Refrigerator Freezer
From LoveToKnow Buy
Refrigerator freezers design and efficiency has changed dramatically during the past few years. Refrigerator freezers today are much more energy efficient, lighter and more solidly built than previous models. Tech has entered the marketplace. Keypads are replacing knob controls. Programmable cooling of different sections is now available. Metal has been replaced by plastic.
Features to look for
When shopping, look for features that will make your life easier. Keep in mind that the refrigerator freezer you buy should last for years, so you’ll have to live with your purchase for a long time. Designs have changed to keep the user in mind. Look for adjustable features make interiors both flexible and functional.
- Height-adjustable door bins: accommodate two-liter bottles of soda or gallon bottles of water.
- Adjustable shelves to fit tall items.
- Split-level shelves adjusted to different heights independent of each other.
- Sliding Shelf door brackets Adjustable plastic barriers that secure bottles and jars. Some models have horizontal wine rack bottle storage.
- Glass shelves: Most have a raised rim to contain spills. Some models slide out for easy cleaning. Glass shelves are much easier to clean than wire racks which can tip narrow-bottomed bottles and jars.
- Pull-out freezer bins for easy access.
- Temperature-controlled drawers or bins with individual controls to set the interiors of these several degrees cooler for storing meat or fish. Veggie crispers have separate controls to maintain humidity and provide longer produce and fruit shelf life.
- Transparent drawers let you identify what’s inside.
- Easy-to-use electronic touchpads controls with digital temperature displays.
- Icemakers that can be hooked to an external water filter for fresh ice either in the freezer bin or inside the door.
- In-door ice-and-water dispensers provide cold water and ice at the press of a small switch.
- Water filters to reduce lead, chlorine, and other impurities in ice and drinking water.
Refrigerator freezer style issues
- Curved door designs and handles provide an attractive look.
- A variety of finishes and colors from standard pebbled, to more expensive fingerprint-resistant stainless with clear coatings.
- Side-by-side, upper-lower or lower-upper freezer-refrigerator combos.
- Customizable door surfaces to match your kitchen décor
- Left or right opening doors.
Energy labels
Those yellow Energy Labels help you to determine your operating costs over the course of a year. Generally sales prices on refrigerator models seem to be ignore energy labels as retailers seek to move those units providing the most profit onto an unsuspecting public. A refrigerator runs 24/7/365, constantly consuming electrical power in kilowatt-hours a year. A $20 difference in operating costs can add up quickly, not only during the first year but in succeeding years when electrical rates inevitably increase. Check and compare labels carefully.
Warranties
Most manufacturers offer two-to-four-year warranties. But since you’ll expect your unit to last longer, buy a warranty that not only covers the cost of fixing or replacing the unit, but a “lemon” clause that will provide replacement if repair troops are dispatched to your residence several times and are unable to fix a problem. Also make sure you warranty covers the loss of food. Bigger capacity means more food stored and more than will quickly go bad should the unit fail.
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