Overview
A refrigerator is a necessity in every household. Over time, the standard refrigerators have gone through drastic innovations making it difficult to choose one that best suits your requirements.
To help you select the perfect one from the large array, we have bought you some guidelines that will help you understand the different types of refrigerators available in the market and pick one that is perfect for your kitchen.
Types of Refrigerators
- Single Door Refrigerators
Single-door refrigerators are the traditional models that have only one door. They occupy small spaces and are relatively cheap. It is suitable for singles or small families as its capacity ranges from 50L to 200L, ample for a small crowd. It has a vegetable and freezer box inside the refrigerator; it is a compact and affordable design.
- Top-Freezer Refrigerators
It has a separate freezer section at the top and refrigeration at the bottom, having more capacity compared to single-door refrigerators. These unfrilly fridges have ample storage. As it has two doors for both sections, it means that the cold temperature is maintained in particular sections irrespective of how many times you open and close the doors. This helps in the conservation of energy and also, it uses about 20-25% less power compared to other types of refrigerators. They are easy on pockets and suitable for a larger family of 5-6 members.
- Bottom Freezer Refrigerators
This is one of the recent designs that hit the market. It is convenient because the refrigerator part is at eye level and the less frequently used freezer is at the bottom. For users, it means they don’t have to bend down to get fruits, vegetables, and other fresh items. It is energy efficient as the cooler component is at the bottom and the hotter one on the top.
A French door model has two doors side-by-side on the top and a freezer door on the bottom as a drawer. Their design makes them look appealing, unique, and style statement for a kitchen.
- Side by Side Door Refrigerators
This is an ideal household design which sufficient for 8-9 with a lot more freezer space. They are available in larger capacities up to 800L. These resemble a cupboard with two doors side by side. The opening one door at a time prevents heat loss and saves energy. The bigger size offers more storage space in the freezer and fridge; other features like water-dispensing outlet doesn’t require you to open the door just to grab some cold water.
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Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase
When you are spending thousands of rupees on a new you should opt for a reliable product with necessary features. A perfect way to find one is to look for star rating for energy efficiency (EER). It has been standardized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Basically, more the stars, more efficiency of your refrigerator. These labels on the product help you save money every day, every month and many years to come.
The requirement for storage and capacity depends on the number of family members.
| Capacity (liters) | House Hold Size |
| 50-100 | 1 |
| 100-200 | 2 |
| 200-290 | 3 |
| 290-320 | 4 |
| 320-350 | 5 |
| 350-400 | 6 |
| 400-450 | 7 |
| 450-500 | 8 |
| 500-550 | 9 |
| 550-600 | 10 |
Most refrigerators come in a range of sizes and capacities. Always measure the area where you want to put the refrigerator. Measure the area and make sure it is spacious enough for the air ducts and allows you to open the doors swiftly.
Direct Cool – This type of cooling is common in single-door varieties where defrosting of the freezer is done manually or semi-automatically periodically. This has to be done because the cooling takes place without any circulation of air or fanning. They are energy-efficient models.
Frost-Free – This refrigeration maintains consistent temperatures in all the compartments by the circulation of cooling air. It prevents ice build-up and hence no periodic defrosting is required. This technology helps in keeping food fresh for a longer duration. However, these models take up more energy compared to direct cooling ones.
