Understanding the sounds you may hear

Your new refrigerator may make sounds that your old one didn’t. Because the sounds are new to you, you might be concerned about them. Don’t be. Most of the new sounds are normal. Hard surfaces like the floor, walls and cabinets can make the sounds seem louder.

The following describes the kinds of sounds that might be new to you, and what may be making them.

Slight hum, soft hiss

You may hear the refrigerator’s fan motor and moving air.

Water sounds

When the refrigerator stops running, you may hear gurgling in the tubing for a few minutes after it stops. You may also hear defrost water running into the defrost water pan.

Running sounds

Your refrigerator has a high-efficiency compressor and motor. It will run longer than older designs. It may even seem to run most of the time.

Clicking or snapping sounds

The thermostat makes a definite click when the refrigerator stops running. It also makes a sound when the refrigerator starts. The defrost timer will click when the defrost cycle starts.

Saving energy

You can help your refrigerator use less electricity.

l Check door gaskets for a tight seal. Level the cabinet to be sure of a good seal.

l Clean the condenser coils regularly.

l Open the door as few times as possible. Think about what you need before you open the door. Get everything out at one time. Keep food organized so you won’t have to search for what you want. Close door as soon as food is removed.

Go ahead and fill up the refrigerator, but don’t overcrowd it so air movement is blocked.

It is a waste of electricity to set the refrig- erator and freezer to temperatures colder than they need to be. If ice cream is firm in the freezer and drinks are as cold as your family likes them, that’s cold enough.

Make sure your refrigerator is not next to a heat source such as a range, water heater, furnace, radiator or in direct sunlight.