Five Fridges & Freezers Lessons From The Pros
Energy Efficient Fridges and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers are an essential component of our homes, and they use a lot of power. Selecting a model that is energy efficient will help you save money and protect our environment.
There are a variety of fridges to choose from including models with bottom freezers which allow you to easily access your frozen treats. There are also fridges with adjustable storage options and reversible doors.
Stores
Refrigerators come with a variety of storage options that can help you stay organized and locate the items you require. Refrigerators with adjustable shelves, for example can expand their storage capacity and make it easy to see items stored at all levels. Some models come with sliding drawers that permit you to access tall items such as liter bottles. This is helpful for homes where space is restricted. Make sure you choose models with spill-proof shelves, as well, to prevent spills and spills from forming on them.
Consider models with separate freezers if are looking for a larger refrigerator. They are designed to be used for food that you're planning to store for a long time and it's crucial to select the best one for your requirements. They also consume less energy than traditional fridges with a freezer section, because they don't need to be as laborious to cool the space.
Another option is to go for a fridge that has an enormous capacity. The LG the NE59LCRXXU offers 635 litres of space and comes with an additional door compartment for wine racks and ice. This model is smart and comes with the ThinQ app which lets you alter the temperature and monitor power use remotely.
Other options for additional fridge space are a separate freezer or refrigerator freezer drawer unit. These can be used to store extra items without taking up floor space and can be a good solution for areas such as games rooms, home offices or garages. These can be accessed through two doors or pull-out drawers and are great for keeping drinks and snacks in the office, or storing the food items to cook when you're relaxing in the backyard.
The American-style refrigerator freezer is a favorite choice for a lot of homes. It's designed with a freezer on top of the fridge, rather than the horizontal split more common in the UK. These tend to have a larger capacity than mini-fridges that are small and are available in side-by-side or chest-style. Brands may include an ice maker or water dispenser or be fitted with a plumbed-in.
Energy efficiency
Fridges are one of the biggest energy consumers in the home. An old fridge will cost you a lot to run. Replacing small fridge freezer with a new, energy efficient model can make a huge impact on your electricity bill. Use the Flip Your Fridge Calculator to find out how much you're spending on your current fridge. You can also find out about the savings that could be made by switching to a brand new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator.
A lot of ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerators include features such as automatic icemakers and through-the-door ice dispensers. These features help keep the fridge at a stable temperature, but they can also increase the energy consumption by 14-20 percent and should be taken into be aware of this when comparing fridges.
Refrigerators have improved their efficiency in recent years due to federal efficiency standards. Energy-saving fridges and freezers can save hundreds of dollars in electricity bills over the life of their older models. Modern refrigerators use less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Manufacturers are slowly switching to a refrigerant called R600a that isn't a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and doesn't deplete the Ozone layer. However, it's highly flammable and must be handled with care. Verify the warranty on your fridge before purchasing it, and also learn how to use this new refrigerant.
Whether you use R134a or a different type of refrigerant, your new fridge should still be ENERGY Certified STAR. The energy label of the appliance will tell you the energy efficiency rating. The energy label will inform you the appliance's yearly electricity consumption in kWh and compare it with other refrigerators with similar capacity.
The most efficient way to get most energy efficiency from your fridge is to not overfill it with food. To maintain the right temperature, a refrigerator that is completely filled will use more energy than one that is only partially filled. So only store the items you know you'll require. This will decrease the number of times you open and shut the fridge. This can affect the capacity of the appliance to keep the temperature at a constant level. The more frequently you open and close the fridge the more it tries to cool things back down, so minimizing the openings of doors is essential to ensure that your fridge is energy efficient.
Convenience
Refrigerator freezers have several useful features that make life easier. Some models have Humidity Controlled Crisper Drawers which keep vegetables and fruits fresh. Others come with half Width Deli drawers that provide easy access to meats and cheeses. They also come with In-Door Water and Ice Dispensers to reduce the cost and waste of purchasing bottled water and ice. These fridges have adjustable shelves to accommodate large items such as platters and cookie sheets.
Some fridges are made for specific uses. For instance wine refrigerators and beverage fridges can be used at restaurant or at home. These fridges come with doors made of glass or solid, and with or without freezers. There are also specialty fridges that can be used as portable, like camping fridge freezers and travel fridges.
Certain refrigerators and freezers come in chest-style designs. These are perfect for families with smaller numbers of people. They can be kept in a garage, storage space or even in the basement. They also have a freezer compartment positioned at the bottom, making it easier to access than traditional refrigerator freezers that have the freezer section on the top.
Medical freezers provide a range of convenience features to ensure the storage of vaccines and food safely in healthcare facilities. These refrigerators have battery backup systems that can provide power in the event of a disruption or outage. Medical refrigeration systems must be regularly tested and maintained to ensure they work properly.
Freezers and refrigerators can be used for almost any situation where chilled drinks or food is needed. They are particularly useful in hot climates, where heat can deteriorate foods and medications. In cities like Bangkok you will find couriers who deliver blocks of ice to street sellers all day long to keep their food and medicines safe. These appliances, which are small but crucial, can save lives and stop serious health issues from occurring. It is crucial to select the right refrigerator for your home or office.
Design
Freezers and refrigerators are available in different designs to fit any kitchen style. There are slimline and curvaceous models, tall American-style freezers, single-door or double-door appliances and more. They can come with distinct cooling zones, various temperatures, and an Ice maker and cold water dispenser.
The design of the refrigerator can affect how much it will cost to run, as it influences the amount of air circulated. A tall upright fridge for instance is likely to lose cooler air than chest-style units. Therefore, it will cost more to run.
The finishes of refrigerators are stainless steel and white or black plastic and other colors. The finishes aren't just for appearance, though they can help keep cool air in the refrigerator and keep fingers from sticking to them!
A fridge-freezer is a combination of cooling systems with subfreezing freezer. The temperature can be set between 0deg and 5degC which means that one can store food items in both the freezer as well as the fridge. However, the freezer section is generally set at a lower temperature, which is around -18degC for long-term storage.
Freezers are designed to receive items in their natural state and preserve them at very low temperatures. These conditions inhibit the growth of microorganisms and slow down chemical reactions and stop spoilage. They are most often seen in large commercial freezers but they are also found in homes as well.
There are a myriad of clever features to your fridge or freezer to make it more efficient and practical. Beko's HarvestFresh technology, for example, uses natural light to replicate day-and-night cycles in your drawers that are crisper. This helps keep your food fresher for longer. Certain appliances have a built-in video camera that lets you check the contents of your appliance using an app without opening the door.