How to reduce refrigerator noise?
Soundproofing a room isn't a tedious process. It needs smart work. For example, you are planning to get an awesome quiet ambiance, then you have to NOT only block all the noise coming from outside but also, you need to negate the airborne noise produced by the household appliances, pets etc.
Fortunately, it's really easy to reduce the refrigerator noise, and the best thing is that you don't need to spend loads and loads of money.
If you have small children in your house, then you need to be very careful. A noisy buzzing fridge can have serious complications on the child's physical and mental health. It may prevent the child from getting a proper sleep of 8 hours and more. Continuous exposure to the refrigerator noise can even lead to hearing loss.
Well, if you don't have any budget issue, then the most feasible option for you is to replace the refrigerator with a new one. However, we aren't gonna talk on this option.
[Also Read]: Best Quiet Propane Generators
In this article, I will throw some light on 8 soundproof techniques that will definitely help you to get rid of the unwanted refrigerator noise.
Without any further ado, let's begin...
1. Install Acoustic Sound Absorbing Foam
Acoustic foams are great at absorbing the noise. It is one of the cheapest methods to reduce the noise and fridge rattling by at least 50 percent. However, some of my clients have committed a reduction of even 85 percent and above, and trust me that's amazing.
The process is very simple. You need to buy a pack of acoustic foam and then install it into the wall right behind the fridge. Using Green Glue adhesive can further improve the sound dampening capabilities.
The fridge should be placed closer to the acoustic foam. Remember, the fridge shouldn't touch the foam.
So, when the noise leaves the refrigerator it is absorbed by the acoustical foam.
Now, the selection of the acoustic panel also plays a significant role. My clients have tried quite a few types of these panels but the best feedback that I received was for sound dampening egg crate foam panel by Foamily. (See current price on Amazon) Few of my clients recorded a reduction of 80 percent in rattling after using this foam panel.
Let us know your experience of using Foamily or other acoustic panels in the comment section.
2. Fill the Refrigerator
Turning ON and OFF of the refrigerator compressor also creates lots of noise. However, the good news is that we can reduce the frequency of turning on/off.
You need to stabilize the fridge for the optimum results. You can do a few things to minimize the impact of the compressor's noise.
- Fill the plastic bottles with water, and then put it into freezer and fridge. The motive is to add required weight for the stabilization.
- Filling the fridge completely to its capacity with lots of fruits, vegetables, and other items can drastically reduce the compressors switch ON/OFF noise.
I have personally experimented with these methods and the result was mind-boggling.
I will recommend you to try this method because it will NOT cost you a single penny and lots of time.
3. Clean Fans and Compressors
It is highly advisable to clean the fans and the compressors. Accumulation of dirt can lead to unwanted noise.
You need to also look for the health of the coil. In case, the coil has some specks of dust accumulated on it, then remove it for the better performance.
At times, a sticky layer of dirt on the fans and compressors causes a unique type of irritating noise. So, cleaning compressors and fans can help you to get rid of these type of noise.
4. Place the Refrigerator at Height
If you're a regular reader of this blog, then I can assume that you are well aware of the fact that low-frequency has the capability to travel through the solid surface.
So, if you're placing the fridge on the floor then the low-frequency can easily travel through the floor making the environment pathetic.
To prevent such situation, you need to place something that can absorb the low-frequency. You can even mount the fridge on the wall brackets for optimum result.
5. Use Sound Dampening Cabinet
Either you can consider it as your DIY project or you can seek some professional help.
This is a kind of permanent solution, and I will recommend you to NOT compromise on the quality of the dampening cabinet.
Once the sound dampening cabinet is made, you can insert the fridge into it for the optimum result.
If you are planning to go with this method, then you can SKIP the aforementioned methods.
6. Place it on the TOP of the Vibration Pad
Using a vibration pad can help you to get rid of the fridge's rattling, shaking and vibration.
Buy a high-quality vibration pad and place it under the fridge. Definitely, it will reduce the shaking and vibration.
7. Prefer a Quieter One
This is a relative option and, may not be suitable for those who are tight on budget.
You can either replace your existing refrigerator with a quieter one or you can buy a quieter one.
Both need a certain budget, and if you are comfortable with it, then go ahead.
If you're using a refrigerator that is 5 to 10 years old, then it's high time to replace it with a quieter one.
Most of the new refrigerators have quieter compressors.
8. Hire a Soundproof Consultant
If none of the aforementioned methods worked for you, then you definitely need to hire a professional because the problem is much bigger than we anticipated.
The professional will guide you with the correct advice. Sometimes it's better to invest money in a new refrigerator rather than spending on the older one.
However, the final decision is always yours.
I am attaching a self-explanatory video for your perusal.
Wrapping UP:
I will NOT deny the fact that there are many other methods that can successfully dampen the refrigerator noise. However, I have listed ONLY those methods in this post that we have used and succeeded in reducing the refrigerator noise.
I will be grateful to you if you will share your ways of achieving the noiseless ambiance.
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