BUYING REFRIGERATORS
Consumers have many options available in
selecting refrigerators. They range in price from $80 to
over $3,000. Determine the price range you want to
stay within as well as the size and features you need
before you begin to comparison shop.
Size Of Refrigerator To Buy
How much space is available? How much clearance
space is available to open the refrigerator doors?
As you comparison shop,
look inside the
refrigerators. Is there enough space for large
containers and the amount of food you need to store?
If you buy a refrigerator that is larger than you
need, you will spend a great deal more money than is
necessary on your electric bill. Each additional cubic
foot of refrigerator space will increase the amount of
electricity consumed. On the other hand, it is more
energy efficient to have one large refrigerator rather
than two small ones.
Styles Available
Top-freezer: A separate freezer compart-ment is above
the refrigerator and at eye level making it easy to reach
frozen food. This style tends to be the lowest priced
of all refrigerators and the least expensive to operate.
It offers the largest variety of sizes, options, and
features. Wide shelves permit easy access to food at
the back of the refrigerator.
Bottom-freezer: This style is higher priced than top-
freezers of the same size. It costs more to operate
than top-freezers. One must bend over to get food
from the freezer. Wide shelves provide easy access to
food in the refrigerator. There are fewer sizes and
features available than in other styles.
Side-by-side: This style is higher priced and about
35% more expensive to operate than top-freezers.
Many sizes and features are available. The narrow
doors require a smaller amount of space to open than
other styles. It is convenient to have many foods at
eye level in both the refrigerator and freezer. It may be
difficult to reach food at the back.
Built-in: The kitchen will have a custom look with this
style. Larger sizes of up to 30 cubic feet are available.
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