Choosing a new refrigerator can be overwhelming. You could be remodeling your home, or maybe you just feel the need to get a newer model. Either way, you need one with a good design that will still serve your needs, without requiring maintenance every few months. Here are a few factors you need to consider before making a purchase.
Cost
Before looking at any other factors, you need to come up with a budget. How much are you willing to spend on a refrigerator without breaking your bank? As you start shopping around, always keep in mind that you have a budget to stick to, and let each salesperson know about your preferred price range.
Size
This depends on your family size and the number of items you store in your refrigerator based on your cooking and shopping habits. If you are all alone and barely cook or store anything, opt for smaller sizes. However, if you have a big family or most of your items are refrigerated, we recommend choosing larger sizes. You should also consider whether your family is bound to grow soon before settling on a size.
Moreover, you also need to measure the space you have in your kitchen and focus on buying a fridge that can fit the dimension. This should also take into account the ventilation space, door opening space, and the cleaning space.
Style and Design
Once you have settled on the right size, you can now look at the different designs offered in the market. French door refrigerators are more elegant and offer an ample freezer compartment at the bottom. If you have limited space in the kitchen, opt for a side by side refrigerator. It’s designed with adjustable shelves for maximum flexibility.
There are more designs from which you can pick your preferred one based on elegance, space, and compartment size. If you’re keen on décor, go for a color that best complements the decor in your kitchen.
Energy Efficiency
This has quickly become a great selling point, especially since we all should contribute to conservation efforts. Look at the energy guide label on a refrigerator to gauge its effectiveness. Appliances with an EPA Energy Star rating are a great starting point. This shows that they make the top 25% of the market. However, keep in mind that efficiency is different with each model and therefore you should be keen when testing and reading the labels.
Additional Features
If it’s within your budget, go for a refrigerator which is designed with extra features such as a water dispenser, door-in-door storage access, temperature controls and freshness features. These are key to ensuring maximum efficiency. With most models, these additional features come at an extra cost. If you can afford to spend a few more bucks, do it and you will not be disappointed.