Question from Susan
we just purchased last week a whirlpool side by side refrigerator and the noise is driving me crazy and i am near tears. I have seen a website with this same complaint from many people who feel they are having neurological problems and feel as they are going insane.
have you heard about this problem? i think it can seriously impact me. I had no problem with the inside and outside of the frig as far as my chemical sensitivity but this noise is soooooo horrible. thank you for your help.
Lisa’s Answer
Readers, any advice?
Last year I bought an LG fridge with bottom freezer and double doors on top. Once in a while I hear a very slight hum, but overall it is very quiet. The ice maker can be turned off at night if the sound of ice falling is bothersome. I just close my bedroom door and don’t hear it. If you are interested, I can give you the model number.
Seriously Sensitive MCS group may be of assistance to you
See if it is wired for wireless. I keep seeing that new appliances are wired so they can tie into smart meters (which we refuse to have installed and have to pay extra for manual reading but if it means staying healthy, so be it). That might be some of the buzzing. I am not sensitive to noises but our samsung refrig (that was here when we purchased the house in 2016 and says the refrig was made in 2013) makes a lot of noise that bothers me when it runs).
Yes, we had the same problem … also with a Whirlpool. It was the pitch that drove me nuts. I couldn’t sleep and I had to wear earplugs at night. Interestingly, I have vacuums and air purifiers that are equally loud, but they have a different pitch, so they do not bother me. We ultimately got rid of the fridge. It was a lemon in other ways, too.
New appliances use new technology. Even a plain looking fridge may not be plain, simple or safe. Look at the manual to see what it says about the on/off cycle. There may be a surge when it start (this can burn out lightbulbs) and then it may run for a long time at different times. It may be controlled from outside, this is part of the “internet of things”.
Noise and vibrations do affect human health(Invisible Harm by Dr. Carey Balaban)
Looking for an old fridge may help in the short term.