Help with loud fan noise Frigidaire Professional Single Door Fridge (FPRU19F8WF) and Freezer (FPFU19F8WF)

[SamE]

Model Number

FPRU19F8WF

Brand

Frigidaire

Age

Less than 1 year

Installed this fridge and freezer set almost a week ago and have been very disappointed with the fan noise level from the units when running. It's almost 60 db when measured with my phone app under the units. It sounds like air whooshing coming from under the units so not obviously abnormal, just very loud. The units are in my great room and are loud enough that I can hear them from about 30 feet away. They are also running almost all the time, which I expected given their energy efficiency rating but I didn't expect them to be this loud. I had the older version of these units and don't think they were this noisy.

What is this sound and is it normal?

I'm guessing this is from the condenser fan. These units have variable speed compressors. Should they have variable speed condenser fans too? I thinking if the fan speed was variable and could be reduced, this would dramatically decrease the noise. Faulty control board maybe?

If this is all "normal", does anyone have suggestions for sound mitigation? Would soundproofing their cabinet help? Can I place a baffle or muffler under the units? This does block out some of the sound but I'm worried about obstructing airflow. They are currently freestanding (no trim kit)

Am pained to think that after spending this much $$$ on these units, I might be disturbed by them for their entire lifespan. Thanks for any ideas or advice from the wise people in this forum.

 

[SamE]

The offensive noise is coming from a loud fan under the units which I assume is the condenser fan. I'm wondering if this sound is "normal" and why would it sound so loud in my kitchen? My units were raised about 1.5" off the tile floor to more easily level them during the install. They also did not come with a front grill so the space is open. I'm thinking that the airflow and fan noise is bouncing from the condenser fan to go under the fridge and out the open front space under the units.

I was thinking that if I lowered the units to the ground, there would be less transmission of airflow and fan noise under the units. There is no mention of ground clearance required for these units in the manual. I could also just fill the space below the units with some soundproofing materials. I have about 6" of space on top and behind the units. Would it be reasonable to just ventilate the units from the back and top and close up the space below? Would this help reduce the noise transmission?

Would appreciate any thoughts from more knowledgeable folks...

 

[Jake]

If you can make video of it and upload it here, or you can upload the video to Youtube and post the Youtube link here. Or share your video per Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive and post the share link here.

Then we can hear it.

Jake

 

[Jake]

The offensive noise is coming from a loud fan under the units which I assume is the condenser fan. I'm wondering if this sound is "normal" and why would it sound so loud in my kitchen? My units were raised about 1.5" off the tile floor to more easily level them during the install. They also did not come with a front grill so the space is open. I'm thinking that the airflow and fan noise is bouncing from the condenser fan to go under the fridge and out the open front space under the units.

I was thinking that if I lowered the units to the ground, there would be less transmission of airflow and fan noise under the units. There is no mention of ground clearance required for these units in the manual. I could also just fill the space below the units with some soundproofing materials. I have about 6" of space on top and behind the units. Would it be reasonable to just ventilate the units from the back and top and close up the space below? Would this help reduce the noise transmission?

Your installation manual will say the clearance it should have.

We really need to hear it, please post a video.

Jake

 

[SamE]

Thank you.

Tried to get a sample of the sound with my phone. It didn't come out quite right. It sounds more like a air conditioner fan, constant low pitched buzzing and whooshing fan noise. You can easily hear it from across the room. In the last video, I'm zoomed in from about 40' away and you can still hear the fan clearly. This is pretty near all the time.

Are these normal operating sounds?

 

[Jake]

Thanks!

Yes, those are normal operating sounds.

Jake

 

[SamE]

Hi Jake,

First of all, thank you for your reply. I've been busy investigating the sound of the noise and experimenting with different sound mitigation strategies.

The main sounds of the noise is from the condenser fan, which is on almost all the time. It doesn't appear to be faulty, that's just its normal sound. One weird thing I found was that the vents for this fridge and freezer are mainly under the unit, not behind so the sound reverberates from the floor underneath. Soundproofed the back of the cabinet and under the fridge which helped but still hearing fan noise. Measured it from waist height about 5 feet away and getting about 36 dbs. I realize that this is not loud by appliance standards but it's bothersome to me and that it's continuous is different from older appliances that would cycle on and off. So, am considering exchanging them for another brand or model.

BUT, is it possible to have silent or near silent fridge or freezer? I don't mean an absorption fridge or anything but a regular residential appliance. Are some brands better at this than others? Or is this just a fantasy? I think that even having a fridge that cycles on and off might be better. Do these still exist?

As an aside, the icemaker in my 2007 freezer was near silent. The new one is so loud when the water refills. Don't understand why they would change this when the older systems worked just as well and was so much quieter!

Thanks for reading,

Sam.

 

[Jake]

BUT, is it possible to have silent or near silent fridge or freezer? I don't mean an absorption fridge or anything but a regular residential appliance. Are some brands better at this than others? Or is this just a fantasy? I think that even having a fridge that cycles on and off might be better. Do these still exist?

Hi Sam,

All refrigerators make normal operating sounds, it would be impossible to find one that was dead silent and still cool properly.

Also, all refrigerators cycle the compressor and fans on and off per the temperature sensor.

Jake