Purchasing a refrigerator is a major, long term investment. So it is very important that you buy a fridge that suits the needs of your family for at least the next 5-7 years.
First of all, you need to determine what installation limitations there are for your next fridge, if there are any. Very carefully measure the width, depth and height of the area where you are putting the unit. Will there be enough room for you to open all of the doors of the potential refrigerators that you may purchase? Doing precise measurements is very important when you are replacing an old fridge. This is because you have to make 100% sure that the new one will correctly fit between your counters or under your existing cabinets.
You need to take the maximum measurements along with you on your appliance shopping trip. Make sure that you allow a couple inches of extra space for hinges and any leveling that may be required. Also take a close look at the possible entries to your kitchen to make sure you can squeeze your new refrigerator into the room. If you are buying a new unit that has an ice and water dispenser, you may need to double check that you have the appropriate electrical outlets and water lines.
Next, you need to study your maximum measurements and determine what sort of refrigerator your space will allow you to put in. Different types of units will require a different method of installation. If you buy a counter depth model, it will probably be wider than a freestanding fridge with the same square footage. This can provide your kitchen with a more customized and stylish appearance for less money than a built in product.
Some of the typical types that are available are:
· Full size and freestanding
· Counter depth (meaning it will be flush with your cabinets)
· Built into the wall
· Compact or underneath the counter
· Professional and built in
Of course, the style you choose is a matter of your personal preference. But you really need to stay focused on the limits of your space. For example, you can now buy an all refrigerator model with no freezer. This works well if you have a freezer close by. It may not be your best option if your freezer is in the basement. A top mount model has an upper freezer that may or may not have a separate door. A bottom freezer fridge will have a drawer on the bottom for frozen products. A side by side fridge will feature the freezer on the left and the fridge on the right. French door models are becoming trendy, and will have two refrigerated compartments on top, and your freezer down below.
Next, you need to determine the capacity of the device. If you buy one that is too big, it will be half empty, use more space and boost your electric bills. Typically, a full size fridge for a family should be 18-22 cubic feet. If you have a garden and store a lot of vegetables, you may need to have a larger appliance.
Also to consider is what color the unit should be. Typical finishes are white, black, stainless or other colors. What color will be a better fit in your kitchen? You may choose to buy one with the same color as your other appliances. If you have children, you may want to opt for a color that does not show fingerprints and smudges and is easy to clean up. Such a finish might be a pebbly black, as it does not show as much dirt and prints.
