Among the household appliances that cannot be missing in any home, whether you live alone or with your family, a good refrigerator certainly belongs. Unlike the majority of electrical devices typically used in kitchens, the latter does not have a real cycle of use, having to be available for the day: from this first consideration, we understand the importance of knowing how to choose the refrigerator, in compliance with modern ecological standards and with an eye to its specific energy consumption, all compatible with our budget.
When you find yourself needing to buy a new fridge, which would seem a straightforward shopping practice, it can become a daunting experience because there are so many models with different styles and features on the market that it becomes problematic to choose between them.
However, by analyzing some of the most essential features, we can make our task more manageable. In this article, we will examine the key factors to consider when making a purchase of a new refrigerator.
Types of refrigerators based on use
Of course, there are more types of refrigerators on the market, which can perform different functions: it starts from the very simple minibar, which can also be used at the table level to have drinks, cocktails and fresh aperitifs available at any time of the day, to arrive at classic single-door refrigerators for storing ingredients for their daily consumption or a maximum of 2-3 days.
If you are a small family, consider models with double doors and the so-called “combined” refrigerators, which offer more space for additional freezing functions, ideal for those who want to maintain a wide variety of ready-made food options.
Refrigerators and Cooling: How Do They Work?
In understanding how to choose the refrigerator, the first thing you need to ensure is an excellent efficiency with regard to the basic function of a refrigerator, namely that it is capable of a low temperature also, and above all, during the hot summer months.
This is essential to ensure that vegetables stay fresh and that foods like fish are kept at the right temperature. It is also necessary to ensure that the freezer section has sufficient space to store food for the entire family for at least a week.
So, we have to ask ourselves: how does it cool our ideal refrigerator, and in the choice, opt for the frosting methods most suited to the energy consumption range that our appliance will belong to?
Currently, two techniques are used.
Static Cooling
This is the standard type commonly found on old refrigerators, as well as in some modern models. In this case, at the center of the refrigerator’s mechanics, the cooling of the inner wall is achieved through an internal refrigerant circuit, forming a small sheet of ice that can subsequently be transformed into water collected in a small tank from which it will evaporate.
Frost-free cooling
This technique enables the avoidance of ice formation inside the appliance, innovating the technology by lowering the internal temperature through the recirculation of cold air produced within internal channels, thereby eliminating the need for manual defrosting every few months. A more attractive solution for singles and busy families, since the appliance will be able to solve the problem automatically.
How to Choose a Refrigerator Based on Capacity?
In addition to the traditional mono-door, widespread in most households and equipped with a small internal freezer compartment to bring food that requires it to freezer temperatures, we can concentrate on purchasing a combined refrigerator, which combines the qualities of the refrigerator classic to a 4-star freezer, allowing our foods to be preserved even more permanently and at lower temperatures (up to -4°F).
In addition, those with special dietary needs or large families may opt for a side-by-side refrigerator with a high capacity (up to 20 cu ft.) and additional drawers that can function as a freezer, an ice dispenser, and a water dispenser.
Refrigerators and Consumption: How to Make the Right Choice?
The consumption ranges of refrigerators of any type can be divided into different categories, listed in the appropriate Energy Label attached to the appliance. On it, we will find the brand and model of the refrigerator, as well as its energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours per year of operation) and capacity in cubic feet, noise level in dB, and, of course, the energy-efficiency class.
We consider the following classification: A for refrigerators with the lowest consumption, down to letters B and C, which progressively indicate lower energy efficiency. The letters ranging from D to G, once listed in older refrigerators for environmental protection and global energy savings, are no longer used in modern appliances, following the phase-out of environmentally harmful refrigerants, including the controversial CFC, which helps us direct our choice towards more innovative and renowned models for their efficiency.
