Are bottom mount fridges better?
Bottom-mount refrigerators like the Amana ABC2037DTS are better for many households because the fresh-food section sits at eye level, so you reach everyday items more easily and bend less often. They are a strong choice if you use the refrigerator compartment more than the freezer.
A bottom-mount design tends to feel more convenient day to day because the refrigerator section is the most-used space.
Common advantages
- Fresh food is easier to see and grab (less crouching).
- Wider refrigerator shelves often make it easier to store platters and meal prep containers.
- Freezer drawers can organize frozen foods into baskets/levels.
- Better ergonomics for frequent snacking, cooking, and kids’ access to fridge items.
Common tradeoffs
- Freezer access usually requires bending or pulling out a drawer.
- Freezer drawers can feel heavier when fully loaded.
- Some layouts make it easier for cold air to spill when the freezer drawer is open.
| Feature | Bottom-mount (ABC2037DTS style) | Top-freezer style |
|---|---|---|
| Most-used items | At eye/waist level | Lower shelves require more bending |
| Freezer access | Pull-out drawer | Door shelves and bins are easy to see |
| Organization | Great for fresh food | Often simpler freezer access |
Refrigerator layout affects comfort and food waste. When fresh food is easier to see, it is more likely to get used before it expires, and daily cooking feels less tiring.
If convenience is your goal, keeping core systems working well matters more than the door style. For ABC2037DTS, these parts are commonly involved in cooling and usability repairs:
- Refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1 (water taste/flow)
- Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker (D7824706Q) D7824706Q (ice production)
- Refrigerator damper control assembly WP67003903 (fresh-food temperature balance)
- Evaporator motor WPW10128551 (air circulation)
For water and filter-related upkeep, we recommend following how to replace the water filter in an Amana refrigerator.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my Amana refrigerator leaking water on the floor?
Water on the floor around your Amana ABC2037DTS bottom-mount refrigerator is usually caused by a clogged defrost drain, a cracked or shifted drain pan, or a water-supply leak to the ice maker or dispenser. Start by checking for ice or debris in the drain path and inspecting water lines and fittings.
- Clogged defrost drain: Meltwater can back up, freeze, then overflow into the fresh food section and onto the floor.
- Drain pan issue: A pan that is cracked, out of position, or overfilled can drip underneath.
- Water filter or housing leak: A loose or mis-seated filter can drip, especially right after a filter change.
- Water inlet valve leak: A seeping valve can drip slowly and leave a puddle near the back.
- Tube or fitting leak: A nicked tube or loose union can leak only when the ice maker fills.
- Locate the puddle: Front-center often points to a drain issue; back-left/back-right often points to water supply.
- Check the freezer floor for ice: A sheet of ice usually indicates a defrost drain restriction.
- Inspect the drain pan: Pull the unit forward and look for cracks and proper placement.
- Check filter and water connections: Reseat the filter and inspect tubing connections for drips.
- Watch a fill cycle (if you have an ice maker): Leaks that appear only during filling point to the inlet valve, tube, or fittings.
| Leak symptom | Most likely area | Part to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Drips at back near water line | Valve seeping or not closing fully | Refrigerator water inlet valve assembly WP67006531 |
| Drip after filter change | Filter not seated, O-ring issue, housing drip | Refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1 |
| Intermittent leak during ice maker fill | Loose connection or damaged line | Refrigerator water supply tube union, 5/16 x 5/16-in WP2300868 |
A small leak can turn into floor damage, moldy odors, and poor cooling if the defrost drain keeps icing over. Fixing the source also helps prevent repeat puddles and ice buildup.
- Use our guide: how to get rid of refrigerator puddles
- If the leak is tied to the dispenser or ice maker water line: how to diagnose a faulty refrigerator water inlet valve
- If you recently replaced the filter: how to replace the water filter in an Amana refrigerator
Last updated: February 2026
What are the disadvantages of a bottom freezer refrigerator?
A bottom-freezer design like the Amana ABC2037DTS keeps fresh food at eye level, but it makes you bend for frozen items and it puts more wear on the freezer drawer, slides, and door seal over time. It also typically costs more than a basic top-freezer refrigerator.
- You have to bend or squat to reach frozen foods (especially items at the back of the drawer).
- The freezer drawer can feel heavy when fully loaded, which increases strain on rails and alignment.
- Freezer organization can be harder because items stack in a deep bin.
- If the freezer door is left slightly open, frost and temperature swings can happen faster.
- Repairs can be more involved when issues are in the lower compartment (ice buildup, fan noise, defrost problems).
Bottom-freezer models commonly develop performance issues from airflow restrictions, door sealing problems, or ice maker and water system issues.
- Warm freezer or soft ice cream: check for airflow problems and listen for fan noise.
- Frost buildup in freezer: check door closing, gasket sealing, and defrost performance.
- Water or ice maker issues: check the filter and inlet valve operation.
| Symptom | Common area to inspect | Example part on this model page |
|---|---|---|
| Bad taste/slow water flow | Water filter | Refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1 |
| No ice or small cubes | Ice maker | Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker (D7824706Q) D7824706Q |
| No water to dispenser/ice maker | Water inlet valve | Refrigerator water inlet valve assembly WP67006531 |
| Frost/ice buildup | Defrost system | Refrigerator defrost heater WP67002493 |
Most “bottom freezer disadvantages” come down to ergonomics and wear: the freezer drawer gets used hard, and any small sealing or airflow issue can quickly show up as frost, odors, or inconsistent temperatures. Keeping the door sealing well and the water system maintained prevents many common complaints.
- Use how to replace the water filter in an Amana refrigerator to keep water flow and ice quality consistent.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the bottom part of a refrigerator called?
On an Amana ABC2037DTS bottom-mount refrigerator, the “bottom part” most people mean is the compressor compartment (the machinery area underneath or behind the cabinet). The main component down there is the compressor, which pumps refrigerant to keep the refrigerator and freezer cold.
Depending on the exact layout, the bottom area commonly includes:
- Compressor (the sealed pump that drives the cooling cycle)
- Start device and overload (helps the compressor start and protects it)
- Condenser fan and blade (moves air across the condenser coil)
- Drain pan (catches defrost water so it can evaporate)
- Condenser coil (releases heat from the refrigerant)
| What you call it | What it usually means | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom compartment | Compressor compartment | Houses cooling-system components |
| Motor at the bottom | Compressor | Circulates refrigerant |
| Fan underneath | Condenser fan/blade | Cools the condenser and compressor area |
| Pan underneath | Drain pan | Collects defrost water |
If you’re troubleshooting a noise, warm temps, or water under the fridge, the bottom area is often involved.
- Clicking, humming, then stopping: compressor start components can be involved (see refrigerator start device W10613606)
- Rattling or buzzing near the floor: condenser fan blade can be loose or damaged (see blade, cond W10156818)
- Water pooling under the refrigerator: drain pan or defrost drain issues can be involved (see pan, drain 1 WP12579803)
Knowing the correct name helps you match symptoms to the right system. For example, “bottom fan noise” usually points to the condenser fan area, while “not cooling” can involve the compressor, start device, or airflow problems.
Last updated: February 2026





