Total capacity
The total volume of a refrigerator is the sum of the volumes of all its compartments, which can vary in specific capacity between different models. It's important to consider this when choosing a refrigerator.
A larger volume for a refrigerator can be beneficial for accommodating more food, but it can also increase the price and size of the appliance. This is especially important to consider if you plan to build the refrigerator into a specific space.
Refrigerator capacity
The refrigerating compartment is designed for storage of products that do not require freezing, i.e. cooling down to temperatures below zero. The temperature range inside varies from +2 to +10. In almost all modern refrigerators, it is this compartment that has the largest volume.
To ensure optimal performance and food quality, it's important to choose the appropriate volume for the refrigerating compartment based on your actual food storage needs and how often you replenish your supplies. Overfilling the compartment can have a negative impact on both the refrigerator's performance and the quality of the stored food.
For singles or couples, a refrigerating compartment of up to 200 liters is enough, while families or those who stock up on food should opt for models with up to 400 liters. Vertical refrigerators with separate freezer access are suitable for those who need moderate storage space, while side-by-side refrigerators with their typically larger volumes are a good option for those who require even more space and have ample free space.
LED lighting
The presence of a
LED lighting system in the design of the refrigerator.
LEDs are currently the most advanced type of household lighting due to their high efficiency, providing bright light with low power consumption. They emit minimal heat, making them ideal for refrigerator lighting. Their compact size also allows for even distribution throughout the interior, illuminating all shelves, which is not the case with incandescent lamps that can only shine in one location, leaving some areas poorly lit.
Freezer capacity
The primary function of the freezer is to store food in a state of deep freeze, which helps preserve perishable products such as meat, vegetables, fruits, etc. for extended periods of time. The necessary volume of the freezer depends on the planned amount of food to be stored and the length of time it will be stored. A larger freezer is particularly useful if you plan to store food for several months.
A compact freezer is relevant for short-term storage (for a day or two) or for seasonal devices (for example, in the village). It is best to ensure that the freezer is not overloaded and has enough space for proper circulation of air to maintain the desired temperature.
Autonomy time
Refrigerators with good thermal insulation can maintain low temperatures inside for a significant amount of time even if there is a power outage. This period of time is known as the "keep cold time," during which the refrigerator can preserve perishable food items. A longer keep cold time indicates better thermal insulation, making the refrigerator more suitable for areas where power outages are common.
Freeze capacity
The freezing capacity of a refrigerator refers to the amount of fresh food it can freeze from room temperature to the freezer temperature within a 24-hour period. For everyday use, a freezing capacity of up to 10 kg/day is sufficient, but if you frequently freeze large volumes of food, you should consider a more
powerful freezer.
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.
Climate class
This parameter describes the climate conditions for which a particular refrigerator model is designed. A more powerful cooling system and better thermal insulation are required for the refrigerator to operate efficiently in hot conditions compared to low air temperatures. If the refrigerator is not designed for the specific climate conditions it operates in, it may not function efficiently or may even fail.
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SN (subnormal).Refrigerators of this class are intended for use in temperate climates with relatively low temperatures. They are designed to operate within a temperature range of +10°C to +32°C, which is slightly lower than class N. These refrigerators can be particularly useful in poorly insulated rooms where the temperature can drop below +16°C during the colder seasons.
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N (normal). Models designed for moderate climate, with ambient temperature from +16 °C to +32 °C.
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ST (subtropical). Although named after subtropical climates, these models are suitable for both subtropical and tropical climates with high humidity. They can operate within a temperature range of +18°C ... +38°C.
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T (tropical). Units designed primarily for dry tropical climates. They operate at ambient temperatures from +18 °C to +43 °C.
to the development of refrigerators with combined climate classes and enhanc
...ed features. These models are characterized by both upper and lower classes, such as N-ST, indicating a wider operating range from the lower limit of the lower class to the upper limit of the upper one. For instance, N-ST corresponds to a temperature range of +16...+38 °C. Some models even combine all four classes, such as SN-T, which has an extended range of +10...+43 °C.
With climate change affecting many regions, the introduction of combined climate classes has become increasingly important. In some areas classified as temperate, summers have become hotter while winters remain cold, and a single climate class such as N may not provide adequate coverage for the required temperature range.Noise level
This parameter indicates the level of noise that the refrigerator produces while operating. A noise level of 40 decibels is similar to the average volume of human speech, 50 decibels is similar to the background noise in an office, and 80 decibels is similar to traffic noise. The lower the noise level of the refrigerator, the more comfortable it will be to use.