How to Select the Right Refrigerator for Your Household’s Needs
Do you need a new refrigerator? There are so many features to consider and even more options, which make selecting the right one for your family’s needs somewhat challenging.
Buying a new refrigerator is a serious decision, a major appliance that your family will be using for many years to come. You want to be sure that the brand, model and features you choose will be the right ones for your household.
To help you make this decision we’ve compiled some things that you should consider when shopping for your new refrigerator:
Size of Exterior – How large a refrigerator can the space in your kitchen accommodate?
If you have a refrigerator you’re replacing and it fits well within the space, you can measure it. Note the measurements of its exterior in terms of height, width and depth. Don’t forget to allow room for electrical cords and plugs, plus room for ventilation and airflow so the refrigerator can run properly and efficiently. You should also measure the doorways and any hallways your new refrigerator will have to fit within to be moved into the kitchen.
While considering all your options, use these measurements to determine whether the units you are considering will fit into the space you have without retrofitting your countertop and cabinets. You will also want your new refrigerator to open on the correct side so that when the door is open the interior is facing the kitchen not away towards the door. Don’t forget to measure the refrigerator’s door sizes to ensure that you will have enough clearance.
Size of Interior – Is the refrigerator large enough on the inside to adequately store your food?
The easiest way to determine this is to make note of what you have in your current refrigerator. What foods and beverages do you keep on hand that need to be refrigerated or frozen? Do you store a lot of fresh vegetables? If so, you will need to have plenty of drawers or crisper space. Do you like storing your eggs on the inside of the door? Where do you usually store your dairy items? Do you buy your beverages in liter bottles? If so, you’ll want adjustable shelves and/or room for tall bottles. If you buy frozen foods in bulk, measure your existing packages to ensure that the freezer shelves and/or drawers are ample.
Style
There are a wide variety of refrigerator types and styles in the marketplace today, as follows:
- Compact
- French door
- Side-by-side
- Top freezer
- Bottom freezer
In addition to asking yourself, ask your family members which type would make the most sense to accommodate everyone’s needs. If you have someone in your family with back problems you may want a top-freezer so they don’t have to bend over to lift things out. If you buy frozen foods in bulk, you would need wide shelves in the freezer compartment, so a side-by-side model would be out. If your kitchen is small, a compact model would allow for more space.
Energy usage
Each model comes with an Energy Guide. Read this carefully to determine what the energy consumption would be and the cost. Seriously consider refrigerators with an ENERGY STAR certification because they are around 9% more energy efficient than the minimum standards set forth by the federal government, which many models go by. A top-freezer refrigerator certified by ENERGY STAR will consume less energy than a typical 60-watt light bulb.
Features
Refrigerators have come a long way in recent years when it comes to features. I remember not long ago the only options available were water dispensers and icemakers. Today, you can get energy-saving controls along with temperature controlled drawers, not to mention smart phone connectivity, which allows you to check your contents while in the aisles at the supermarket. It is up to you to pick and choose your priorities while staying within your budget.
Color & Finish
Stainless steel is still the most popular finish for kitchen appliances; however there are some interesting new trends in metallic finishes, like copper, pewter and even gold. You can also get custom panel kits that allow you to match the front of your refrigerator/freezer to your kitchen cabinets to create a sleek uniform look. The classic white and almond exteriors blend well with many kitchen design schemes, so these will continue to be popular choices.
Whatever style or color you select for your new refrigerator, think about protecting this expensive appliance from the expense of unexpected breakdowns with a home warranty protection. And remember, should any maintenance issues arise with any of your appliances, you can count on Sparkle Appliance to give you sound advice and if need be, come out to your home to take care of the problem.
