The Basics: Refrigerators

Most homes today have some sort of refrigerator to keep foods chilled and frozen. Over the years, refrigerators have evolved from a basic chilled box with some simple shelves to today's much more sophisticated and feature-rich models. While it is still possible to purchase an economical refrigerator with limited interior features, most manufacturers are creating ever-more upscale fridges with as many bells and whistles as they can include -- ranging from upgraded exterior finishes to flexible shelving and new twists on interior storage features.

The most recent trends in refrigerator design reflect consumers' preferences and demands. Today's consumers want more convenience and performance features in their refrigerators. They want attractive looking refrigerators, flexible food storage options and a choice of refrigerator configuration (side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer or counter depth). Due to rising energy costs, consumers are also looking to purchase energy-efficient refrigerators that will help them reduce their monthly electricity bill.

The most sophisticated models of each refrigerator configuration have been outfitted with some new features this year. For instance, some top-of-the-line top-freezer refrigerators offer either an internal or a through-the-door water delivery system. Some upscale side-by-side models, where the refrigerator and freezer are in side-by-side compartments, are offered with very sophisticated through-the-door ice and water delivery systems complete with computer screens for easy programming, or they might be offered with a removable/portable ice bucket. Some bottom-freezer refrigerators are offered with through-the-door water delivery as well.

A growing trend in bottom-freezer refrigerators is the French door design: The fresh foods compartment is accessible with two side-by-side doors, so you don't necessarily have to open the entire fresh foods area when you store or retrieve food. Some French door bottom-freezer refrigerators are now equipped with a "smart seal," a vertical panel that allows the doors to seal tightly, eliminating the problem of the two door seals rubbing together. As manufacturers strive to create the most energy-efficient and feature-rich refrigerators possible, refrigerators will have more new developments in design in the future.

Refrigerator Configurations
Side-by-side refrigerators, with their large freezer capacity and convenient configuration, are the most popular refrigerator models. They are also the least energy efficient models. Most manufacturers offer a through-the-door ice maker/water dispenser as an option on all side-by-sides and while this is a popular feature, it is also the most frequent cause of repair for these models.

Top-freezer refrigerators are the next most popular models. These tend to offer smaller freezer compartments than side-by-sides, and the freezer is at eye level, placing the refrigerator at a lower and less convenient place. Top-freezer models are less expensive than comparable side-by-side refrigerators. One benefit of the top-freezer models is that they can hold very large horizontal items like pizza boxes and birthday cakes while the fridge compartment in a side-by-side unit might be too narrow.

Bottom-freezer refrigerators are catching on in popularity, although manufacturers generally offer only one or two models of the freezer-on-the-bottom units. These refrigerator freezers are the most energy-efficient, and place frequently used refrigerator space directly at eye level. In general, most freezer doors swing open like the refrigerator doors, instead of sliding out like a big drawer as they once did. And as an added bonus, the freezer compartments on these models are larger than for top-freezer models. Manufacturers add lift-out baskets and sliding shelves to make it easier for homeowners to reach their frozen foods in these models.

Built-in refrigerators are still specialty-type refrigerators. Many manufacturers offer built-ins as shallower versions of their other models to fit in flush with cabinetry, but they tend to be wider than other refrigerators to make up for the space they lose in depth. Homeowners can customize their built-in refrigerator to coordinate with their cabinets by adding custom-made panels that can be added to the refrigerator's facade. Most built-in models tend to have unfinished sides and tops, since they generally are not exposed to the kitchen.

Compact refrigerators are small models that are made to fit into a dorm room, bar area, or undersink location. Generally, compact units can hold a few day's worth of groceries. Once, these units were limited to small cube configurations, but today's compacts are very diverse in styling. These days, a compact refrigerator might include stainless steel exterior, sophisticated styling, and interior storage options. Compact refrigerators that fit under a kitchen counter might also suit the needs of those with disabilities.

How to Shop

Before you buy your new refrigerator, there are few questions you need to consider. How large is the space or opening in my kitchen where I can fit a refrigerator? What refrigerator configuration would I prefer? How large a refrigerator capacity do I need? What features are must-haves, and which features are less important? What kind of budget do I have for a new refrigerator?

Size and Style
Before doing any serious refrigerator shopping, measure the space you have for this large appliance. The area you have available for the fridge will dictate the interior capacity that you can have. Then, choose the configuration -- side-by-side, top-freezer, bottom-freezer, built-in -- and don't forget to make sure that your fridge's open doors will not bump up against a cabinet or door. If you choose a bottom-freezer model, decide on the freezer type you'd like: with a door that pulls open like a door, or one that slides out like a drawer. Finally, decide on the exterior color that will complement your kitchen. It's often wise to choose an appliance with a neutral color that isn't likely to go out of style. While stainless steel is very popular and durable, it requires extra maintenance and upkeep to make sure it stays looking its best.

Most manufacturers offer refrigerators in a choice of exterior finish, including white, bisque, black or stainless steel. Some refrigerator makers are offering other finishes such as titanium or even a stainless-steel look finish. Counter-depth or built-in models, which have narrow depths and are designed to fit in flush with cabinetry, often can be fitted with decorator panels so they have the same or similar finish as your cabinetry.

Features
In general, the most upscale -- and highest priced -- refrigerators tend to have the most features. You will have to decide which features are important to you and your family's lifestyle, and you will also have to decide if having those features in your new refrigerator will be worth spending the additional money. Some features include automatic ice maker, through-the-door ice and/or water delivery, tempered glass shelves with a spill saver feature to contain spills and gallon-sized door bins.

As soon as you've decided what configuration you'd like to own -- side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer or counter depth -- you can pick from the available features. Some features are offered only on certain configurations, simply because of the design constraints of each refrigerator type. For instance, a popular feature on bottom-freezer fridges is a full-width snack drawer.

Features you might want to consider are can dispensers, wine or bottle racks, egg containers, automatic ice makers, adjustable shelving, special-use bins and freezers with quick-ice making capability. With the exception of the most economical models, the majority of all currently offered refrigerators come with removable freezer baskets, humidity-controlled crispers, shelves that can be adjusted for height and spill-proof shelving.

Energy Efficiency
Energy costs continue to rise across the country, so you might want to consider an energy-efficient refrigerator model, one that doesn't require you to shell out a lot of money each year to operate. Look for the "Energy Star" label on the refrigerator you buy. Products that are certified under Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, have been certified to be energy efficient. Spending a bit more money on an energy efficient model will be beneficial to you in the long run.

In general, the larger the fridge, the more it will cost to operate. And generally, some types of fridge configurations will be more efficient in others. Bottom-freezer refrigerators are most efficient, followed by top-freezer refrigerators. Side-by-side fridges are the least energy efficient, although they are the most popular type of refrigerator today.

Warranties
Most refrigerators come with a basic warranty covering one year of parts and labor and five years for the sealed refrigerator system. You can purchase an extended warranty plan for most refrigerators and freezers that will cover them for a longer period of time. These warranties are usually available at the time of purchase.

There are a wide variety of stores and other outlets from which you can purchase your refrigerator. Each has its own particular benefits and drawbacks, so you need to select a store/outlet with which you are most comfortable. While independent local appliance shops will likely provide personalized service and be around to answer questions before and after your purchase, their prices may not be as competitive as a large chain store. Large home centers may carry many models of refrigerator models at a good price, but their sales personnel may not be as knowledgeable about the products as would appliance store sales staff. Warehouse stores might offer great deals on appliances, but may only offer just a few models at any one time. Large chain department stores can offer and display a wide selection of refrigerators at one time to allow comparison shopping -- plus they might sell their own brand, like Sears does with its Kenmore models. Customers can also shop for and buy refrigerators on the Internet, but while this is a very convenient option, we'd advise shoppers to go to a store and get a hands-on feel for the appliance before buying.