Refrigerators: Buying guide

Types of refrigerators

The following are the types of refrigerators available in the market, when classified with regard to their form factor: refrigerators with top-mount freezers, refrigerators with bottom-mount freezers, side-by-side refrigerators, and compact refrigerators.

Refrigerators with top-mount freezers, as the name implies, have their freezers mounted on the top. These refrigerators boast of wider shelves in both the fridge and the freezer sections, and are usually come with two doors—one for the freezer and the other for the fridge. Though refrigerators with top-mount freezers are less expensive, these consume more electricity as the coldest section of the fridge is located on the top, which hinders heat flow.

Quite straight-forwardly, refrigerators with bottom-mount freezers have their freezers mounted on the bottom. At present, these are the most popular types of freezers in the market, and probably rightly so. In these refrigerators, as the coldest section of the fridge is located on the bottom, the heat flow is optimal and temperatures are consistently maintained with minimal power consumption. As such, refrigerators with bottom-mount freezers are more efficient.

Next, we look at side-by-side refrigerators that are ideal for people with space constraints and for those that prefer narrower doors. A side-by-side refrigerator has a mini fridge on the right side and one or more freezer compartments on the left. An advantage of side-by-side refrigerators is that they provide easy access to both the freezer and the fridge compartments. Side-by-side refrigerators however have narrower shelves, and are not if you want large storage space.

Compact refrigerators are ideal for singles or for people for whom storage space is secondary, and for those who are heavily space constrained. Usually, these refrigerators often lack the advanced technologies and the bells and whistles that full-sized commonly refrigerators boast of.

Key considerations when buying a refrigerator

Having gone through the various types of refrigerators based on their form factors, we now look at some of the definite criteria that you should asses before deciding to purchase a refrigerator.

1. 1.    Dimensions/size: Needless to say, the dimensions and size of the refrigerator constitute the most important criterion. It would be better if you have a rough idea of the space you require in the refrigerator, and also if you would be certain as to whether or not you require a large freezer section. This will help you zero in on the refrigerators that are of the right size and dimensions. Another important factor is the space available in your house; do ensure that you measure the available space correctly lest you might just end with an appliance that is too big to fit in its spot.

1. 2.    Internal layout: Another criterion that is important is the internal layout. It is very necessary to check whether or not the internal layout of the refrigerator matches your needs, for example, is there ample space between the shelves, are there enough beverage racks, is the freezer compartment flexible enough for one-in-a-while large item storage, etc.

1. 3.    Style: Given that a refrigerator is a pretty big part of the kitchen, it is vital that it looks good, and modern-day refrigerators do look the part. In fact, some of the refrigerators are so good looking that you might be tempted to re-do our kitchen décor just so that it matches the refrigerator. The huge selection in terms of style and color allows you to go for matching refrigerators that matches well with other kitchen appliances like stove, shelves, and so on.

1. 4.    Energy saving efficiency: Given that environmental consciousness is a major social issue and that helping the environment be clean is a rather important responsibility, it is necessary that the refrigerator you buy is well-designed (in terms of energy usage) and is power efficient. Needless to say, the more the features in a refrigerator and the larger its size the higher the energy it would require. Thus, it is recommended that while buying a refrigerator, you ensure that it is energy efficient for maximum possible power savings. Many models come with an Energy Guide sticker that displays the annual energy consumption, represented in kilowatt hours (kWh). You can also assess the energy efficiency of refrigerators by checking the rating shown on the energy label (A being the best, G the worst energy-saver).

1. 5.    CFC Free: Most refrigerators today are CFC free—gas compounds that deplete the ozone layer, thus contributing to the green-house effect. Nevertheless, do ensure that you check this rather necessary detail.

1. 6.    Advanced features: While most refrigerators come with egg holders, interior lights, and replaceable shelves, some high-end refrigerators also come with advanced features such as ice maker, ice crusher, drink dispenser, water filter, shaped bottle shelves (to store large 2-litre bottles), etc. In addition, some refrigerators boast of interactive voice commands, networked interfaces, LCD screens (to display such information as temperature, optimal load, optimal layout, energy consumption, etc.), anti-bacterial systems, etc.

1. 7.    Warranty and Service: It is preferable to buy a new one rather than going for a used refrigerator. Also, it is advisable to go in for a model that gives at least 2-5 years of warranty and one year of service.

1. 8.    Brands: There are plenty of options available in the market for refrigerators when it comes to models and brands. Some prominent options include Haier, LG, Danby, Electrolux, GE, Avanti, and Whirlpool.

Summary

1. The modern-day refrigerator has undergone many changes, and is apt for the modern-day smart kitchen.
2. Modern-day refrigerators are more power-efficient, more environmentally friendly, boast of better ergonomics, and are also better looking.
3. Some refrigerators are true multimedia-interface devices, and information (and also feedback) on the temperature and humidity inside the fridge, optimal load, optimal layout, etc.
4. On the basis of their form factor, refrigerators are classified into the following: refrigerators with top-mount freezers, refrigerators with bottom-mount freezers, side-by-side refrigerators, and compact refrigerators.
5. The following are the definitive purchasing criteria that you ought to keep in mind before buying a refrigerator: dimensions/size, internal layout, looks, energy efficiency, advanced features, and warranty.
6. Prominent brands for refrigerators include Haier, LG, Danby, Electrolux, GE, Avanti, and Whirlpool.

Final word

As can be seen, buying a refrigerator is a rather complex task, and there are no fixed rules that will have a sure shot answer with regard to the purchase. Most likely, you’ll find that your short-list comprises of 7-8 models that offer varying compromises on one aspect or the other. In that case, simply prioritize on the basis of your refrigerator needs, your budget, the features that can be availed in the set budget, brand value, and choose the one that offers the best package.