Split unit air conditioners run long refrigerant lines between the compressor heat exchanger (outside) and the evaporator (heat exchanger) inside. In principle, that can also be done for the refrigerant lines between a refrigerator compressor and heat exchanger and the refrigerator.

Possible issues would be feasibility of intercepting the lines in the refrigerator and attaching suitable connectors, feasibility of getting the (insulated) lines to the remote location, and similarly for the relevant, now-extended, wiring. Preplanned split units will have suitable valving, accumulators, and higher pressure pumps. These may not be critical, but a HVAC refrigeration specialist should be consulted. A drop down connection to a compressor just below the refrigerator may not need much more than modest line lengthening.

However, you will need to deal with what is required to move the refrigerator if that becomes necessary for any purpose. Lossless, zero-gap refrigerant quick disconnects may exist, but might be pricey.

kas

Thank you both for your feedback. I'll talk to the HVAC guys about both ideas, much appreciated.

You just took a simple 2K easily replaceable appliance and turned it into a no warranty, unreliable, 6K finicky horrifying werebeast.

A regular fridge like an LG that uses the new compressors are not noisy. Reset your expectations and your requirements.

Sophie Wheeler - run along, Sophie - your peculiar input isn't helpful.

Sophie Wheeler isn't so far off-target. This would be a customization that would void the warranty (if done to a unit under warranty) and complicate moving the unit for service access.

Sometimes find advice given here harsher than necessary, but have to agree in this case. the idea sounds nuts to me. Good luck though!

We've had people in this Gardenweb forum who did it. It's most often done with commercial style fridges and walk-ins. Search in this forum and you might find something.

DrB477 -possibly, however Ms Wheeler's persistently supercilious attitude over the years, laying about her with an iron fist even when she has nothing relevant to add to the conversation, is bizarre.

What you need to do is go at a restaurant supply. There you can see refrigerators with separate condensing units. This is similar to your A/C where the compressor is outside (remote) and the A/C evaporator is inside the house.

You can't 'hack' the compressor/condenser out of a residential fridge. I don't believe the compressor would be powerful enough for a long run of copper, and also some of the compressors are DC - wiring problems.

Remote Condenser Refrig

geoffrey_b - that makes perfect sense, thanks. Wish I could find the original Houzz Ideabook.

Here are a couple of the threads I was talking about:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2299019/a-few-thoughts-on-my-true-refrigerator?n=21

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2340837/great-big-refrigerator-with-zero-conveniences?n=16

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3888135/sub-zero-refrigerator-is-very-loud-beware?n=43

I'll also mention, there was a local news report here about someone who had an issue with a Samsung fridge, one of the new 4-door models. Apparently, it does not use the current 'standard' refrigerant. There is a new rule out there that all chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants of any sort will be phased out in the next few years. Samsung (and others) has gone ahead and started using a new refrigerant (R600?) that is based on petrochemicals (ie, butane). There is hardly anyone out there who is qualified to work on this stuff. So when the customer had a problem with the fridge, all the local repair people refused to work on it.

He ended up working a deal with Samsung to return the fridge and bought another model that doesn't use butane.

(Yes, butane as in that stuff you put in cigarette lighters.)

True is using R290 (Propane) in some of its commercial units. True R290 PR Apparently hydrocarbons are the new hotness in refrigeration.

Good points about commercial refrigerators, given that pulling the guts out of a domestic one will probably void the warranty anyway.

I'll go back to Plan A - sticking the fridge in the pantry!

It will be important to locate the refrigerator where there is good ventilation, defined as the local air not heating up when the refrigerator is running. Otherwise, given the laws of thermodynamics, a thermal run-away condition is theoretically possible, and an insufficiently cooled refrigerator interior is practically possible.

There's also the issue of the heat from the fridge not being good for the food in the pantry...

Re warranties, it's just a calculation of how worth the money it is to you. I self-imported my induction cooktop to get the size, power and configuration I wanted. No warranty. No recourse for the dented trim it came with. No big deal. I'm thrilled with it dent and all. I did make sure that the locals could fix the works if needed. I don't mind paying for the repairs--not that it's needed any yet.

If the quiet is really worth it to you, and not having to run to the pantry for every pat of butter is highly desirable, consider if it's worth self-insuring (i.e., paying for) that which will make you happiest.

plllog and kaseki - if we were to do this, the compressor, etc, would go into the basement, which is dry and cool, having stone walls and being below grade (1870s rural stone farmhouse in Canada).

There will be a pantry, a few steps across the hall from the kitchen.

If the basement gets very cold, it would be important to check the temperature range capability of the compressor side. You probably wouldn't want to pay (notwithstanding pillog rattling your wallet :) for an aerospace capable refrigeration unit.

LOL! No, not aerospace worthy. I know nothing about basements. The only one I ever had was just a hollow for the furnace and water heater, and quite warm, therefore.

My point was that most people budget a certain amount for a fridge and only have just that much, and depend on the warranty to cover them for a few years after they've spent their savings (or, worse, debt!) on the fridge to begin with. If you're in the income bracket where money for fiddling with the fridge, or buying commercial, and putting the compressor in the basement, seems like a worthwhile endeavor rather than opening a can of gourmet expensive worms, you're probably in the income bracket to shoulder paying for any faults and mistakes you make along the way. And if you're not, you should turn back before you get stuck. Like, what happens if those lovely stone walls are wonderful sound/vibration conductors and all of a sudden the whole house, rather than just the kitchen, sounds like refrigerator? If your answer is, "I guess we need to get a sound proofed housing made..." you're on the right track. If you see a house of cards collapsing on you, don't do it.

As to location of the box, we have members putting small fridges in their breakfast rooms so the coffee things, snacking fruit, butter and milk, as well as condiments, pickles and sandwich things, can be at point of use. I have a drawer fridge in my prep/baking area so I have onions, etc., right to hand, and can just slip my pie crust in to rest and firm up. A few steps across the hall is majorly inconvenient! I get the noise sensitivity, but don't do it! Or at least get a marine fridge or something (no compressor) to keep a few necessities to hand in the kitchen.