Dynamic air cooling
In refrigerators with
dynamic air cooling, the air inside the working compartment moves not due to the temperature difference, but due to the operation of the built-in fan. This ensures uniform distribution of cold air and the same temperature throughout the volume.
Freezer temperature
The lowest temperature provided by a refrigerator freezer.
The lower the freezer temperature indicator, the more advanced the freezer is considered to be, and the better it is suited for long-term food storage with wider capabilities. It's important to note that the standard operating temperature for a fully functional freezer is -18 °C, which is suitable for both storing and freezing pre-frozen foods. Some refrigerators are designed with a temperature indicator of -24 °C, but this is mainly achieved through the quick freezing mode (see "Functions"), and the standard operating temperature is still -18 °C. However, if you plan to freeze food frequently and store it for extended periods, it's better to choose a model with a temperature of -24 °C and consider the freezing power as well.
Less expensive refrigerators have a less advanced freezer with a modest minimum temperature of -12°C or even -6°C, which is only suitable for storing pre-frozen foods, not for freezing fresh food. Although they are much more affordable.
To indicate the temperature of the freezer, markings in the form of asterisks (snowflakes) are often used, each of which means a decrease in temperature by 6 °C. For example, the mentioned -18 °C will correspond to 3 asterisks (***).
Controls
Refrigerator control panel. To date, there are such options:
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Rotary switches. While a rotary switch technically has the potential to be used for a wide range of functions, in practice, this variety is typically only found in basic models with limited functionality. In such cases, control is often done manually by turning a thermostat knob, with limited options for adjusting temperature, humidity, and other settings.
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Push-buttons. CRefrigerators can have a control panel with classic buttons that offer various functionalities depending on the model. These functionalities can range from basic adjustments (similar to rotary switches) to fine-tuning of temperature and humidity, control of special modes, and more. Compared to rotary switches, push-buttons generally offer a wider range of possibilities.
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Touch. Touch panels are a modern and stylish control option for refrigerators, which requires a light touch to operate. They are considered the most advanced type of control, providing convenient and extensive functionality. Touch panels are typically installed in premium models, where they add to the device's aesthetic appeal with a minimum of unnecessary protruding parts.
Energy class
The energy class that the refrigerator corresponds to.
Energy consumption classes were originally designated with Latin letters from
A (the most efficient) to D (least efficient), but with technological advancements, more advanced classes such as "A+", "A++", etc. were introduced to indicate increasing levels of efficiency. The more pluses a device has, the more economical it is. This was necessary due to the correlation between energy consumption and decreasing efficiency.
For modern built-in refrigerators, the efficiency indicator at the level of class A can be called average,
A+ — not bad,
A++ — good,
A+++ — excellent. Energy consumption rates B and C are rare and mostly found in outdated or cheaper models. Achieving high efficiency requires design innovations, which results in higher device prices. However, these prices can be justified by the resulting reduction in electricity bills. It's worth noting that some built-in refrigerator models are available in different energy consumption classes, allowing customers to choose the best option for their budget and energy efficiency needs.
Energy class (new)
The energy efficiency of a refrigerator is measured by a parameter classified from A to G, with A being the most efficient. Originally, only up to class A was available until newer, more efficient models were introduced and labeled as A+, A++, and A+++. However, in March 2021, manufacturers reverted to the original labeling system from G to A to avoid creating more pluses. This means that modern models will have the new labeling system, while older ones will maintain their original markings.
Energy consumption per year
The average amount of energy consumed by a refrigerator in a year of operation.
The given parameter is an estimated value and assumes that the refrigerator operates under stable conditions without sudden temperature changes, frequent door openings, and within its designated climate class (see below). Actual energy consumption may deviate slightly from the stated value. Despite this, it is a useful parameter that allows for a rough comparison of different models in terms of energy efficiency.
It should be noted that the energy consumption per year is often a more practical and convenient parameter than the energy consumption class (see above), which is a relative indicator of how efficient a refrigerator is compared to other models of similar size and features. The energy consumption per year, on the other hand, provides an estimate of the actual electricity cost when using a particular refrigerator. For instance, a small two-door refrigerator with an energy class of A can consume less energy per year than a large side-by-side refrigerator with a class of A+++, despite the fact that the latter is formally more energy-efficient than the former in terms of its energy class.
Noise class
Allows people to decode the values of the noise level in decibels. It is marked in Latin letters like other classes, where A is the quietest class of refrigerators.
Country of origin
The "country of manufacture" refers to the location where a refrigerator model is produced. While most manufacturing plants are situated
in China, but there are still some in Europe (
in Germany,
Hungary,
Italy,
Poland,
Romania,
Slovenia,
Turkey, etc.). The country of manufacture may not significantly affect the product's quality, although some people associate European assembly with dependability. Additionally, a model may have a country of manufacture listed, such as Poland, even though the same product is produced in China and sold under the same item number in stores.