Functions
Common features that apply directly to the entire appliance include
holiday mode,
control via smartphone,
child lock,
display,
door alarm,
auto door closer, and
reversible door. More about them:
— Holiday mode is an energy-saving feature intended for times when the refrigerator is not in use for an extended period, such as when there is no food inside. During this mode, the temperature inside the fridge compartment is kept around 12 degrees, which helps prevent the development of mold and unpleasant odors.
— Control via smartphone. This feature allows users to access and manage the unit from anywhere with an internet connection. This is achieved through Wi-Fi connectivity to a router or smart home system. The control can be done through a smartphone application or a web page available on any browser. This function provides users with information about the refrigerator's operating mode, including temperature, humidity, malfunctions, and emergency situations. The control via the internet is convenient and provides flexibility in controlling the refrigerator.
— Child lock. Many modern refrigerators come with safety features designed to prevent small children from tampering with the settings. These features usually involv
...e locking the control panel to prevent accidental adjustments. However, child locks for the doors are not typically included as a standard feature and must be purchased separately.
— Display. Displays can be found on refrigerators of various levels, from basic to advanced models. Regardless of the level, the display adds convenience to the operation of the unit by providing detailed information about its operation and displaying useful data, such as the time. In some cases, the display can also integrate with other smart home components. However, the cost of refrigerators with such features is typically higher.
— Door alarm. The refrigerator door alarm system alerts the user if the door has been left open for an extended period of time or not closed properly. This prevents spoilage of food due to a critical increase in temperature. The alarm usually gives a sound signal after a certain amount of time and some models also have a light indicator to confirm the correct closure of the door.
— Auto door closer. Auto-closing devices are installed on some refrigerators and are responsible for assisting in the closing and, in some cases, opening of the door. This helps to reduce the risk of leaving the door partially open or closed, while also ensuring a smooth, shock-free movement that can prolong the life of the refrigerator.
— Reversible door. Refrigerators with a classic design offer the ability to choose the location of the hinges, allowing users to decide on which side the door will open for optimal access. note that this function is only available for classic design models, including refrigerated display cases (see “Type”). This feature is not available in Side-by-Side and French Door models due to their design.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 (***).
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.
