Investing in a refrigerator is not a simple task – as you’ll have to live with it for several years. So, a little planning ahead ensures you don’t make any mistakes. Below is a comprehensive guide that provides insights on 4 main decision-making points.
5 factors you need to know to make a perfect buying decision
Factor 1. Types of Refrigerators
Refrigerators in India are available in four variants – single, double, triple and side-by-side door. Each type has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a rundown on fridge types you need to know to make the best choice.
• Direct Cool
• Economical
• Compact
• No Direct Access To Freezer
• Frost Free
• Direct Freezer Access
• Large freezer space
• No Odour mixing
• Frost Free
• Freezer On Top
• Separate veggies section
• Mega Capacity
• Multiple Sections
• Toughened Glass
• Water/Ice Dispensers
Factor 2. Primary Functions to Consider
In order to increase the compressor life and regulate the power consumption, manufacturers have introduced Inverter technology in refrigerators. This technology is known to save up to 20 to 30% of electricity consumption, even in stable temperatures. Below, we have provided a brief description between inverter and non-inverter.
When it comes to the freezer section, refrigerators are available in two options – direct cools and frost-free. Knowing the difference between them helps you understand which option suits best for your requirements. Below, we have provided a brief description for a quick reference. However, if you want a detailed description, we recommend checking out HERE.
Factor 3. Choosing the right Power Consumption
BEE is a government certified agency that provides energy efficiency ratings for refrigerators based on their average power consumption. The ratings are provided in the form of stars – higher the rating, the better will be the efficiency. For a clear idea, we have provided insights below on energy savings based on the rating.
Example: 240L Front Free Refrigerator which consumes 450 units annually, with zero star rating.
Factor 4. Top brands of Refrigerators in india
There are several popular refrigerator brands in India that claim to be the best in the market. However, you have to opt for a brand that has good customer service, after-sales support and good service centres.
Here’s a quick view of the best washing machine brands in India.
This South Korean brand has become popular in the refrigerator division because of its prominent features and solid design. If you love stylish refrigerators with high-tech features, then check out what LG models have to offer.
The refrigerators from whirlpool brand are known for their quality and reliability. Compared to other brands, their models last longer and don’t require many repairs in their lifetime. And moreover, they are competitively priced.
Samsung refrigerators are a combination of smart design and high-end performance. Good customer service is also their biggest strength. This brand offers its models at mid-range to premium prices that are worthy to consider.
It is one of the oldest yet trustworthy brands in India. Since their conception, they have been providing heavy-duty and reliable refrigerators. This brand is more popular in the single door refrigerator segment.
Factor 5. Must have Features to look for
While purchasing a refrigerator, analyzing the latest technological features plays an important role. Below are some of the common features you will most likely find in most refrigerators.
1. Adjustable Shelves
Having adjustable shelves lets you accommodate stuff according to the preference or requirements. These shelves are easy to slide and flip vertically from hinges for creating more customized space.
2. Freshness Feature
Excess or lack of moisture is one of the main reasons why fruits and vegetables get spoiled or wrinkled. To avoid such, some refrigerators have introduced a freshness feature in their vegetable box section. It lets you control the moisture levels and maintain right amounts of humidity to prolong the life of food ingredients.
3. Toughened glass shelves
Most of the modern refrigerator models are coming with tempered or toughened glass shelves because of their high-end look and durable quality. Compared to older options (plastic and wired), they have higher strength. As they are tempered, these glass shelves don’t break easily. They are free from heavy metals, making them a perfect choice to keep or store food on them.
4. Crisper
This feature helps to avoid placing fruits and vegetables in plastic storage bags. To maintain the produce crisp and fresh, the compartment should have proper sealing. And moreover, crispers should be easily removable for cleaning purposes. If you have to store a significant amount of food, then you will need more than one crisper. An ideal crisper will be at least 45cm wide to store large vegetables sufficiently.
Other Exciting Value added features
1. Conversion Feature
Now-a-days refrigerators are available with an innovative feature known as Conversion. This allows me to convert the freezer into a fridge as per the requirement. It helps you increase the storage capacity of the refrigerator. However, this feature is not suitable for the non-veg consuming population, as they may need freezer space to store meat.
2. Through-the-Door Ice and Water Dispenser
This feature has become more common in side-by-side and bottom freezer models. They are a beneficial feature, if your household needs more cool water and ice. Most of them come with an in-built purifier that removes impurities and heavy metals to provide clean water. However, having this feature can impact the price of a refrigerator.
3. Smart Digital Display with Wifi Control
This is relatively a new concept in smart refrigerator models. It is available in only certain models of high-end brands. If price is not a constraint for you, then investing in a Wi-Fi enabled is worthy. The features offered in this segment vary based on the brand. Some of them include finding out how much and which food items are present in the refrigerator without opening it and watching recipes on the LCD.
4. Stabilizer free operation
Voltage fluctuations can have a bad impact on the compressor. If you live in localities with a lot of power cuts or frequent voltage fluctuations, then invest in a refrigerator with an in-built stabilizer. Apart from protecting from voltage fluctuations, it also prolongs the lifespan of the refrigerator as well.
5. Reversible Door
Unlike regular doors, this option lets you swing the door in both directions. This feature is suitable for people who live in rented houses. So, they can customize their door opening based on the kitchen layout. You can change the direction of the swing just by changing the hinges over from left to right or right to left.
