RefrigeratorsBottom Freezer
Thermador T36BT120NS Refrigerator Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 18.8 cu. ft. bottom-freezer refrigerator, with verified specifications.
- Capacity18.8 cu. ft.
- StyleBottom Freezer
- Energy use584 kWh/yr
- Est. yearly cost$99.28
About the Thermador T36BT120NS
The Thermador T36BT120NS is a 18.8 cu. ft. bottom-freezer refrigerator certified under the ENERGY STAR program. The cabinet measures 84 in. high and 36 in. wide.
Notable equipment on this model includes an automatic ice maker and a built-in (panel-ready or fitted) design. It uses automatic defrost.
Rated energy consumption is 584 kWh per year, 10% below the U.S. federal maximum for its product class. That is lower than 42% of the 1,580 Bottom Freezer models in our database.
Specifications
| Brand | Thermador |
|---|---|
| Model number | T36BT120NS |
| Configuration | Bottom Freezer |
| Total capacity | 18.8 cu. ft. |
| Adjusted volume | 23.4 cu. ft. |
| Height | 84.0 in. |
| Width | 36.0 in. |
| Defrost type | Automatic |
| Automatic ice maker | Yes |
| Through-the-door dispenser | No |
| Counter-depth design | No |
| Built-in installation | Yes |
| Annual energy use | 584 kWh/yr |
| U.S. federal standard | 641 kWh/yr |
| Better than federal standard | 10% |
| Smart / connected features | No |
| Refrigerant | R-600a (GWP:3 | Lower GWP) |
| DOE product class | 5I-BI - Built-In Refrigerator-freezers - automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with an automatic icemaker without through-the-door ice service |
| ENERGY STAR Most Efficient | No |
Safety information
- Plug the unit into a dedicated, grounded 115 V / 60 Hz outlet. Do not use an extension cord, adapter plug or a GFCI-protected kitchen circuit unless local code requires it.
- Use two or more people to move and install the appliance; a refrigerator is top-heavy when the doors are open.
- Never let children climb, sit or stand on shelves, drawers or doors.
- Before disposing of an old refrigerator, remove the doors and leave the shelves in place so children cannot become trapped inside.
- Unplug the unit (or switch off the breaker) before replacing a light bulb, cleaning the condenser or performing any repair.
- Keep fingers out of the ice-maker mechanism and the dispenser chute; the ejector arm can start without warning.
Installation and first-time setup
Measure the installation space and every doorway on the delivery path before the unit arrives. This model is 36 in. wide and 84 in. tall; allow about 1 in. of extra width and height in the opening so air can circulate and the doors can swing past adjacent cabinets.
- Choose the location
Pick a level floor away from ovens, heating vents and direct sunlight. Room temperature between 55 °F and 110 °F (13–43 °C) keeps the compressor working in its design range — avoid unheated garages in winter unless the manufacturer rates the model for garage use.
- Unpack and inspect
Remove all tape, foam and shipping blocks, including any compressor shipping bolts noted on a tag at the rear. Check that the cabinet and doors are undamaged.
- Let it stand
If the refrigerator was transported on its side, stand it upright for at least four hours (overnight is better) before plugging it in so compressor oil can drain back.
- Level the cabinet
Adjust the front leveling legs or rollers so the cabinet is level side to side and tilted very slightly backward. This helps the doors close by themselves and seal properly.
- Connect the water supply
Connect a 1/4 in. copper or braided stainless supply line to a cold-water pipe with 20–120 psi of pressure, using a shut-off valve you can reach. Avoid self-piercing saddle valves, which tend to leak. Check every fitting for drips after turning the water on.
- Secure the built-in unit
Built-in models must be anchored to the surrounding cabinetry or wall with the supplied anti-tip hardware, and custom door panels must be fitted to the weight limits in the installation instructions. Professional installation is strongly recommended.
- Power on and cool down
Plug in the unit and leave the controls at the factory setting. Allow 12–24 hours for the cabinet to reach temperature before loading fresh food.
- Prime the ice maker
Turn on the ice maker and discard the first two or three batches of ice; they can contain air and particles from new plumbing.
Using your refrigerator
Recommended temperature settings
| Compartment | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food section | 37 °F (3 °C) | Keeps food below the 40 °F (4 °C) food-safety limit without freezing produce. |
| Freezer | 0 °F (−18 °C) | Stops bacterial growth and preserves texture for long-term storage. |
Change the setting one step at a time and wait 24 hours before adjusting again. An inexpensive appliance thermometer placed in a glass of water on the middle shelf gives the most accurate reading.
Organizing food for even cooling
- Store milk, eggs and raw meat on interior shelves — the door bins are the warmest part of the cabinet.
- Keep raw meat, poultry and fish on the lowest shelf in a sealed container so juices cannot drip onto ready-to-eat food.
- Use the high-humidity crisper for leafy greens and the low-humidity drawer for fruit that releases ethylene, such as apples and pears.
- Do not block the air vents at the back of the compartment; leave a small gap between packages so cold air can circulate.
- Let hot food cool briefly, but refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.
Using the ice maker
A new ice maker typically needs 24 hours to produce its first full bin. Production stops automatically when the bin is full or the feeler arm/sensor is raised. Turn the ice maker off if the water supply is shut off or you will be away for an extended time, so the fill valve does not run dry.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every week | Discard expired food and wipe up spills while they are fresh. |
| Every month | Wash shelves and bins with warm water and mild dish soap; dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners on plastic liners. |
| Every 3 months | Check the door gaskets: close the door on a strip of paper — if it slides out easily, clean the gasket or have it replaced. |
| Every 6–12 months | Unplug the unit and vacuum the condenser coils (behind the toe-grille or at the rear) to keep the compressor running efficiently. |
| Every 6 months | Replace the water filter, or sooner if the filter indicator lights or water flow drops. |
| Before a long absence | Remove food, unplug, clean and dry the interior, and prop the doors open to prevent odor and mold. |
Troubleshooting
Most refrigerator problems can be solved without a service call. Work through the checks below before contacting an authorized technician.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food section is too warm | Control set too warm; vents blocked by food; door not sealing; dirty condenser coils. | Set to 37 °F and wait 24 h; rearrange items away from vents; clean gaskets and check leveling; vacuum the coils. |
| Runs all the time | New unit still pulling down; hot room; frequent door openings; dirty coils. | Allow 24 h after installation; improve ventilation around the cabinet; clean the coils. Modern high-efficiency compressors run longer at lower speed by design. |
| Frost or ice inside the freezer | Door left ajar; worn gasket; humid air entering. | Check that nothing prevents the door from closing; test the gasket with a paper strip; defrost and reseal. |
| Water on the floor | Clogged defrost drain; loose water-supply fitting; drain pan out of place. | Flush the drain with warm water; tighten fittings; reseat the drain pan. |
| Clicking, gurgling or humming sounds | Normal refrigerant flow, defrost heater, fan and valve operation. | These sounds are normal. Loud rattling usually means the cabinet is not level or something is touching the rear tubing. |
| Condensation on the outside of the cabinet | High room humidity; door not fully closed. | Wipe dry; verify the door seals. Some sweating in very humid weather is normal. |
| Ice maker not producing ice | Ice maker switched off; water valve closed; freezer warmer than about 10 °F; clogged filter. | Turn the ice maker on; open the supply valve; lower the freezer setting; replace the filter. |
Energy use and running costs
The Thermador T36BT120NS is rated at 584 kWh per year under the U.S. Department of Energy test procedure. At an average electricity price of $0.17 per kWh, that works out to about $99.28 per year, or roughly $8.27 per month.
The federal maximum for this product class is 641 kWh/yr, so this model uses 57 kWh less per year — about $9.69 saved annually, or $116 over a typical 12-year service life.
Real-world consumption varies with room temperature, how often the doors are opened, temperature settings and whether the ice maker is in use.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Thermador T36BT120NS?
The Thermador T36BT120NS has a total capacity of 18.8 cubic feet (adjusted volume 23.4 cu. ft., which weights freezer space more heavily for energy calculations).
What are the dimensions of the Thermador T36BT120NS?
It is 84 inches high and 36 inches wide. Depth is not published in the certification data, so confirm it with the manufacturer's specification sheet before ordering.
How much electricity does the Thermador T36BT120NS use?
It is rated at 584 kWh per year, which costs about $99.28 a year at $0.17/kWh.
Does the Thermador T36BT120NS have an ice maker?
Yes. It has an automatic ice maker, which requires a cold-water supply connection.
What temperature should I set my Thermador refrigerator to?
Set the fresh-food compartment to 37 °F (3 °C) and the freezer to 0 °F (−18 °C). Wait 24 hours after any change before checking the temperature again.
What refrigerant does the Thermador T36BT120NS use?
The certification record lists R-600a (GWP:3 | Lower GWP).
Is the Thermador T36BT120NS ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators list, with a certification date of March 2024.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified March 20, 2024), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Thermador. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Thermador or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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