Selecting a new refrigerator is a decision you may have to live with for more than 10 years, so finding the right fridge is important.
Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a new refrigerator. The decision to make the purchase is only the first of many decisions you will need to make in order to select the best refrigerator for your needs and budget.
Most appliance stores stock a variety of refrigerators in different colors and styles ranging in price from around $400 for a basic no-frills model to $5,000 for a sub-zero unit. Although the sub-zero models often are larger and provide more design options, it is they do tend to cost more to operate. In addition, it can be difficult to recoup your investment when the time comes to sell it.
Before considering what kind of refrigerator you want, measure the space you have available to house your new appliance. In addition to measuring height and width, you must measure the depth of the opening. This will help you to avoid choosing a refrigerator that juts out much further than your countertops. Furthermore, if you were harboring hope for a sub-zero refrigerator, you may find it will take up more space than you have.
Now think about the overall look of your kitchen. Is it retro? Modern? Allow the features of the space to help guide your refrigerator purchase. If your style is more eclectic, color may not matter to you as much. A contemporary kitchen may be well suited to black or stainless steel appliances. Remember that stainless steel tends to show fingerprints rather easily and black can be equally difficult to keep clean. Before you spring for the tomato red fridge featured on the showroom floor, think about how well you may like the color after looking at it for ten years. It is much easier to paint the walls than to change the color of your fridge. Just ask all the homeowners who needed to wait for their kids to graduate from college before they could replace all those avocado colored appliances.
Energy efficiency is another feature that can make a new refrigerator purchase rewarding. The most energy efficient refrigerators have the freezer placed above the refrigerated section. The least energy efficient models are the side-by-side refrigerators. You lose even more efficiency with the addition of a water and ice dispenser. New refrigerators should have a tag on them with their energy efficiency rating clearly stated. Look for this tag when comparing energy efficiency ratings for different models. It will provide you with the most accurate energy rating information. Appliances with an Energy Star rating are the most efficient to operate. This includes refrigerators.
Next, think about the types of shelving you want. Adjustable shelves are a pretty standard feature in all new refrigerators, but you can often choose open-air wire shelving or glass. Glass shelves can help to minimize clean-up when something leaks or is tipped over. It does tend to cost more than wire shelving. Make certain the model has the crispers or meat storage trays you will need.
You can compare many different new models from the convenience of your home or office. Simply log onto the Internet and visit one of the many consumer sites designed for to research appliances. Some of the better designed sites will allow you to select the features of the refrigerator you are looking for and it will return a list of refrigerators within your specified budget.
Once you have a specific model of refrigerator in mind, you may want to go on-line and look for reviews. Some sites offer reviews from experts as well as consumers. These may be helpful in ascertaining the long-term reliability of the model you are leaning toward purchasing.
Before you make your purchase, read the operating instructions and make certain the refrigerator will fit properly in the space you have available. Some refrigerators need 2" clearance behind it for the air to circulate properly. If a refrigerator of this type is butted up against the wall it may not operate properly or it may have a markedly shortened lifespan.
Finally, if you are financing your refrigerator with store credit, shop around for the best interest rates. Some stores will deliver the refrigerator at no charge if you pay for it using their in-house credit program. Delivery is not only an added convenience but also can help preserve your warranty. If you need service in the future and the technician sent to repair the refrigerator ascertains the problem is the result of an improper installation, your warranty may be voided. This is especially true when the refrigerator has a water or ice dispenser.
The time you invest now to select the best refrigerator for your needs will pay dividends in the years to come if you choose wisely.
