Refrigerators & Freezers
Introduction
Every kitchen needs somewhere to keep perishable food fresh. This has led manufacturers to cater to almost every need, such that the range of options in this area are nowadays seemingly endless.
Since the 1970s, it has been known that refrigerant gases such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) can damage the ozone, and in turn cause global warming. Since the 1990s all new fridges and freezers have been manufactured to use natural hydrocarbon gases, known as R600A and R134A, which cause no such damage to our environment.
- When installing a fridge or freezer, keep it upright at all times and leave it to stand for at least 6 hours before turning it on to allow the gases to settle.
Size & Format
A myriad of permutations and combinations of refrigerator & freezer size and shape are available on the market. To reduce the search somewhat, it helps to understand you and your family's needs in relation to fridge & freezer formats.
Electrical connections
- Fridges and freezers can be plugged into a standard socket, with a 13amp fuse in the plug, or alternatively can be ‘hard wired’ into a 13amp switched fuse connection.
- An American fridge freezer that dispenses water and ice will also need to be plumbed into the cold water supply if these features are to work.
Performance
Fridges and freezers are graded from A++ to G, where A++ is the best, for energy efficiency depending on the amount of electricity it uses.
Select a high graded machine to save money on running costs and get the best performance from your appliance.
Noise
Cooling appliances work using a compressor to force refrigerant gas through coils of evaporating pipes, and this mechanism can make a considerable noise, especially as the appliance increases in size.
More expensive models tend to be quieter as manufacturers insulate the machine better, so consider choosing a model that mentions this specifically, especially if your placing it in an open-plan living situation.
Key Features
- Frost Free & Auto Defrost - Any appliance that includes a freezer is at risk of becoming decreasingly efficient as ice builds up. Appliances that are frost free or have an auto defrost function include mechanisms to prevent ice building up, either by circulating dry air that contains no moisture which could turn to ice, or by regularly melting it. Freezers don’t have auto defrost functions to avoid spoiling the food stored in them.
- Capacity - The internal capacity of a fridge or freezer determines just how much food can be stored in it, and for comparison purposes this measurement, in cubic foot (cu ft), should be detailed on each model.
- Glass Shelves - More expensive than standard wire ones, but glass shelves do carry the advantages that they prevent spillages from dripping on to lower layers, they hold the cold to make the fridge function more efficiently and they are also easier to clean.
- Alarms - Now often fitted to freezers, audible alarms warn of a door that has been left open for an extended period of time.
- Freezer Rating – To show the temperature at which a freezer operates, star ratings are as follows;
Further information and useful links
- Find a Kitchen Appliances supplier near you
- Find an Electrician near you
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