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Refrigerator Buying Guide

The fridge is one of the most important components in your kitchen and is an essential appliance in most households. From its simple chilled box predecessor, fridge models today range from the basic styles to the more sophisticated models with an array of interior features. You can use the fridge to store processed food, beverages, vegetables, and other cooking essentials. With different types of refrigerators available in the market today buying one with the right features has become all the more important.

Different Types Of Fridge And Their Key Features

Top Freezer Refrigerator

The top freezer refrigerator is perhaps the most popular model, where the freezer compartment is located at the top of the fresh food compartment. You can find many top freezer models in the market nowadays, often available with a range of built-in features. Most top freezer fridge models have a height of anywhere from 66 inches to 68 inches, with average width of 29 inches and depth of 31 inches.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

A bottom freezer refrigerator has its freezer compartment situated below the fresh food compartment. If you are looking for a refrigerator that allows you to easily reach into the items you need, since they are situated at eye level, the bottom freezer refrigerator is ideal for you.

Side by Side Refrigerator

The side by side fridge features the freezer and the fresh food compartment on either sides. Since this fridge type does not need a lot of door clearance, it is ideal for a lot of kitchens. Most side by side refrigerators are built with water dispensers and ice dispensers, with an average height of 71 inches.

French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

The French door refrigerator is a combination of the side by side model and the bottom freezer type. Since the French door refrigerator is versatile and can be easily customized, many consumers choose to have their French door fridge restyled to suit their kitchen cabinetry. Average height of these refrigerator types is at 68 inches.

Designer Model Refrigerators

Designer refrigerators are often built around style, although most of them are also loaded with a lot of useful features. Some of these designer refrigerators are modeled after the side by side design or the French door model. These designer models may come with wide fresh food compartments, spacious crisper drawer, wine cooler, and a separate meat organizer.

Compact Refrigerators

Compact refrigerators are small-sized fridge models which are ideal for use in dorms, bachelor's pads, small studio apartments. They may be placed in the bar area as well or even under a sink. There are many models of compact refrigerators sold nowadays, and may be designed with a stainless steel exterior and a lot of storage options.

Basic Features To Look For

There are certain basic features you need to look for when buying a fridge. Some models are designed in a simpler style while others have more sophisticated designs and features. The important thing is to understand what makes up a good refrigerator, so you can choose which models suit your kitchen best.

Size

The size and style of your fridge should be given due consideration prior to shopping. When choosing which size to buy, you need to determine whether you will be storing a lot of food or whether you have ample kitchen space. If you're living on your own for example, a huge fridge with a lot of compartments may not be such a wise idea.

Style

When it comes to the style, it is best to consider your needs first as well. Is a bigger fridge necessary for all your kitchen activities and storage requirements? Or is a basic top-freezer fridge enough for you? Would you rather have a bottom freezer so you can easily retrieve items from the fresh food compartments? Choosing the configuration of your fridge doesn't have to be difficult, as long as you consider your needs, first and foremost.

Features

Most of the modern fridge models sold nowadays have a number of attractive and sophisticated features. The more sophisticated a refrigerator is, the better are its features. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that additional features often mean additional expense. Sophisticated models are generally more expensive. Before going for that fridge with an automatic ice maker or a wide snack drawer, ask yourself first whether you need these extras and if they are well worth the higher price tag.

Other Factors To Consider When Buying A Fridge

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most attractive features marketed by many refrigerator manufacturers nowadays. A fridge that has the energy star label is known to be more energy efficient than other models, allowing you to save on energy costs in the long-term. Since larger refrigerators are more expensive to operate as far as energy consumption is concerned, it will be a smart idea for you to choose energy efficient models when buying bigger fridge models. When shopping for a fridge therefore, see to it first if the model is manufactured to be more energy efficient. This will allow you substantial energy savings in the years to come.

Warranties And Customer Service

Most of the refrigerators marketed nowadays are sold with at least one year warranty for the parts including labor and repair, and five years for the refrigerator system. If you want to get a better warranty plan, one that will allow your fridge to be covered by an extended warranty, you can purchase one for a certain price. It is important to check with salesperson at your local appliance store as to whether they offer extended warranties on all of their refrigerator models or if only select models have extended warranties.

With the wide availability of different fridge models, from simple construction to the more sophisticated, choosing one that meets your lifestyle needs best is most important. You may purchase your new refrigerator from your local appliance store or you may choose among the wide variety of fridge models online. The important thing is to know what you need, and by inspecting the product first hand and getting valuable information from a customer representative, getting the fridge that suits you well is easy.