Refrigerator use, Normal sounds, Ensuring proper air circulation – Sears T1KB2/T1RFKB2 User Manual
Page 11: Using the controls

11
Normal Sounds
Your new refrigerator may make sounds that your old one didn’t 
make. Because the sounds are new to you, you might be 
concerned about them. Most of the new sounds are normal. Hard 
surfaces, such as the floor, walls, and cabinets, can make the 
sounds seem louder. The following describes the kinds of sounds 
and what may be making them.
■
If your refrigerator is equipped with an ice maker, you will hear 
a buzzing sound when the water valve opens to fill the ice 
maker for each cycle.
■
Your refrigerator is designed to run more efficiently to keep 
your food items at the desired temperatures and to minimize 
energy usage. The high efficiency compressor and fans may 
cause your refrigerator to run longer than your old one. You 
may also hear a pulsating or high-pitched sound from the 
compressor or fans adjusting to optimize performance.
■
You may hear the evaporator fan motor circulating air through 
the refrigerator and freezer compartments. The fan speed 
may increase as you open the doors or add warm food.
■
Rattling noises may come from the flow of refrigerant, the 
water line, or items stored on top of the refrigerator.
■
Water dripping on the defrost heater during a defrost cycle 
may cause a sizzling sound.
■
As each cycle ends, you may hear a gurgling sound due to 
the refrigerant flowing in your refrigerator.
■
Contraction and expansion of the inside walls may cause a 
popping noise.
■
You may hear air being forced over the condenser by the 
condenser fan.
■
You may hear water running into the drain pan during the 
defrost cycle.
REFRIGERATOR USE
Ensuring Proper Air Circulation
In order to ensure proper temperatures, you need to permit air to 
flow between the two sections. Cold air enters the bottom of the 
freezer section and moves up. It then enters the refrigerator 
section through the top vent. Air then returns to the freezer as 
shown.
Do not block any airflow vents. If the vents are blocked, airflow 
will be obstructed and temperature and moisture problems may 
occur.
IMPORTANT: Because air circulates between both sections, any 
odors formed in one section will transfer to the other. You must 
thoroughly clean both sections to eliminate odors. To avoid odor 
transfer and drying out of food, wrap or cover foods tightly.
Using the Controls
For your convenience, your refrigerator controls are preset at the 
factory. When you first install your refrigerator, make sure that the 
controls are still preset. The Refrigerator Control and the Freezer 
Control should both be set to the “mid-settings.” 
IMPORTANT:
■
Your product will not cool when the REFRIGERATOR Control 
is set to OFF.
■
The Refrigerator Control adjusts the refrigerator compartment 
temperature. The Freezer Control adjusts the freezer 
compartment temperature. Settings to the left of the mid-
setting make the temperature less cold. Settings to the right 
of the mid-setting make the temperature colder.
■
Wait 24 hours before you put food into the refrigerator. If you 
add food before the refrigerator has cooled completely, your 
food may spoil.
NOTE: Adjusting the Refrigerator and Freezer Controls to a 
higher (colder) than recommended setting will not cool the 
compartments any faster.
Adjusting Controls
Give the refrigerator time to cool down completely before adding 
food. It is best to wait 24 hours before you put food into the 
refrigerator. The settings indicated in the previous section should 
be correct for normal household refrigerator usage. The controls 
are set correctly when milk or juice is as cold as you like and 
when ice cream is firm. 
Turn the control right (clockwise) to make the compartment 
colder. Turn the control left (counterclockwise) to make it less 
cold. To turn the cooling system off, turn the Refrigerator Control 
counterclockwise until it reaches the OFF position.
If you need to adjust temperatures in the refrigerator or freezer, 
use the settings listed in the chart below as a guide. Wait at least 
24 hours between adjustments.
CONDITION/REASON:
ADJUSTMENT:
REFRIGERATOR too warm
REFRIGERATOR Control 
one setting higher 
FREEZER too warm/
too little ice
FREEZER Control 
one setting higher
REFRIGERATOR too cold
REFRIGERATOR Control 
one setting lower
FREEZER too cold
FREEZER Control 
one setting lower
