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5 things you need to know before buying a refrigerator
By Richard Baguley, Reviewed.com
Buying a large appliance is a big decision, but asking a few questions can help you make the right choice. Here are five questions you need answered before you buy a refrigerator. (The top three double-door models also are shown, reviewed by RefrigeratorInfo.com.)
...
1. How much will it cost to run?
About 8% of the average electricity bill goes toward running the refrigerator. So it is important to know how much a new refrigerator will cost to run and how much you might save.
All refrigerators sold in the USA require an EnergyGuide label that details how much power they use (in kilowatt hours or kWh) and how much this should cost. So be sure to compare the power numbers before you buy, and get the model that fits your needs but uses the lowest amount of electricity.
The running cost that the labels list is based on a fixed price of 10.65 cents per kWh.
You should recalculate the cost if your electricity costs more or less. This price per kWh is listed on your electricity bill.
Although it will cost more upfront, it may pay for itself within a few years by reducing your electricity bill.
The EPA offers an online calculator that can help estimate how much you might save by buying a new refrigerator, and some states offer rebates for upgrading to more efficient appliances.
Both tools can be found at energystar.gov.
2. How much does it hold?
The total capacity is listed in cubic feet, but this number ignores shelves, drawers and other things that take up space. That's like measuring the square footage of a house by knocking down all of the walls: How you use the space isn't taken into account.
It is also worth considering how well your groceries will fit into the available capacity. Side-by-side refrigerators (such as the top-rated Samsung RG257AARS) come with big fridge spaces but only tall and narrow freezer shelves, meaning you may not be able to fit larger items, such as large frozen pizzas, in the space.
Gallons of milk may also be a problem: Some refrigerators may have door bins that are too narrow for them, forcing you to put them on a shelf or buy smaller containers.
One trick is to keep the boxes and recycling for a week's groceries, then take a few of the bulkier packages to the store to see how they fit.
3. Will it fit in your kitchen?
This sounds obvious, but measure the available space before you shop and make sure to allow at least a quarter-inch gap for air to circulate behind the refrigerator and on all sides. A counter-deep refrigerator is shallower (usually about 29 inches deep), so it will fit flush with your cabinets. If you have unusual cabinets, make sure to measure the depth and consider if the refrigerator will look right alongside them.
4. Can it manage the temperature?
A refrigerator needs to keep your food at the right temperature (about 34 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and about 4 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer), but some have difficulty.
The better models allow you to set the temperature directly, but less-expensive ones offer only a range of 1 to 10 and no indication of which setting will provide the target temperature. If you get one of the latter, invest in an inexpensive thermometer, then check and adjust as needed.
Many models also offer energy-saver modes that cut down on the amount of power they use, but these come at the cost of more variation in the temperature, which can lead to food spoiling more quickly. That might be an acceptable compromise if it saves money, though.
5. How easy is it to use?
Refrigerators can pack a lot of food into a small space, but you need to make sure that all members of the family can get what they want. At the store, test how much strength it takes to open the doors to make sure elderly relatives, for example, would be able to handle them. Is there a convenient space that kids can reach to hold snacks? Try the drawers when they are full and empty: The drawers on some less-expensive models can stick when fully loaded.
You should also check out the water dispenser and icemaker to be sure they are easy to use, especially for kids.
Find out more information about refrigerators from Reviewed.com at RefrigeratorInfo.com. Reviewed.com is a division of USA TODAY.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/general/2011-05-05-reviewed-dot-com-refrigerators_n.htm
By Richard Baguley, Reviewed.com
Buying a large appliance is a big decision, but asking a few questions can help you make the right choice. Here are five questions you need answered before you buy a refrigerator. (The top three double-door models also are shown, reviewed by RefrigeratorInfo.com.)
...
1. How much will it cost to run?
About 8% of the average electricity bill goes toward running the refrigerator. So it is important to know how much a new refrigerator will cost to run and how much you might save.
All refrigerators sold in the USA require an EnergyGuide label that details how much power they use (in kilowatt hours or kWh) and how much this should cost. So be sure to compare the power numbers before you buy, and get the model that fits your needs but uses the lowest amount of electricity.
The running cost that the labels list is based on a fixed price of 10.65 cents per kWh.
You should recalculate the cost if your electricity costs more or less. This price per kWh is listed on your electricity bill.
Although it will cost more upfront, it may pay for itself within a few years by reducing your electricity bill.
The EPA offers an online calculator that can help estimate how much you might save by buying a new refrigerator, and some states offer rebates for upgrading to more efficient appliances.
Both tools can be found at energystar.gov.
2. How much does it hold?
The total capacity is listed in cubic feet, but this number ignores shelves, drawers and other things that take up space. That's like measuring the square footage of a house by knocking down all of the walls: How you use the space isn't taken into account.
It is also worth considering how well your groceries will fit into the available capacity. Side-by-side refrigerators (such as the top-rated Samsung RG257AARS) come with big fridge spaces but only tall and narrow freezer shelves, meaning you may not be able to fit larger items, such as large frozen pizzas, in the space.
Gallons of milk may also be a problem: Some refrigerators may have door bins that are too narrow for them, forcing you to put them on a shelf or buy smaller containers.
One trick is to keep the boxes and recycling for a week's groceries, then take a few of the bulkier packages to the store to see how they fit.
3. Will it fit in your kitchen?
This sounds obvious, but measure the available space before you shop and make sure to allow at least a quarter-inch gap for air to circulate behind the refrigerator and on all sides. A counter-deep refrigerator is shallower (usually about 29 inches deep), so it will fit flush with your cabinets. If you have unusual cabinets, make sure to measure the depth and consider if the refrigerator will look right alongside them.
4. Can it manage the temperature?
A refrigerator needs to keep your food at the right temperature (about 34 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and about 4 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer), but some have difficulty.
The better models allow you to set the temperature directly, but less-expensive ones offer only a range of 1 to 10 and no indication of which setting will provide the target temperature. If you get one of the latter, invest in an inexpensive thermometer, then check and adjust as needed.
Many models also offer energy-saver modes that cut down on the amount of power they use, but these come at the cost of more variation in the temperature, which can lead to food spoiling more quickly. That might be an acceptable compromise if it saves money, though.
5. How easy is it to use?
Refrigerators can pack a lot of food into a small space, but you need to make sure that all members of the family can get what they want. At the store, test how much strength it takes to open the doors to make sure elderly relatives, for example, would be able to handle them. Is there a convenient space that kids can reach to hold snacks? Try the drawers when they are full and empty: The drawers on some less-expensive models can stick when fully loaded.
You should also check out the water dispenser and icemaker to be sure they are easy to use, especially for kids.
Find out more information about refrigerators from Reviewed.com at RefrigeratorInfo.com. Reviewed.com is a division of USA TODAY.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/general/2011-05-05-reviewed-dot-com-refrigerators_n.htm