Purchasing a fridge is a significant decision to make. You depend on the fridge to keep your food fresh. Also, your fridge will be a center among your kitchen appliance collections. Also, you want to invest in an energy-efficient fridge to save money on your utility bills and help protect the environment. However, choosing the right refrigerateur can be overwhelming as you encounter endless options out there. Also, you will have to consider many factors such as sizes, features, configurations, and others. Thankfully, by considering the factors below, you will not go wrong with your fridge purchase:
Energy Efficiency
Choosing appliances with ENERGY STAR certification will help you save on energy usage at home which will ultimately let you save money. After your cooling and heating systems, the fridge is perhaps the next biggest energy user in your house. Fortunately, recent improvements in compressors and insulation have paved the way for the introduction of refrigerators that use much less energy than older models.
Configurations
Fridges come in various configurations that include a bottom freezer, freezer, and side-by-side. You don’t have to stick to the configuration of your old fridge as long as you get the right size. Top ENERGY STAR top-freezer refrigerators use less energy than a 60-watt light bulb. Of all fridge configurations, these models tend to use the least energy are reasonably priced.
Fridge Size
In general, bigger refrigerators tend to consume greater energy. Typically, energy-efficient models are 16-20 cubic feet. If you are looking to buy a new fridge to replace your old one, don’t use the old fridge to have more storage space. One of the reasons you may be getting a new fridge is for extra storage so buy the right fridge size that can accommodate your needs.
Features
Refrigerator models vary in features. Are you looking to invest in a fridge that has an icemaker, hot water, or through-the-door ice? If so, prepare to pay extra for these features. You will need this investment in the initial purchase price and the product’s lifetime. For instance, through-the-door ice can add around 84, kWh of energy which means a few extra dollars added to your utility bill.
When getting rid of your old fridge, ensure you recycle it properly. This can prevent this energy-wasting unit from being used by in another household. Also, recycling avoids the potential release of harmful materials that could come from the old refrigerant and foam.
