carry a bare one year warranty. Refrigerators and freezers generally used to have a 5 year parts AND labour warranty on "sealed system" repairs.

3) Usual routine cleaning. Other than that, nothing to "maintain".

Thanks very much for the reply. Sorry I'm late in responding. Had a repairman out, and his thought was that it is the compressor. It is not insulated on this model, and it is somewhat louder than on other models.

I guess I will have to live with the noise.