In the market for a new refrigerator, then you should know what to look for before you pull out your credit card. What features to look, best options for your needs and more.
First off you should be aware there are 4 different types of refrigerators on the market, that include, top-freezer (or top-mount), bottom-freezer (or bottom-mount), side-by-side and built-in. Top-freezer fridges are the cheapest of all refrigerators, Second in price is the bottom freezer, which I personally have. Then there is the side by side models, which have 2 doors that open, one problem that I don't like is that side by side refrigerator models is that shelves are much narrower than top or bottom freezer fridge models. The most expensive is the built-in model, why do they cost the most? Built-in refrigerators are designed so they can match your kitchen's look and feel exactly. Many home owners match the refrigerator to the look of the kitchen cabinet doors, giving your home kitchen a seamless look.
Next when shopping around think of the size you want in a fridge. There are 4 different sizes to choose from, small (7 to 9.9 cubic feet), medium (10 to 13.9 cubic feet), large (14 to 19.9 cubic feet) and extra large (20 to 29 cubic feet). Measure you're fridge before you go shopping so you know how much space that you have to work with, the last thing you need is a fridge that won't fit the space! Also how much freezer space do you need? If you want as much space as possible choose a side-by-side unit.
I own an Amana bottom freezer refrigerator and it has a filtered water dispenser located inside the fridge this is very useful. You will save space because you won't need to purchase 4 gallon purified water jugs, get all the purified water right from your fridge. Oh and an ice maker is essential, this is standard feature in today's fridges.
What is the energy rating on the fridge, look for an efficient model that will save you money on your electrical bill. The most energy-efficient refrigerators range in size from 16-20 cubic foot sizes. Do they offer rebates on certain models, you can save hundreds of dollars if you choose a model that has some type of a rebate offer.
The last tip I can recommend is that you check out what kind of warranty your refrigerator has. Does it have a 1 year warranty on any part of the refrigerator that fails because of a defect. A good warranty will include five years on any part of the sealed refrigerating system.
Chris Vorelli is an author, providing info on all types of refrigerators, from wine refrigerators, to undercounter units and more. I offers information on Amana refrigerators,LG refrigerators, and True refrigerators .
Article Source: ezinearticles.comIn the beginning before refrigerators how did people preserve their food? A few of the early methods of food refrigeration methods include, snow, ice, cool streams, caves and cellars. The Chinese are credited with using ice to refrigerate food, which was around 100 B.C. Then the English invented the icehouse, these rooms were built underground and designed to keep food cold until the summer months arrived.
Actual refrigerators were invented and began being used for commercial purposes, such as rail cars and grocery stores in 1890. It took another 20 years until fridges were designed for household use. The company behind the first home refrigerator is no other than the General Electric Company.
A few years later a company called Kelvinator unveiled the first refrigerator with automatic controls, then as time passed Frigidaire introduced the first self-contained unit. Some of the early models of fridges used harmful chemicals to cool food, such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, or methyl chloride as their refrigerant, which were later dropped for safer refrigeration methods.
The 1950s lead way to more innovations and features such as automatic defrost, as well as automatic ice makers came onto the market.
Then in the 1970s government officials began focusing on refrigerators to make them more energy efficient, which led to elimination of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration sealed systems. As time evolved so have the styles and types of units. Now a days you can choose from a number of different styles of refrigerators such as side by side, bottom freezer, top freezer subzero and so on.
Types of Modern Refrigerators
side by side - this type of fridge is designed with the freezer and refrigerator next to one another, these unit are larger than bottom or top freezers models. If you have a large family and you have the space in your kitchen this is perfect.
bottom freezer refrigerators- freezer at the bottom of the fridge
top freezer - freezer located at the top of the fridge
compact refrigerator - If you live in a small space such as a bachelor apartment then this might be for you.
sub zero - this is a type of refrigerator and a brand as well. Sub-Zero fridges are dual refrigeration systems that offer clean air flow, the end result is fresher and longer lasting food.
Now a refrigerator is common in 99.5% of homes in North America. Newer models even offer built in water filtration systems, sleek stainless steel exteriors and more.
Richard Gazzo is an author, providing info on all types of refrigerators, from wine refrigerators, to undercounter units and more. I offer information on Maytag refrigerators, Samsung refrigerators, LG, True, GE, Amana refrigerators and more. ©
Article Source: ezinearticles.com|
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