Installation guide
Owner’s manual
Error Codes
What is the upper part of a fridge called?
In a top-mount refrigerator like the Hotpoint HTS17CBDHRWW, the upper section is the freezer compartment (often called the “top freezer”). It’s the coldest area, designed to keep foods frozen and to supply cold air to the fresh food section.
- Freezer shelves or a wire shelf
- Ice tray or optional ice maker area (model dependent)
- Freezer temperature control or airflow features (varies by design)
- Air vents that move cold air down to the fresh food compartment
| Section | Common name | Typical temperature | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper section (this model style) | Freezer compartment | Around 0°F | Long-term frozen storage |
| Lower section | Fresh food compartment | Around 37°F | Everyday refrigerated storage |
Knowing the correct name helps when you’re looking up parts, diagrams, or troubleshooting steps for airflow issues, frost buildup, or moisture near vents. For example, installation instructions for some top-freezer designs address moisture forming around the fresh food air vent and how airflow components should be positioned.
For the exact compartment names, vent locations, and any model-specific notes, use the HTS17CBDHRWW installation guide.
Last updated: January 2026
What is a fridge with freezer on top called?
A fridge with the freezer on top is called a top-freezer refrigerator (also commonly called a top-mount refrigerator). On Hotpoint model HTS17CBDHRWW, the freezer compartment sits above the fresh food compartment, typically with a separate door for each section.
- Top-freezer refrigerator
- Top-mount refrigerator
- Freezer-on-top refrigerator
- Two-door top-freezer style
The quickest way to confirm the configuration, door swing, and compartment layout is to check the diagrams and descriptions in the HTS17CBDHRWW owner's manual.
- Freezer door is the upper door
- Fresh food (refrigerator) door is the lower door
- Side-hinged doors (not a pull-out freezer drawer)
- Air vents between compartments to move cold air
| Style | Freezer location | Typical layout | Common benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-freezer (top-mount) | Top | Two swing doors | Classic layout, efficient use of space |
| Bottom-freezer | Bottom | Upper fridge door(s), lower drawer | Easier access to fresh food |
| Side-by-side | Left side | Vertical split doors | Narrow door swing, easy freezer access |
| French door | Bottom | Two upper doors, lower freezer drawer | Wide fresh food space |
Knowing the refrigerator style helps you match the right parts and instructions, especially for items like door gaskets, shelves, and door hardware that are specific to the cabinet and door design.
Last updated: January 2026
What are the disadvantages of a top mount fridge?
Top-mount (top-freezer) refrigerators like the Hotpoint HTS17CBDHRWW are usually simple and reliable, but the main disadvantages are less convenient fresh-food access, fewer organization features, and fewer built-in dispenser options compared with many bottom-freezer designs.
- You bend more for fresh food: the refrigerator section is lower, so everyday items can be less ergonomic.
- Freezer is easiest to reach: great if you use frozen foods often, less ideal if you mostly use fresh foods.
- Typically fewer premium features: many top-mount models skip in-door ice and water dispensers.
- Organization can be simpler: fewer adjustable bins, deli drawers, and specialty zones on many models.
- More temperature variation by height: warm air rises, so top shelves can run slightly warmer than lower shelves.
This Hotpoint top-freezer design can also be prone to moisture forming around the fresh food air vent in some situations. The installation instructions describe a foam control housing kit used to address moisture around that vent area; see the installation guide for the exact procedure and placement details.
| Feature | Top-mount (top-freezer) | Bottom-freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food access | Lower, more bending | Eye-level, easier access |
| Freezer access | Eye-level | Lower drawer, more bending |
| Typical features | More basic | More “feature-rich” |
| Cost and complexity | Often lower and simpler | Often higher and more complex |
Choosing a refrigerator layout affects daily comfort (how often you bend), food visibility (what gets forgotten), and whether you can add convenience features like dispensers. If you are troubleshooting moisture or airflow concerns, following the documented installation steps helps prevent repeat issues.
Last updated: January 2026
