Kitchen

Refrigeration

When buying a new fridge or freezer, the simplest way to see which model is the most energy efficient - and cheapest to run - is to look for the Energy Rating labels.

Remember that your fridge and freezer are among your home’s most essential appliances. You rely on them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year after year. Take the time to think about what you need, and consider budgeting a little more to get a model that will best suit you and your family now and for the next few years.

Refrigerator

There’s a varitey of fridges you can choose from to suit your lifestyle.

Frost free

  • Have an efficient, forced air system, which circulates cold air
  • Generally use less energy than cyclic defrost models of the same size
  • May have areas with separate temperature settings to best suit certain foods (meat, dairy or vegetables)
  • Not literally “frost free”, but no frost is visible and a timer makes sure ice is melted automatically and regularly – melted ice drains into a tray beneath the cabinet, where it evaporates from the heat of the compressor or condenser coils
  • The evaporator is in a special chamber, usually at the back of the freezer. It super-cools the air and circulates through ducts in the fridge and freezer using a fan. As the sub zero fan-forced air circulates, it picks up warmth and moisture and draws it through the freezing surface of the evaporator – the dry air is then circulated back into the fridge and freezer compartments.

Automatic/cyclic defrost

  • Generally use more energy than frost free models of the same size
  • The freezer section must be defrosted manually about 3-4 times a year
  • The refrigerator section defrosts automatically
  • A single thermostatic switch controls the whole system
  • The fridge section defrosts automatically as the temperature rises slightly during every ‘off cycle’ of the cooling unit
  • The system evaporates surplus defrost water, and returns some moisture to the air in the cabinet as it defrosts, so it’s also called a “moist cold” system.

Conventional

  • The simplest form of refrigeration for your home
  • Usually the cheapest to operate
  • Has a single door for both fridge and “freezer” sections
  • The “freezer” is the evaporator that cools the entire fridge. It’s not a true freezer because the temperature can’t be maintained at a low or constant enough level. With a temperature range of between -6°C and 12°C it’s only suitable for short-term storage of frozen foods.

Apart from the conventional fridge, models come in different configurations:

  • Combination – fridge and freezer in the same unit, but both self-contained, and you can choose which in on the top and bottom
  • Side-by-side – Always frost free, these models have a vertical freezer on one side and fridge for fresh food on the other, each with its own door, they give plenty of space and great visibility, and both fridge and freezer are easy to open and use
  • All refrigerator – has no freezer section, usually automatically defrosts itself and is useful when you have a separate food freezer in your home and require large fresh food storage capacity.

What to consider when buying a fridge

  • Look for the Energy Rating label as you can compare which products are more energy efficient to run
  • Well designed frost free refrigerators can use less energy than cyclic defrost models of the same size, and are also easier to maintain
  • Choose a combination fridge/freezer if you shop at least once a week and don’t have a separate freezer
  • In a combination unit you can choose to have the freezer above or below the fridge section
  • The total storage area is less important than how usable the space is, and how it meets your needs
  • Extra purchase cost often means greater convenience and more useful features
  • Warranty conditions and any special incentives included in the price
  • The availability of service and length of time parts will be made available.

When you think about energy use for fridges, remember:

  • Energy Rating labels are given in seven different categories, depending on the fridge’s configuration
  • Average energy costs vary about 20% between similar models when tested
  • The most popular fridge/freezer combination models rate between 3.5 and 4.5 stars
  • The best performers generally use the same energy and running costs but have 20-38% more capacity than poorer performers.

Think about the features you need:

  • Meat keeper – longer storage (up to seven days) for fresh meat
  • Butter conditioner – keeps butter at spreadable temperature
  • Vegetable crisper – keeps vegetables and fruit ‘garden fresh’
  • Egg storage basket – for convenience
  • Adjustable shelves – in the cabinet and on the door, offering flexibility
  • Shelving – plastic coated wire or crystal glass
  • Bottle storage –for larger size bottles and tall wine bottles
  • Automatic ice maker – makes, stores and replenishes ice cubes, giving a continuous supply for instant use (require plumbing, and you might need to install a separate tap and external water filter)
  • Castors – make refrigerators mobile for easy cleaning
  • Doors – you can choose left or right hand opening, and some models offer decorative panels.
 

Freezer

There are 2 main freezer types you can choose.

Chest freezers

  • Open from the top
  • Range in size from 145–700 litres
  • Feature moveable dividers or baskets
  • Are convenient for storing large, irregularly shaped items
  • Are mostly manual defrost.

Upright freezers

  • Open from the front
  • Range between 88–390 litres in size
  • Feature convenient bookshelf-like storage
  • May have additional storage on the inside door
  • Can be purchased to match your refrigerator
  • Are available in either frost free or manual defrost system.

Features can include:

  • A warning light if the freezer is ‘off’ or temperature too high
  • C ontrols that are easy to reach and use
  • On chest freezers, a counter balanced lid that remains open until closed manually
  • Adequate drainage for easy removal of defrost water
  • An automatic ice or chilled water dispenser (you’ll need a handy cold water tap connection, or it will need plumbing).

What to consider when buying a freezer

  • Look for the Energy Rating label to compare which products are more energy efficient to run
  • Size - you can generally store 11–13 kg of frozen food per 28 litres of freezer space, depending on shape and contents
  • The type of freezer and its features (see more information below)
  • Warranty conditions and any special incentives included in the price
  • The availability of service and length of time parts will be made available.
 

The best freezer performers generally use the same energy and running costs but have 20-38% more capacity than poorer performers.

For expert advice on buying energy efficient cookers and cooktops, call us on 13 14 27 (Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales).