Key Factors for Choosing the Best Refrigerator

A refrigerator holds significant importance within every household. Hence, selecting the right one is no simple task. Ensuring you invest in a refrigerator that perfectly aligns with your budget is what everyone desires. Here, we share some insights into selecting the finest refrigerator for your family.

1. Key Factors for Choosing the Best Refrigerator

A refrigerator holds significant importance within every household. Hence, selecting the right one is no simple task. Ensuring you invest in a refrigerator that perfectly aligns with your budget is what everyone desires. Here, we share some insights into selecting the finest refrigerator for your family.

Electricity Consumption Level

Firstly, we need to consider the electricity consumption level of the refrigerator as it is a significant power consumer in the household. Therefore, energy consumption is an essential consideration when purchasing and using a refrigerator. Attention should be paid to the following points:

Direct cooling (with frost) consumes significantly less electricity compared to indirect cooling (without frost).

Refrigerators with mechanical controls are the most energy-efficient type.

For the same type and specifications, refrigerators with smaller compressor capacity consume less electricity.

The tighter the refrigerator door, the less energy it consumes.

Currently, there are two types of refrigerators on the market: Electric mechanical compression refrigerators and absorption refrigerators. Typically, electric mechanical compression refrigerators are preferred due to their low power consumption, high cooling temperature, good cooling performance, and long lifespan. Absorption refrigerators can use heat rods or heat cards fueled by coal and natural gas to cool. These refrigerators are used in areas with no electricity or insufficient electricity, where coal and gas are abundant and cheap.

Refrigerator capacity should be suitable for usage needs

Based on current living standards, typically each person needs about 20 to 25 liters of capacity, plus an additional 25 liters. For example, a family of 4 should buy a refrigerator with a capacity of 4 x 25 + 25 = 125 liters, meaning a refrigerator with a capacity of about 125 to 150 liters is suitable. Additionally, climate considerations should be taken into account; in the South, a slightly larger refrigerator is preferable, while in the cold North, a smaller refrigerator is recommended.

The defrosting system of refrigerators

In refrigerators, there is often water vapor in the air and emitted from food inside the refrigerator. This vapor meets cold and condenses into a layer of frost in the refrigerator, which is a normal phenomenon. The colder the refrigerator, the higher the humidity, and the thicker the frost layer.

A thick frost layer leads to poor heat conduction, causing the refrigeration system to be unable to absorb heat from food and air inside the refrigerator, resulting in decreased refrigeration efficiency and increased electricity consumption. Therefore, defrosting is necessary when the frost layer is 4 – 6 mm thick. The following methods can be used for defrosting:

• Manual defrosting
• Semi-automatic defrosting
• Automatic defrosting

The sealing level in the refrigerator

Pay attention to the depth of the refrigerator.

When the refrigerator is level with the surrounding furniture like the table or kitchen cabinet, it provides a more cohesive look to the kitchen space.

Select the cooling level.

Refrigerators are categorized into high or low ranks, usually based on the freezing standard achieved by the freezing capacity, assessed and labeled by stars. The more stars, the colder the temperature.

The standard set by the Light Industry of China states: If one star () indicates a temperature not higher than -60 degrees Celsius, frozen food can be preserved for about one week. If two stars () indicate a temperature not higher than -150 degrees Celsius, frozen food can be preserved for one month. If three stars () indicate freezing at a temperature not higher than -180 degrees Celsius, the food preservation time is three months.

Typically, household refrigerators use models with 2 to 3 stars, which is adequate. In reality, it's not that the colder the fridge, the better the food preservation; it's about maintaining the appropriate coldness. Moreover, the more stars, the higher the refrigerator's price and electricity consumption.

Choose a refrigerator with the Energy Star label.

Refrigerators with this label typically use 20% less energy than models of the same size. If saving energy matters to you, consider turning off the automatic ice maker as it also significantly reduces your electricity consumption.