How to buy a refrigerator

REFRIGERATORS come in all shapes and sizes these days, from tiny boxes ideal for a small apartment to a double door affair you could live in. Here are some tips on how to choose something that fits your needs.

– Look at what space you have: A refrigerator ideally goes into the kitchen but if you have a tiny kitchen that has a utility room next door, consider if it’s practical to set your refrigerator in there. Either way, make your measurements so you know your size limits. Also: do check where the nearest socket is and if it needs to be moved or upgraded.

– Think about what you want to store: If you’re a serious cook, or if you have kids, bigger is probably better. Look in your current refrigerator and make a list of items you store now. Then think of all the extra things you’ve been unable to store. Put it all together, and you should know roughly how much space you want.

– Freezer space: If you had a big freezer, could you do things like cook double portions of curry and store them so you save on energy and cooking time? If that appeals, look for a model that has good freezer space.

– Look at design and maintenance: Little ridges, awkward corners and so on mean you’ll have unusable space which requires extra cleaning time. Go for a model that’s easy to maintain. Tip: while you’re at it, make sure that spare parts are easy to source.

– Energy stars matter: Efficient designs cut down on energy use, and this efficiency is rated according to a star system. As a rule of thumb, the more stars, the more energy efficient your refrigerator is. Basically, you save 10% to 30% per year of average use for every one star. Read the label and check the Tenaga site for more info http://tinyurl.com/ q74wt79