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5 Things To Check When Buying A Refrigerator That No One Tells You

When buying a refrigerator, many people focus on the brand name. However, there are 5 more important criteria that you should check before making a purchase. Read on to find out more!

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19 April, 2024

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5 Criteria You Should Consider Before Buying a Refrigerator

When it comes to buying a refrigerator, what is the first criterion you think about? Many people tend to choose a refrigerator based on its brand. But did you know that there are up to 5 criteria you need to check before buying a refrigerator, beyond its brand name? What are those criteria? Let’s find out in this article!

1 Refrigerator Capacity

The first factor you need to consider when buying a refrigerator is its **capacity**. Choosing the right capacity for your fridge directly affects its ability to store food and drinks. To select the appropriate capacity, consider the following factors:

Number of family members: For a 1-2 person household, a refrigerator with a capacity of 90-150L is suitable, while a family with more members may need a refrigerator with a capacity of 400L or more. For families with 5 or more members, it is advisable to choose a refrigerator with a capacity of 600L or more.
Usage needs: If you often freeze food, you need to choose a refrigerator with a large freezer compartment. If you usually store fruits and vegetables, you should choose a refrigerator with a larger fresh food compartment. Also, make sure the size of the refrigerator fits the dimensions of your kitchen space.

Refrigerator Capacity

2 Refrigerator Design

The design of a refrigerator is also a factor that many people are interested in. Refrigerators usually come in single-door, double-door, four-door, or French-door styles. You should prioritize choosing a 4-door refrigerator for the convenience of organizing and retrieving food from different compartments.

Refrigerator Design

3 Cooling Technology

Along with factors such as capacity, design, and brand, **the cooling system of a refrigerator also plays an important role in food preservation** and affects its efficiency.

Older refrigerators typically use direct cooling systems, but this often leads to frost buildup, affecting performance. In contrast, **fan-cooled cooling systems are becoming increasingly common in modern refrigerators**. This system circulates cold air, helping to maintain an even temperature throughout the refrigerator and minimizing frost buildup, resulting in better food preservation.

Cooling Technology

4 Refrigerator Compressor

The compressor is a crucial part of a refrigerator that you should pay attention to. **There are two common types of compressors: fixed-speed compressors and variable-speed (Inverter) compressors**. Fixed-speed compressors are less expensive and operate at a fixed power, often cycling on and off to maintain temperature, leading to high energy consumption, reduced durability, and loud noise.

On the other hand, **variable-speed compressors are more expensive but offer several advantages**. They **adjust their speed according to usage demand, which helps save energy, operate more quietly, and last longer**. In summary, prioritizing a refrigerator with a variable-speed compressor will optimize performance and reduce costs in the long run.

Refrigerator Compressor

5 Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of a refrigerator is a critical factor that we need to consider. Since refrigerators operate continuously, 24/7, to maintain the temperature of food, choosing a refrigerator with low energy efficiency will help reduce electricity costs over time.

When buying a refrigerator, **pay attention to two main factors**: **the number of stars and the energy efficiency rating**, usually displayed on the product’s energy label. The more stars, the higher the energy-saving capability of the refrigerator.

Energy Efficiency

These are the 5 criteria to check before buying a refrigerator that we have compiled. We hope this article has provided you with useful information.

Frequently asked questions

Capacity is crucial. For smaller households (1-2 people), a 90-150L fridge is sufficient. Larger families of 5 or more should opt for 600L+ refrigerators. Also, consider your usage habits; if you freeze a lot of food, a larger freezer is necessary, while fruit and vegetable enthusiasts should prioritize a bigger fresh food compartment.

Design matters for convenience and accessibility. The 4-door refrigerator style is recommended as it offers separate compartments, making it easier to organize and access different types of food. This design also helps maintain an even temperature across compartments.

Direct cooling systems are found in older refrigerators and can lead to frost buildup, impacting performance. Fan-cooled systems, now common in modern fridges, circulate cold air to maintain consistent temperatures and minimize frost, resulting in better food preservation.

Variable-speed compressors are more expensive but offer long-term benefits. They adjust their speed based on demand, saving energy and reducing noise. This adaptability also extends the compressor’s lifespan, making it a cost-effective, high-performance choice.

Look for two key indicators on the product’s energy label: the number of stars and the energy efficiency rating. More stars indicate higher energy savings. A refrigerator with good energy efficiency will help reduce electricity costs over its lifetime of continuous use.