Pointers to Know Before Buying a Refrigerator

• What size and which type of brand and model do you want?
• What does the star rating actually mean?
• Does the refrigerator keep your food at a fixed temperature?
• Why does the refrigerator have so many different compartments?
• What do I need to know about the new features available?

• Size/Capacity:It depends on the need, costing and space. A family of four can easily do with a 250–300 litres refrigerator.

Colour and Finish

• Top- or bottom-mounted freezer:If price, range, efficiency and value are your biggest concerns, then a top-mounted fridge is for you. The disadvantage is you have to bend down to access the food compartment, which is the most used. Bottom-mounted fridges are all about convenience—and save you from back pain. Plenty of space and extra features make side-by-side fridges great for large families.
• Star rating (energy consumption):Your fridge contributes to your energy bill, so choosing an efficient one will save you money. While larger fridges will use more energy overall than smaller ones, the energy star ratings help you compare relative energy efficiency. Choose the fridge with more stars when choosing between two similar-sized models because it will cost you less to run. In India, it is now mandatory to fix star rating label on refrigerators. Star rating denotes how energy-efficient your appliance is.
• Compressor: It is the basic mechanism (heart), besides the freezer and condenser, by which the refrigerator works. A normal compressor runs at a constant speed throughout. On the other hand, an inverter compressor can run at varying speeds. It starts at a low speed and boosts up when there is a loss in cooling. This is in contrast with normal compressors that take off at a high speed, consuming more electricity and producing a lot of noise.
• Cooling capabilities:It refers to the amount of time a refrigerator takes to decrease temperature to lower (minus) side. Faster cooling/freezing is desirable.
• Noise:Whether refrigerator noise is an issue or not depends on your kitchen layout and its proximity to living and sleeping areas. Refrigerators can make a variety of strange noises due to compressor start up, automatic defrosting, electrical fans, and even from materials expanding and contracting as they change temperature. This is normal, but may be more noticeable in models that are quieter during normal running. Refrigerators typically operate at around 35 decibels during normal running.
• Guarantee/warrantee:It is important to enquire about the guarantee/warrantee. Most refrigerators come with a one-year warrantee. The compressor warrantee may vary from 5 years to 10 years. The details are given in the warrantee card.

These Are Important Too

• Door: Make sure you can open the fridge doors easily and comfortably.
• Temperature controls: Look for two separate temperature controls. A single control sets both the freezer and the fresh food compartment, so you can’t adjust one without affecting the other. Some electronic fridges have better independent controls.
• Shelves: Shelves ought to be easy to remove and replace for cleaning or adjustment. Does the range of shelf positions suit your needs?
• Rollers and adjustable feet: Rollers are useful for easy moving (such as when cleaning behind the fridge).Four rollers are better than two, provided they have brakes or adjustable feet to secure the fridge and stop it from escaping.
• Dairy compartment: A slightly warmer area of the fridge, it is convenient for keeping butter and hard cheeses slightly soft.
• Chiller (meat compartment): This compartment stores meat, fish and poultry (fresh or cooked) at a safe temperature, keeping it fresher for longer. Chiller temperature should be close to zero and ideally it should have a separate temperature control.
• Child-proofing: Keep kids safe and choose a child-friendly fridge.
• Door alarms: This feature is very useful because if the door does not shut all the way, then the door will either beep or chime. This helps prevent food and energy waste.