I should have known better!My old Kenmore died and I bought this noxious import because ita) fit in a 32" nook; b) I didn't want an ice maker; andc) it looked great.("Sleek European styling") I didn't know that it has a DC compressor and emits a constant whine (or bass hum, buzz or hum, depending on the cycle).At its worst it is like having a truck idling in your kitchen.But you always hear it.The noise kicks in even if you haven't opened the door in an hour, and cycles last from 30 minutes to what seems like hours.The sales rep I finally reached via the escalation dept. confirmed that it's not a question of decibels, but of frequency.As for noise complaints I found after it was too late, he reluctantly admitted that, yes, there are some people who find the noise really disturbing.Or as the repairman told me, "I know it's loud, but that's normal for this thing.That's just the way they make them these days," he said, and showed me how the high speed compressor was attached to the back of the machine with a few screws and with absolutely nothing to soften the sharp whine it makes most of the time.My Kenmore rumbled a bit but it never, ever made that awful shrill piercing relentless whine.I can hear it in my office or bathroom adjacent to the kitchen but not upstairs or in the shower.I can't even imagine what this thing would be like in an apartment!
These new compressors are a known issue, which is something I wish I'd found out before I bought this thing from Albert Lee appliances in Seattle. You'll find complaints about GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore and others.But at 17.3 cf, most of them are half the price of this sleek European mediocrity.
Not everyone is sensitive to noise.If you're oblivious to tv test patterns, dentists drills, high tension wires or a speaker when you leave the stereo on, you might think it was pricey but okay.At least it's prettier than the white molded plastic you usually see.
But if you think that hearing your fridge when you're in another room at twice the price, either buy a mid-priced fridge with the same or more features, or get a Sub Zero for $3,000, and steer clear of Fisher & Paykel products.This is by far the worst appliance I have ever owned.
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Fisher and Paykel : E522BLXFD Refrigerator - Stainless Steel Left Hinge Flat DoorProduct Description: Height incl. feet and hinge cap: 66 3/4". Width: 31 1/8". Depth incl. Handle: 28 3/4". Depth w/ Door open 90°: 56 7/16". Depth w/ Door Closed excl. Handle: 27". Minimum Air Clearance each side: 1". Minimum air clearance - at rear (incl. compressor tray): 1 1/2". Minimum Air Clearance on Top: 2". Refrigerator Storage Volume: 12.4 cu. ft.. Freezer Storage Volume: 4.9 cu. ft.. Total Storage Volume: 17.3 cu. ft.. Silver Prepainted Cabinet: Yes. Frost-Free Freezer: Yes. Glass Shelves: 4. Humidity Controlled Produce Bins: 2. Roll Out Center Freezer Tray: 1. Half-Width Door Shelves: 2. Full-Width Door Shelves: 2. Covered Door Shelves: 2. Door Alarms: Yes. Ice Cube Trays: 2. Egg Trays: 2. Freezer Drawers: 2. Front Levelling Feet: Yes. Energy Consumption: 487 kWh/year. Rethinking how to store and preserve your food - Fisher & Paykel was on a mission when it created Active Smart, an advanced refrigeration system. Active Smart uses unique electronic intelligence to continuously monitor and adapt its cooling conditions, adjusting the flow of cold air based on daily use and climate conditions. So it's not working overtime or under par - just smarter and more efficiently. Even the produce bins provide maximum care. Humidity controls keep lettuce green, herbs garden-fresh and fruit crisp for up to two weeks. What about the homemade gazpacho in the refrigerator, or the just-churned ice cream in the freezer? Independent sensors accurately monitor temperatures in both compartments to maintain the safest, most precise temperature.
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I like that it's a clean, simple white for my white fridge, and has lots of big pockets. Though a few shallower pockets would've been handy as well, for smaller receipts, notes etc. The tiny magnets are strong, but I intend to use this file heavily, so I've added a couple more, bigger ones, too. Got my fridgefile from GoGoods, through Amazon, and they were very helpful when the P.O. temporarily lost the package.
