Choosing the Right Refrigerator for Your Household Needs

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Whether you’re shopping for a new fridge or replacing an old model, the choices are endless. Consider your storage needs and how you’ll use your refrigerator before choosing a style.

Other factors to consider include energy efficiency, crisper drawers with humidity controls, and door alarms that help you avoid forgetting to close your fridge.

Table of Contents

Size

When shopping for a new refrigerator, many people focus on two things: the physical dimensions and storage capacity. While both are important factors to consider, one may trump the other depending on your household needs.

On average, experts recommend having 4 to 6 cubic feet of fridge space per person in your household. For example, if you live alone, a compact refrigerator might be the best fit for your kitchen.

In addition to the overall size of a refrigerator, you also need to consider its depth and height. This is especially important if you are looking to place it in a pre-existing built-in location. Make sure that your refrigerator will not overlap your counters or bump into other appliances or fixtures when closed. It’s also important to measure any doorways and staircases that it will need to go through.

Energy Efficiency

Refrigerators and freezers keep foods, drinks and vegetables fresher longer. They also slow bacterial growth in cooked meats and dairy products. Refrigerators are used in almost all households and help us make the most of our food choices.

Refrigeration also helps reduce energy use and emissions from home appliances. It is a critical component of any effort to reduce fossil fuel use in our homes.

A refrigerator uses a closed-loop system with a refrigerant – usually an HFC blend or isobutane these days. Its cooling effect is enhanced when the coils are cleaned regularly. Dirt on the coils restricts air flow and the fridge works harder to cool your foods. Clean the coils twice a year and ensure that the gasket seal is in good shape.

Door Material

A refrigerator (also called a fridge) keeps perishable food and drinks at a cool temperature to prevent spoilage. They come in a variety of sizes from the small cube that’s used in college dorm rooms to keep a six-pack of soda cold to the huge walk-in refrigerators that serve restaurants and grocery stores.

The type of door can have a big impact on how much energy your refrigerator uses. The best doors are made from materials that are strong, secure, and energy efficient.

Steel is one of the strongest and most secure options, while fiberglass offers a wood-mimicking look without the warping problems of solid wood. Fiberglass is also resistant to heat, cold, and moisture and requires very little maintenance. It’s also an excellent insulator.

Color

If you’re ready to splurge on a refrigerator that can serve as a true statement piece, there are plenty of colorful options. Just be careful that you don’t choose a color that clashes with the rest of your kitchen or home. You want your fridge to match the style you have now, and to work with any updates in your future.

White refrigerators are traditional and classic, and they blend well with light cabinets. They’re also less expensive than stainless steel and custom colors.

Stainless steel fridges are popular for their durability and versatility, but they can show smudges and fingerprints easily. Some manufacturers offer black stainless steel finishes that are easier to clean and blend in with dark cabinets. They’re also a good choice for homeowners who want the look of stainless steel without the maintenance.

Warranty

When choosing a refrigerator, it is important to keep in mind the warranty. Top-rated appliance warranties often include a variety of repair and replacement options, reimbursement for service calls, and customer support. In order to obtain the maximum benefit from an appliance warranty, it is crucial to register the product with the manufacturer within a few days of purchase. This allows you to bypass the receipt verification process and expedites the in-warranty repair process.

Investing in an extended home warranty is another way to ensure that you are protected after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Refrigerators are complex appliances that can encounter a wide range of issues, so it’s important to find a warranty provider with an excellent reputation for customer service and reliable coverage options.