Appliance Guides

Refrigerators Today's refrigerator/freezer is a far cry from the old icebox used on The Honeymooners. Innovations include door panels to match your kitchen cabinetry or appliances, narrow depths to fit snuggly into walls or between cabinets, and special food bins and refreshment centers in the refrigerator door. The refrigerator/freezer has also become one of the most expensive appliances in your kitchen. That's why it's important to shop smart. Fortunately, many new refrigerators conserve more energy than those made years ago. Since older units can gobble up as much as 25 percent of your household energy use, you'll see a substantial saving if you step up to a new energy-efficient model. Below is a series of questions and answers compiled by the experts at brandwise and the Good Housekeeping Institute to help you choose the right product for you.

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Questions and Answers

• What types of refrigerators/freezers are available?
  
• How do you size up your refrigerator/freezer capacity needs?
  
• How much do refrigerator/freezers vary in price?
  
• What does a shopper need to know about installing a refrigerator?
  
• What are the most important factors when selecting a refrigerator?
  
• Do some refrigerators conserve more energy than others?
  
• What are other features worth considering?
  
• What must shoppers know about delivery and installation of refrigerators?
  
• What kind of warranty do refrigerator manufacturers typically offer?
  

Q: What types of refrigerators/freezers are available?
A: There are top-mount refrigerator/freezers (with the freezer on top), bottom mounts (with the freezer on the bottom), and side-by-side units (those with vertical doors and the freezer to the left). If you want a side by side or bottom mount, you also need to decide whether to buy a built-in model, which fits flush into your kitchen wall and has a premium price, or a freestanding model, which has finished sides.

Top mounts are the most popular style and can hold such oversize items as birthday cakes and deli platters because of their wide shelves. But side by sides, which let you put frequently used items at eye level, give you access to more refrigerator and freezer shelves without bending-an asset for children or people in wheelchairs. You'll also find a wide selection of side by sides with automatic water/ice dispensers. Refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom, however, have a loyal following. Their design puts foods adults reach for most often at eye level. They also often feature sliding baskets in the freezer. Bottom mounts are slightly more expensive than top mounts, but are comparable in energy efficiency.

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Q: How do you size up your refrigerator/freezer capacity needs?
A: Allow 12 cu. ft. of refrigerator space for the first two members of your family, and tack on 4 cu. ft. for each additional member. For freezers, the rule of thumb is to allow 3 cu. ft. per person.

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Q: How much do refrigerator/freezers vary in price?
A: They can start at $400 for a freestanding model and cost $1,800 and higher for a top-of-the-line built-in with all the bells and whistles.

The $400 to $800 budget category typically includes 9- to 16-cu.-ft. top-mount models and are usually sold in white and almond (or the newly introduced bisque color). They're best for small households that don't require lots of freezer space. Many units in this price range come with wire shelves and separate freezer compartments with automatic defrost.

Move up to the $600 to $1,800 range and you get a greater choice of sizes--ranging from 17 to 25 cu. ft.--and exterior colors, such as black and stainless steel. Inside your refrigerator you'll probably find sliding, height-adjustable bins and height-adjustable shelves constructed of glass and meat and crisper drawers with temperature and humidity controls, respectively, to keep foods fresh long. Automatic icemakers inside are also sometimes included, but through-the-door ice and water dispensers are usually about $100 extra. Most low- and mid-priced refrigerator/freezers provide dial or slide controls to adjust the refrigerator temperature (best set at 34 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

The $1,800 and up refrigerator/freezers range from 26 cu. ft. to 30 cu. ft. and are often built-in. They are generally taller and wider than freestanding refrigerators.

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Q: What does a shopper need to know about installing a refrigerator?
A: Refrigerator/freezers typically range from 30 inches to 48 inches wide, 60 inches to 84 inches high, and 24 inches to 33 inches deep. Starting from the baseboard, measure the depth, height, and width of your space--as well as all the entranceways to your kitchen to ensure the appliance can be moved in your home. Allow a one-inch clearance on each side of the appliance so that doors open wide enough for bins, baskets, and sliding shelves to pull out. And if you're installing a new icemaker in your kitchen, you'll need a plumber to extend your water line to the refrigerator. Also, make sure you have a 120-volt dedicated outlet with three prongs to connect your appliance (homes built before the 1970s generally have two prongs). Each refrigerator is slightly different, so it's best to refer to your owner's manual when installing.

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Q: What are the most important factors when selecting a refrigerator?
A: Know where you want to place your refrigerator/freezer. If your measurements reveal that you'll have trouble opening the doors, you may need a side-by-side style. Its narrow doors can open in tight clearances.

What are your refrigerator capacity needs? Allow 12 cu. ft. of space for the first two members of your family and 4 cu. ft. for each additional member.

What are your freezer needs? If you often buy large cuts of meat and want a bottom-mount freezer, a pullout shelf basket is a good idea.

Who uses the refrigerator? If you have small children, consider easy-to-clean spill-proof glass shelves (note: not all glass shelves come with spill-proof seals). If you have tall family members, a side-by-side or bottom-mount refrigerator/freezer will make foods easy to reach.

Where do you live? People who reside in warm climates year-round and who frequently drink often prefer the convenience of through-the-door dispensers for water and ice. This feature is usually found in side-by-side units and almost always delivers crushed ice. Be forewarned: Water dispensers significantly worsen the reliability of refrigerator/freezers.

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Q: Do some refrigerators conserve more energy than others?
A: Yes. For the most energy efficiency, shop for a refrigerator/freezer that touts the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Energy Star label. This tells you it meets government standards for low energy consumption, and it can reduce your annual utility bill by as much as $14. Buying an Energy Star-labeled refrigerator/freezer may also make you eligible for a $50 to $300 rebate offer from your local utility company.

To assess energy use, read the "EnergyGuide" label (incorporated into this site's rating system). This lets you know the model's annual cost of operation at several utility rates. It also gives you an estimate of yearly energy costs compared to other models.

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Q: What are other features worth considering?
A: Your refrigerator/freezer should suit your food needs. Let's say you buy lots of produce. You may want a model that sports humidity control crispers, allowing you to chose between high humidity for veggies or low humidity for fruits. If you frequently drink soda or have lots of tall bottles, consider height-adjustable shelves or beverage holders in the door. If you have trouble seeing to the back of your fridge, a brightly lit interior with legible thermostat controls that are mounted at the front are worthwhile.

Here are other options:

Adjustable door bins -Most hold large, gallon-size jugs and tall containers-and some models include flexible dividers to prevent tall items from tipping as you swing open the door.

Deli or meat drawer -Designed for meats, cold cuts, and cheeses, this separate storage bin in the refrigerator is sometimes kept at a cooler temperature.

Electronic systems -Usually found on high-end models, this refrigerator console offers a set of buttons and lights to alert you of diagnostic problems.

Split shelves -Mid- to high-end top-mount models often include split glass shelves. This allows you to adjust the left- or right-hand side of individual shelves in the refrigerator for tall food items.

Trim kit -Want to match your refrigerator with existing kitchen cabinets or appliances? A trim kit lets you insert custom panels to the front of your refrigerator/freezer.

Water filters -Many new models with ice and water dispensers have water filters. Replacement filters cost about $35. How often you change it depends on your use.

Wine/beverage rack -This feature holds cans and bottles in the refrigerator on their side to conserve space.

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Q: What must shoppers know about delivery and installation of refrigerators?
A: Before selecting your refrigerator/freezer, consider the logistics. Do you need your old fridge hauled away-or do you plan to use it as a backup appliance in the garage or basement? If you're buying a through-the-door water/ice dispenser, do you need your water hooked up? If you're moving your refrigerator to another space in your kitchen, do you need an additional electrical outlet installed? When will someone be home to accept delivery of your refrigerator/freezer?

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Q: What kind of warranty do refrigerator manufacturers typically offer?
A: Most refrigerators come with a one-year parts and labor warranty. Some models may include a five-year warranty on the refrigerator's sealed system.

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