County Down Outlook - Features - Fridge Freezer Buying Guide

Features

Fridge Freezer Buying Guide

Friday, 17 September 2010

Fridge Freezer Buying Guide

You might be surprised to learn that your fridge freezer uses more electricity than any other appliance you have in your home. It runs 24 hours a day, year long and has one of the most important jobs in the kitchen: keeping your food fresh. So when it comes to buying a new fridge freezer, you need to make sure that you are buying one which is both economical and suitable for your needs.

The first thing you will need to consider is how much space you have. Luckily today's fridge freezers are flexible, allowing you to choose the size and combination which best suits the space you have in your kitchen. If you wish, you can purchase a fridge and a freezer separately, placing them under your worktop giving you more surface area in your kitchen design. Most individual fridges or freezers will have a standard height of 85cm to fit under the worktop, while taller, larder style ones will come in at 145cm. The under-counter option also gives you the flexibility to match the frontage to your kitchen cupboards.

An individual freezer can be purchased as an under-counter style, a larder freezer or even as a chest freezer. A chest freezer will come in many different sizes and offers large families the ability to store food for long periods of time. Many people place these into their garages in addition to their usual smaller freezer in the kitchen.

Of course, it is also possible to buy a combination fridge freezer with varying ratios. You might decide that you need a larger freezer than fridge, a slim line option or even an American style fridge freezer. This last option will give you the ultimate in space and convenience.

American style fridge freezers often come with built-in ice and water dispensers and will usually have a double door system with a fridge on one side and a freezer on the other. It is worthwhile bearing in mind that American style fridge freezers will need to be plumbed into your water supply, though, so think about where it will be placed before you buy. While you will need a larger kitchen for this style of appliance, the benefits certainly outweigh the space restrictions.

One very important consideration when you are buying a new fridge freezer is what the energy rating of your appliance is. These days many of us want to make sure that we minimise our effect on the environment and choosing an efficient fridge freezer can be an important step in the right direction.

According to Which?, running costs between the more efficient models and the least efficient can be as much as £75 a year. If you use your fridge freezer for ten years, then buying an 'A' rated model can represent a significant saving. Fridge freezers are rated from A-G, with 'G' being the least efficient. 'A' rated appliances may be more expensive to buy, but the long-term benefits and savings should outweigh this.

When you decide to shop for a new fridge freezer, you may well feel bombarded by the number of accessories and options that are available to you. In addition to the styles of fridge freezer we have outlined above, the following may also be useful to consider.

Shelving: These will often come in glass or plastic, both of which are easy to remove and clean. They will also catch spills, leaving your fridge nice and clean. Some models may also have bottle holders, storage drawers for fruit and vegetables, removable baskets and ice drawers.

Thermostats: Being able to adjust the temperature in your fridge is important as it will vary depending on how often it is opened and how full it is. Although it seems counter-intuitive, a fridge or a freezer will actually work more efficiently the fuller it is. Often fridges will come with a warning alert to tell you when the temperature has fallen too far.

Freezer extras: Many models of freezer will now come with a fast freeze drawer or section. These are perfect for storing items that require a quick freeze, such as ice cream. Also, frost-free freezers are more or less standard these days. Their temperature is adjusted automatically to ensure that no frost build-up occurs.

Buying a new fridge freezer is an important purchase and can seem overwhelming. Taking the advice of your salesperson and reading this guide should hopefully point you in the right direction to make the best choice for you and your family.