Normal Operating Sounds & Sights - Kenmore 253 Series Use & Care Manual

UNDERSTANDING THE SOUNDS YOU MAY HEAR
Your new high-efficiency refrigerator may make unfamiliar
sounds. These are all normal sounds and soon will become
familiar to you. They also indicate your refrigerator is operating
as designed. Hard surfaces, such as vinyl or wood floors,
walls, and kitchen cabinets may make sounds more
noticeable. Listed below are descriptions of some of the most
common sounds you may hear, and what is causing them.
N O T E N O T E N O T E N O T E N O T E
Rigid foam insulation is very energy efficient, but is not a
sound insulator.
NORMAL OPERATING SOUNDS & SIGHTS
A. Evaporator
B. Evaporator Fan
C. Defrost Heater
IMPORTANT
During the automatic defrost cycle, you may notice a red
glow in the vents on the back wall of your freezer
compartment. This is normal during the defrost cycle.
D. Automatic Ice Maker
E. Cold Control & Defrost Timer or Automatic
F. Condenser Fan
G. Compressor
H. Water Valve
I. Drain Pan (Nonremovable)
J. Condenser Coils (Fan-cooled models only)
15
The flow of refrigerant through the evaporator may
create a boiling or gurgling sound.
You may hear air being forced through the refrigerator
by the evaporator fan.
During defrost cycles, water dripping onto the defrost
heater may cause a hissing or sizzling sound. After
defrosting, a popping sound may occur.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear ice cubes falling into the ice bin.
Defrost Control
These parts can produce a snapping or clicking sound
when turning the refrigerator on and off. The timer also
produces sounds similar to an electric clock.
If condenser coils are located underneath your
refrigerator as shown in the drawing at the left, you
have a condenser fan. You may hear air being forced
through the condenser by the condenser fan.
Modern, high-efficiency compressors operate much
faster than older models. The compressor may have a
high-pitched hum or pulsating sound.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear a buzzing sound as the water valve
opens to fill the ice maker during each cycle.
You may hear water running into the drain pan during
the defrost cycle. The drain pan will be located on top
of the compressor for air-cooled condensers (black coils
on back of refrigerator).