When it comes to household appliances and electronics, in addition to familiar names like TV, air conditioner, fan, or microwave…, we can’t forget the name of the refrigerator. The refrigerator is responsible for storing and preserving food, from fresh to cooked, from various fruits and vegetables to meat, fish, drinks, and even cakes and candies… Food stored in the refrigerator will stay fresh longer and be more guaranteed than when stored in an ambient temperature environment.
A refrigerator will consist of 2 basic compartments, the fresh compartment and the freezer compartment. Normally, the fresh compartment will occupy about 2/3 of the storage capacity of the refrigerator, while the freezer compartment will occupy the remaining 1/3 and is usually located at the top. However, nowadays, there are also refrigerators with completely different designs on the market, with the freezer compartment located at the bottom instead of the top. So what does this mean? What are the differences between top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerators, and which one is truly a better choice, especially in terms of energy efficiency?
Those are the questions that many users ponder when facing the decision to buy a new refrigerator for their family, especially during the summer when the demand for using this device is higher.
According to experts, distributors, and manufacturers of different refrigerator models, it is difficult to determine whether a top freezer or bottom freezer refrigerator is better. Each type has its own advantages, and they are designed to cater to certain needs of users.
However, when it comes to answering the question of which refrigerator consumes less power and is more energy-efficient, there is a general consensus that top freezer refrigerators are more efficient.
A traditional design refrigerator with the freezer compartment on top is considered more energy-efficient (Image illustration)
Advantages of top freezer refrigerators
Top freezer refrigerators are considered the most traditional type. The freezer compartment is usually designed as a regular open door. The device uses a single cooling system, including one fan located in the freezer compartment. When operational, the cold air will be blown out from this freezer compartment – the upper spot downwards.
According to information from many specialized websites and experienced refrigerator retailers, having a top freezer helps the device have advantages such as lower purchase costs due to it being a basic and traditional model. It also has better energy efficiency, resulting in lower operating costs. In addition, top freezer refrigerators are also considered suitable for small kitchens or houses.
Albert Lee, a refrigerator retailer in the US established since 1939, further explained that due to the principle of transferring cold air from a higher place downwards, top freezer refrigerators will consume less energy. Besides, some users will find it more comfortable when they can easily reach for items from the top freezer compartment instead of the lower spot. Orion Creamer, the founder of a Big Chill appliance company, shares the same opinion, as reported in Reader’s Digest.
Lee said that in the US, the average annual cost of operating a top freezer refrigerator is about $37 – $94, while for a bottom freezer refrigerator, it is about $64 – $104.
Top freezer refrigerators make it easier for users to retrieve items from the top freezer compartment (Image illustration)
However, there are also some drawbacks of top freezer refrigerators that have been pointed out by experts. An article on House Digest mentioned that they may not have the conditions to equip many additional features that are helpful for food storage. They may also have less space for items and are generally perceived to be less modern or innovative compared to bottom freezer refrigerators.
Advantages of bottom freezer refrigerators
As mentioned earlier, unlike top freezer refrigerators, bottom freezer refrigerators are designed with the freezer compartment located below the fresh compartment, in the form of a pull-out drawer, which has appeared and gained attention in recent years. In bottom freezer refrigerators, the compressor is placed at the bottom, near the freezer compartment, using dual cooling technology instead of convection cooling. As a result, the cold air is maintained separately in the two compartments.
Also due to the operating principle, experts evaluate that bottom freezer refrigerators provide better food preservation in the freezer compartment. In addition, other advantages can be mentioned, such as more storage space in the freezer compartment, a more modern appearance, or for some users, it eliminates the need to reach for items at the highest area of the refrigerator and makes everything within reach.
Bottom freezer refrigerators are designed as pull-out drawers, with more storage space (Image illustration)
Additionally, in bottom freezer refrigerators, more modern features can be integrated, making them more convenient to use. Examples include built-in water filtration systems, dispensing water or ice outside the refrigerator, separate ice trays to prevent contamination of food, and electronic screens for smart control…
Due to these added features and modern designs, the price of bottom freezer refrigerators is generally higher than that of top freezer refrigerators of the same type, brand, or capacity. Also, due to the dual cooling mechanism, refrigerators with the freezer compartment below are more power-saving compared to refrigerators with a single cooling mechanism in the top freezer compartment.
When to choose a top freezer refrigerator or a bottom freezer refrigerator?
Each family should consider their own conditions and needs to choose a refrigerator that is suitable. For example, families with moderate financial capacity, limited space to place the appliance, and do not require many advanced features may find a top freezer refrigerator to be a good choice.
For families with more financial resources, larger available space, and a preference for experiencing smart and modern features, they can consider bottom freezer refrigerators. Nowadays, even top freezer refrigerators have been improved in terms of design and additional features, so if users want both energy-saving and refrigerators with many advanced technologies and features, they should also survey and consider such models.
According to Trí thức Trẻ
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