This is Richard, service manager for the Vinotemp brand.
If you are reporting that this noise occurs specifically more or less every 15 minutes, then that would coincide with the compressor motor cycling back on to maintain internal temperature where the wines are stored. Similar to any central AC system, the thermostat would register how warm or cold the designated space gets to power on and off the compressor to maintain the set temperature.
For the wine coolers, in place of a thermostat, there are 3 electronic components (pcb,led control panel, and sensors) that work concurrently to monitor and maintain temperature within a tolerance to account for temperature fluctuations. The led panel has pre-programmed parameters to regulate temperature differentials, and these parameters enable the compressor to cycle on and off as needed. As mentioned, the initial sharp buzz when the compressor motor turns over is due to the surge of the starting amperage required for compressor to power on. You will hear a similar sound when an AC condensing unit powers on to maintain the set temperature programmed on its thermostat.
Since the product was purchased through Lowe's, Vinotemp or the legacy companies aren't liable to issue a full refund when the product is deemed to be in working order.
Per our warranty terms and conditions posted online and also found in your printed copy of the product's owner's manual, it is stated as below: Defective Return and Exchanges: Prior diagnosis and troubleshooting by Vinotemp Technical Service Team is required for a defective product exchange to occur, should all other repair remedies fail.
https://vinotemp.com/pages/terms-and-conditions
Kindly review link provided for full disclosure of warranty terms and conditions.
