A refrigerator appliance may be provided that includes a housing, a first fluid-motivating unit (FMU), a second FMU, and a controller. The housing may define a chilled chamber. The first FMU may be mounted to the housing. The second FMU may be mounted to the housing apart from the first FMU. The controller may be in operable communication with the first FMU and the second FMU. The controller may be configured to initiate a cooling operation. The cooling operation may include activating the first FMU to generate a first fluid flow, increasing a speed setting of the first FMU gradually at a first predetermined ramp rate, activating the second FMU subsequent to activating the first FMU to generate a second fluid flow, and increasing a speed setting of the second FMU gradually.