Not clear which fan you mean ... the condensor fan at the compressor or the evaporator fan inside the freezer ... although both are probably running. The freezer fan should shut off during defrost cycles, otherwise heated air would be blowing around. The condensor fan should shut off whenever the compressor is not running. It's true that energy efficient units have smaller compressors that pull less amperage/wattage but run for longer periods to maintain the interior temperature.

My 10-years-old GE Profile runs the freezer fan continuously (except during defrost). The compressor is variable speed, reduces to a slower speed to maintain the temperature vs. a faster speed to cool down quickly such as when a lot of food is added ... and rarely shuts off except during defrost.

So anyway, yes it's normal for the fans to run a LOT on some models/units. It is what it is, unlikely anything can be done to reduce the run time.

Dadoes -- And the noise doesn't bother you? I don't know which fan it is either, because the technician who came out today couldn't be bothered to stick around to answer my questions. And there is no technical support for consumers at Electroluxe. I definitely will not buy another Electroluxe appliance, especially in light of the fact that the mother board on my washing machine appeared to be out the first time I tried to run a load today. Not a great day for Electroluxe appliances at my house.

Appliance operational noises do not bother me. Machinery generates noises, it is to be expected.

Dadoes, certainly I expect noises. Just not all the time.

I apologize, my comment wasn't helpful to your issue. The noise does not bother me. The freezer fan is muffled and barely audible unless the door is opened. The compressor and condensor fan are very low-level unless the unit is running at a higher speed. It all blends into and becomes part of the background sound level of the house. There are several other sources of "noise" in my house, including two computers that run 24/7 (one has three hard drives so I have the side panel off with a small fan blowing at it to keep the heat down), and I often have a 10" floor fan running in my kitchen/family room area.

Then maybe this unit is running at a continuous higher speed, and that is the problem? I wouldn't really consider this noise to be low level, nor high level -- I just think it's a normal but noisy refrigerator fan. I was at my 19-year-old son's apartment last night, and I observed that his budget refrigerator fan there was equally loud. The difference is, his is an inky dinky galley kitchen that is not inviting to hang out in for anything, whereas mine is a large and inviting open living environment. The fan noise infiltrates other areas. My home is super well insulated, and when the double pane doors and windows in the house are closed, with no conversation, tvs or music going, it is enough to make me want to throw a rock at the damned thing because it never shuts off. In fact, I feel a huge sense of relief from the noise at night when I shut my door in my bedroom and then notice it immediately first thing again when I get up in the morning.

On another thread, one of the posters mentioned she has a 2013 Electroluxe French door refrigerator, and that hers doesn't run all the time. I'm tempted to open a thread here (and everywhere else I can think of), calling for consumer reviews of this refrigerator's fan operation.

At this point, I have requested one more service person to come next week from a service company I hand picked (rather than allowing Electroluxe to), and have also requested a call be made on the spot to Electroluxe by the service technician to Electroluxe's technical support department. I need to hear from the service department that the fan is always running. It is definitely not what I would consider barely audible.

I am rather appalled by the level of noise pollution we are expected to live with -- energy efficiency be damned. You would think with technology, things would get quieter, not noisier.

I just got a new side by side Figidaire refrigerator freezer and have the same issue. I can hear it running from the next room and it never stops. Two service calls later and no problems found - just the way it is. The thought of having this for the next 10+ years makes me nuts. Surely there is something to be done! i am furious.

Same issue with a 2024 Fridigdaire side by side. It has a variable speed compressor and the evaporator fan runs non-stop unless defrosting. Twice as loud as our old fridge and it is annoying 30 feet away in a a quiet house. They could easily reduce the noise by using a larger fan blade and a lower rpm motor. We are looking at getting another make/model it is so bad but we suspect this may be the norm for all of them.

Replace it with a lower-end model that doesn't have a variable-speed compressor, of a different brand if Frigidaire doesn't have any that fit your requirements. The compressor and condensor fan wil run at full-power to reach the target temperature, then shut off until the temp rises for it to turn back on. The evaporator fan should also cycle on/off accordingly.

Return the objectionable Frigidaire if possible ... or sell it.