Kelvinator
Kelvinator
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Trash product, terrible customer service! Purchased a 5kw split system that has a mind of its own. This unit doesn't do anything right. (timer… Read more
doesn't work, app is completely broken, auot mode is just cooling, the list goes on). Called Kalvinator and they just said "reset it", even Though I tried to explain that I've done that many times and it still doesn't work. Stuff Kelvinator, I will never purchase one of your products ever again! I will also make sure everyone I know will never purchase one of your products ever again! Screw you, I'll be happy to sit back and watch you fade away.
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I bought one of these fridges 3 years ago to replace a similar looking Westinghouse fridge which I had for over 20 years. I liked it's simple,… Read more
spacious, old fashioned design. It was not too expensive. The recessed handles would not be easy to open for the elderly or arthritic, and the crisper drawer is very difficult to use, especially if loaded. You will note in my photo that the crisper drawer is broken (I have put a couple of nuts and bolts in to reinforce and hold it together, and there are some plywood shims to centralised and restrain the shelf it is hung off). The freezer temperature is okay, but even at its coldest setting, the fridge was not (a thermometer I put in said it was around 10 degrees. The recommended temperature for refrigerators is between 4-5 degrees Celsius - https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/charities/temperature-control).
Unfortunately after a few months it started to make a whining noise. Admittedly I have sensitive hearing but it was extremely annoying. I had the service person out but they couldn't fix it. It was driving me absolutely crazy. I love to cook so am in the kitchen a lot of the time. I had taken to ripping the back panel of the freezer every few weeks and using a hair dryer to reduce the build up of ice (this was reason I got rid of the old fridge in the first place). This process would reduce the noise for a few days. Then it would return. The noise seems originate from the evaporator fan at the back of the freezer.
For two and a half years and through trial and error I tried to fix this noise, but to no avail. Kelvinator, to their credit, did offer to send someone out again after I posted a negative review on their product website, but I couldn't see any point. This was to my mind a design or manufacturing problem. I was a dab hand at removing the freezer shelf with all the food in one go and using long nose pliers to have the back panel off in seconds (I left the 2 retaining screws off for ease of removal). I tried duct taping some of the openings, removing some of the styrofoam insulation from both behind the freezer and the fridge sections. I fabricated a separate duct to channel the fan's air directly to the fridge section. Nothing worked long term. All thought of warranties had long gone. I was resigned to the fact I had a lemon. It really was only suitable for use in a garage where you couldn't hear it, but even then the fridge section wasn't really cold enough.
Then a few days ago I took the fan out and contemplated replacing the blade- see photo attached. I thought it might be a problem with the balance of the blade. What I did do though was drill the plastic end section of the blade so I could push the blade down the axle shaft so the blade was closer to the fan motor (you have to take the pressure spring retaining the blade off first to allow the blade to be removed). I put it all back together again; and to my astonishment I have had a deafening silence for 3 days! Finally! And for bonus points, the temperature in the fridge is now also an almost satisfactory 5 degrees - see photo (note that I have removed and left off the styrofoam panel behind the fridge back panel, which channelled the air, for this temperature - I suspect that it restricted the quantity of cold air coming from the narrow hole between the freezer and the fridge).
So in summary, if you are audiologically challenged, have strong arms, are handy with tools, and don't mind a warmer than ideal fridge, then this refrigerator would be okay. Apologies for the long review, but I needed to express my frustrations, torment and cathartic resolution. Also, I hope this might help someone, or perhaps Kelvinator, to review the design of the evaporator fan blade.
Nice shelves… but terrible fridge. Buy something else! – Fridge is very underpowered, and temperature controls are very suspect. It is a shame as the shelving and cabinetry are great. But a fridge needs to be a fridge!
Does what it's supposed to do. No problems – Purchased from Air-conditioning Warehouse to replace an old (1970's) box A/C. It's installed in a double brick wall and works as intended, being… Read more
somewhat quieter than expected (though still louder than a split system), and copes fine with hot weather (I'm in Adelaide).
Overall it works as expected, no complaints. Doesn't have any fancy functions, just basic settings for temperature, mode etc, but it does the job.
For installation, the machine slides out of its cabinet on a chassis so can install the box first, get that secured, then just put the machinery back in (easily done, it's all on the one tray and just slides back into the cabinet) then clip the front cover back on. Easier than it sounds and it only requires undoing a couple of screws to do that, which is detailed in the manual.
Can also route the cable to come out either side, whichever is preferred.
Tip - set the mode to heat or cool, set the fan speed to auto and temperature as required. This works a lot better in my experience than setting the mode to full auto. Also make sure to point the outlet louvre down for heating, up for cooling, as this improves performance.
Ac defective out of the box – I would love to say that this was a great air conditioner but I am unable to tell. We had it installed by a qualified electrician and it gave an… Read more
error code immediately and wouldn’t work. Lodged a warranty claim and the agent they sent out diagnosed a main board defect which needed to be replaced. Seven weeks later and we still don’t have a working ac. The overseas call centre can only tell me they will send an email and call back. Which they never do. I know this can happen to anyone but companies are measured by their response to this issues. I am still without heating in our bedroom in winter.
This is a budget fridge. Forget the RRP it most commonly retails for low $400. At that price it's very favourable compared to the competition asking… Read more
$500 for a sub 200L fridge. Yes it comes with only 3 door bins and no deli compartment. That's why its 60L larger than the competition for less money. It's also a compressor not an inverter fridge.
My previous fridge was a Haier 220L in similar configuration. The increased size of this makes a real difference to a tiny 200L fridge. The freezer is eye level and the fridge compartment feels at a more natural height. I was happy with the Haier for 10yrs but eventually the door bins broke and then it became a real pain as there was nowhere in the fridge to stand a bottle of milk. So that got junked.
In the category its in, single person's fridge at a budget price it's the best value for money out there. If you want a fancier fridge with all the trimmings prepare to pay $600+ for a fridge. I compared both smaller and similar fridges in the 300L range. I came back to this because the price differential was huge. I'm happy to lose the deli compartment (which I always found a PITA in my old fridge anyway) for the price cut.
The days of cheap, massive fridges are over. We don't get a lot for our money but I paid around the same for this fridge as I did for my Haier when I bought it in 2015 and got more fridge. So it's a win for me. If you are the kind of person that likes to store 100 half used jars of stuff in your fridge, and need the useless egg shelf and an ice tray that twists into a bucket, you probably need to buy something else. It 'might' do for a small family if you don't do a lot of cooking but otherwise it's really best suited to single/couple household.
Less than 4 years and fridge stopped working! – Update: less than a year after repair and the fridge broke down again. So disappointing. I should have used the money to buy a new one that's not… Read more
Kelvinator.
Update: The technician charged 155$ (also as per their website, 155$ on weekdays, 185$ on weekends). Unfortunately, we also had to pay for parts, in this case, a fan worth 121$. Total cost was $276. I am happy with the service but the question in my mind now is how long this will last now? I would say stay away from this specific model.
I should have read this review first before purchasing arrgh! The fridge is not even 4 years old and already not getting cold. The freezer works which is leading me to believe there is a bigger fault somewhere. Folks have suggested to turn off for a few days but seriously doint that will fix it. This product looks like a dud to me. I went for an aussie brand hoping it will last but guess i was wrong? My parents have a Kelvinator that's about 30yrs old and still going, so did I get a lemon?
And now Electrolux wants $165 to service the fridge again. I can unequivocally say this is the… Read more
Specs incorrect (cheated) – The ambient temperature on website said to be able to operate heating at -7C degrees, while at 3C degrees tonight, compressor doesn't produce heat… Read more
anymore and stops after one hour operation. I had to turn off and turn on again (Happening tonight 19-7-2022 when temperature low) Not sure how to survive minus temperature for tomorrow. Model: KWH22HRF bought this year
Is it powerful enough? – I am actually reviewing the KWH39CRF (identical, except cooling only), so rather than create a new category I'll use this one. To start with, the… Read more
fresh-air vent hole is larger than usual, so that's a plus. Noise is good.
I just don't think it is as cold when set to 16°C as the power output indicates (and yes I'm keeping the drain plug in as the manufacturer recommends to active the splash-cool system). It needs to cool a combined kitchen and dining room. It was a good test today when it was delivered because the outside air was only (a humid) 21°C and inside was 24°C at the start of the test, so I would have expected bone-chilling air from the front of it after a few minutes. A good 40°C day will put it to the test.
In retrospect though, I should have gone for the deeper KWH52CRF which is the maximum for 10 amps.
EDIT 4/3/25: We've had one 40-degree day so far and it is appearing to cope, but takes some time to cool down. With summer now over there is no chance of a 45-degree day to really put it to the test. Nevertheless, I've increased the number of stars to four.
Can't open fresh veggie container – The difficulty with this fridge is the sliding vegetable container on the bottom of the fridge. It does not slide easily in and out in order to… Read more
remove vegetables and add new ones. It gets stuck and requires constant manouevres. Our old fridge had two containers that were much easier to access. This large single container is much less practical and difficult to access. I thought the design of the new model would be an improvement not worse.
Dear Chris We would appreciate the opportunity to… Read more