Image courtesy - Whirlpool
These days, home appliances are equipped with
intuitive features and are available at affordable prices. The same goes for
refrigerators as well. With so many models to choose from, it is challenging to
get what you need. So, how to choose the best refrigerator for your needs? This
refrigerator buying guide is here to make things easy for you. All you have to
do is keep certain things in mind before buying the right one.
Remember, it’s a big decision for anyone to make when buying a refrigerator. Whether you want to buy a refrigerator under 20,000 or afford one having a price tag of over 1,00,000, there is a refrigerator for everyone. Hence, make a thorough research before tapping on the ‘Buy Now’ button. That way, you can make the most out of your investment.
Refrigerator Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Buying a Refrigerator
Buying a refrigerator is one of the biggest investments that you make toward home appliances. Therefore, you have to make sure what you need. Because technology is always evolving, you can find devices equipped with many features. Additionally, you can find refrigerators in a variety of price ranges. You need the best machine according to your needs while remaining within your budget. In that case, you should consider a few important things to make your investment worthwhile. Continue reading the refrigerator buying guide.
1. Know The Different Types of Refrigerator
To get started, you should understand the types of refrigerators. It helps you make an informed decision on what you need. Depending on the structure and size, below listed are the different types of refrigerators you should know.
Single Door Refrigerators
This is the basic model that you can find in most homes. They are perfect for two to three people. These refrigerators come with a freezer placed behind the door. The capacity can be anywhere between 50 and 250 liters. Because they come with basic features, you can find them in under 20,000. A single-door refrigerator is a great option for households with less space.
Freezer-on-Top Refrigerators
These kinds of refrigerators are common in households with many members. Sometimes, they are referred to as double-door refrigerators. The freezer is on top of the main storage compartment. They come with a capacity between 250 and 600 liters. However, they consume more power compared to single-door refrigerators.
Freezer-on-Bottom Refrigerators
It is another kind of double-door refrigerator that comes with a bottom freezer. With the bottom freezer in place, it utilizes the space in the basement of the refrigerator. Compared to a normal refrigerator, they come at a high price tag. Also, they have a capacity between 250 and 350 liters.
Side-by-Side Refrigerators
As the name suggests, side-by-side refrigerators have doors both on the left and right. The freezers are located next to one another with each one having equal space. They are great for people who have members with mobility issues. Or, someone who has difficulties reaching low or high spaces. Side-by-side refrigerators include numerous shelves and bins. Besides, they are quite expensive as well. They have a minimum capacity of 350 liters and a maximum capacity of 850 liters.
Image courtesy - LG
However, the storage capacities mentioned in this refrigerator buying guide give you an idea about the space you can have. It depends on the manufacturers how they want to introduce a product in the market. There are certain criteria that they need to evaluate.
2. Understand The Defrost System in Refrigerators
When the refrigerator works for long hours continuously, a layer of frost or ice accumulates around the freezer or evaporator coil. As such, it causes a problem for the evaporator coil by disrupting the cooling effect. In short, the evaporator coil begins to act like an insulator.
As a result, it leads to a loss of cooling effect and reduces the performance of the refrigerator drastically. In addition, there would be an increase in electricity bills. Hence, the householder gets less cooling effect while paying more bills.
The process of removing frost or ice accumulated in the freezer or evaporator is called defrosting. To prevent the formation of ice in the freezer, automatic controls are deployed in modern-day refrigerators. They are called defrost systems. The following are the two types of defrost systems you can find in refrigerators.
Direct Cooling
If you are looking for an energy-efficient and reliable refrigerator, consider investing in a model that comes with direct cool technology. Because these refrigerators cool the interiors through natural means, there is no need for blowers or noisy fans. Still, ice formation is possible in the freezer due to inadequate air circulation. Despite that, you can manually defrost the freezer once every two weeks.
Frost Free
Refrigerators that don’t need manual defrosting are equipped with frost-free technology. These refrigerators tend to maintain continuous temperature throughout the storage and help preserve food for longer hours. Almost every model that you come across these days is frost-free. Also, they consume a lot of electricity compared to other types of refrigerators.
3. Find the Perfect Storage Capacity for Your Needs
The number of people in your household and their eating habits determine how many liters of storage you need. Are you married and have children? Or, still a bachelor? Do you or anyone from your family members have mobility issues? Do you have elderly people at home along with your spouse and kids?
These are some important questions that impact the size and configuration of the refrigerator you would buy. Family size is an important consideration when buying a refrigerator. Typically, you can have an idea about the capacity of the refrigerator you need through the list provided below.
- For a bachelor or couple, 50 to 200 liters capacity should be enough.
- If you have a nuclear family, 250 to 300 liters is perfect
- For 4 to 5 members, around 350 liters capacity should get the job done.
- And, for 6 or even more members, you have to choose a refrigerator with at least 500 liters capacity
Apart from that, if you love eating frozen food, it is likely that you will need a bigger refrigerator. In that case, a side-by-side or bottom freezer refrigerator should be the right option for you. If your family members eat fresh fruits and vegetables, it is good to choose a model with more storage compartment space rather than a freezer.
Additionally, how many food items you buy at once determines the size of the refrigerator that you need. If you like to stock items frequently, you may not need bigger compartments. But if you want to stock the food items for a specific timeframe, your stocks would be more. So, you need more compartment space.
4. Importance of Finish in Refrigerators
No wonder, you will look at the refrigerator every day. Therefore, it is wise to choose a finish that improves the aesthetics of your kitchen while making you feel happy.
- Stainless Steel – Nothing can be compared to the metallic, clean look of a stainless steel refrigerator. Furthermore, most stainless steel models are smudge-proof. It means that you do not have to spend several hours taking off the fingerprints.
- Black Stainless Steel – It is another great choice for many people who want to keep their household items clean. Because black stainless steel resists fingerprints, it is easy to maintain them. Although magnets might scratch the surface on rare occasions, beware of using them on your refrigerator.
- Plain White or Black – If you want to match your refrigerator with other appliances in your kitchen, you can opt for any one of these classic finishes. Moreover, a refrigerator in plain white or black costs less compared to the above-mentioned options.
- Other Colors – Every manufacturer produces refrigerators in a variety of colors and they look great. If you do not have anything specific in your mind, choose from bold color choices.
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| Samsung Stainless Steel Refrigerator
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5. Significance of Having Energy Star Label on Refrigerators
Another important factor that you should consider when buying a refrigerator in India is to look for the Energy Star label. It tells you how much electricity the model will consume. Energy Star provides you with the energy performance of any appliance.
It has a rating of 1 to 5 stars, where 5 represents a more energy-efficient appliance. Therefore, more stars mean less energy consumption. As such, you can save a lot on your energy bills. After air conditioners and coolers, refrigerators are the next big home appliances.
Hence, consider the Energy Stars of refrigerators before moving ahead with the purchase. Because the lifespan of a refrigerator is much longer, having a better Energy Star rating saves you a lot of money in the long run.
6. Should You Consider a Budget When Buying a Refrigerator?
Just like with other appliances, price plays an important role when it comes to buying a new refrigerator. So, before you finalize a specific model, make sure how much you are going to spend.
The price for a basic refrigerator starts at about 10,000 and can go as high as 2,00,000 and even beyond. Buying a refrigerator is one of your biggest investments. So, make it worthwhile by considering the budget.
7. Special Features Worth Considering
If you want more from your refrigerator other than keeping foods cold, consider models that include those facilities. Listed below are some helpful features that are worth considering when buying a refrigerator.
- Ice and Water Dispensers – These are dispensers for water and ice to build externally into the door. They increase storage capacity while reducing freezer capacity.
- Temperature Control – The feature allows the refrigerator to adjust the internal temperature according to the amount of stored food.
- Intuitive Inverter Technology – A cost-effective solution that helps the compressor run smoothly regardless of the varying speeds and load needed by the equipment.
- Adjustable Shelves – They offer flexible storage solutions while making it easy for you to clean. They are made of toughened glass or increased strength.
- Air Filters – When fruits ripen, they release ethylene gas. It causes vegetables and other fruits to rot prematurely. Some high-end refrigerators resolve the issue by incorporating gas filters into the storage compartment.
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| Image courtesy – LG (Water and Ice Dispenser) |
8. Know the Warranty Policy
Whenever you buy a new refrigerator, the manufacturer offers at least one year warranty. It is wise to know about having an extended warranty on the product. Sometimes the extended warranties cover compressor parts with a warranty of up to 10 years.
The extended warranties come at a cost. But it makes you feel relaxed for years to come in case there are issues. Some brands even offer you annual maintenance services that extend beyond the limited warranty.
9. The Best Time to Buy a Refrigerator
The best time to buy home appliances is during the sale from reputed online shops such as Amazon and Flipkart. These companies offer sales during the festive seasons more often. The manufacturers launch new products considering the festive seasons in India.
It means that the refrigerator that you want to buy may come with an attractive discount during that period. Additionally, the previously launched models might go on sale for a reduced price. Hence, check out the offers from online stores before purchasing to avail of discounts.
Refrigerator Buying Guide: Conclusion
When it comes to buying a refrigerator, it requires careful consideration. In short, you have to evaluate certain factors to make sure that you made the right decision. When you follow this refrigerator buying guide, it helps you navigate through an array of options you find on the market.
Keep in mind that you need to prioritize your requirements while aligning the features of the refrigerator with your lifestyle. Moreover, it is wise to research different brands, compare prices, and read customer reviews online to get the best value refrigerator.
When you have the best refrigerator, you can enjoy its long-lasting performance and enjoy its convenience. An outstanding refrigerator will improve the overall looks of your kitchen. Besides, it will cater to the food storage needs of your family for many years to come.