Foldable shelf
The ability to
fold the shelves will come in handy for placing large-sized utensils, tall or bulky foods in the refrigerator. It can be implemented in completely different ways: by folding the halves of the shelf up or down, using a sliding shelf structure, etc. Some shelves can be folded in several stages: first in half, then they lean against the back wall of the refrigeration chamber.
Freeze capacity
Approximate amount of fresh food that a refrigerator can completely freeze from room temperature to freezer operating temperature in 24 hours. Power up to 10 – 15 kg/day will be quite enough for everyday use, but if you plan to freeze food in large volumes and often — you should pay attention to more
performant freezers.
Energy class
Refrigerator energy class according to the old European standard valid until 2021.
The energy class shows how economical the unit is compared to other models with similar specifications. It is used for devices manufactured before March 1, 2021. Initially, in this standard, classes were designated in Latin letters from A (most economical) to G (high power consumption). However, later improved classes A+, A++, and others appeared. (the more pluses, the more effective is the device). For modern refrigerators, marking A according to the old system is actually the minimum level of energy efficiency specific for outdated and low-cost devices; most models are classified as
A + and
A ++, and most
A+++. There is no need to wait for more pluses. Since 2021, all new equipment will be marked according to the new system, where class G will correspond to the old class A, class F to class A+ and so on.
Note that a higher energy efficiency class (with similar specifications) means a higher price but this difference can quickly pay off due to energy savings.
Energy class (new)
Refrigerator energy class according to the new European standard applicable from 2021.
In general, the energy class shows how economical the unit is compared to other models with similar characteristics. In the old system (current until 2021), the most energy efficient class was designated as A+++. However, the development of technology inevitably leads to the emergence of even more economical devices, for which even more pluses would have to be added. To simplify labelling, it was decided to switch to a new notation system. In this system, all letters were "shifted down":
— the old class A approximately corresponds to the new class G;
— old class A+ — class
F ;
— old class A++ — class
E ;
— old class A+++ — class D.
The new labelling standard will apply to all refrigerators manufactured after March 1, 2021.
Energy consumption per year
The average amount of energy consumed by a refrigerator in a year of operation. Of course, these figures are not absolutely accurate; the actual power consumption may vary depending on the specific operating conditions. However, this parameter makes it possible to evaluate the power consumption of the refrigerator and compare different models with each other. At the same time, it often turns out to be more convenient and visual than the energy consumption class (see above) because in this paragraph we are talking about a specific figure (from which you can also calculate the cost of electricity consumed). For clarity, let's take the following example: a small two-chamber refrigerator with energy class A can consume less energy per year than a large side-by-side unit of class A+++, although formally, in terms of energy consumption classes, the second model will be more economical than the first.
Noise level
The average noise level generated by the refrigerator during operation.
The
quietest models of refrigerators are noisy at a level of about 30 dB — this volume is comparable to the whispering or ticking of a wall clock and does not exceed the sanitary standards for residential premises at night. In other words, such a unit will not interfere with sleep, even if it is placed right in the bedroom. At the same time, the standard place for a refrigerator is still a kitchen, and with such an installation it is isolated from other living quarters. Therefore, the noise of 40 – 42 dB, corresponding to a quiet conversation, is considered quite acceptable for ordinary household refrigerators. And with good sound insulation, a volume of up to 50 dB is allowed — this is the level of conversation at an average volume.
Higher values are rare among refrigerators and are mainly found in display refrigerators(see "Product type") installed in shops where noise levels are not as much important.
Country of origin
The country in which this refrigerator model is manufactured (according to the manufacturer).
There are many stereotypes associated with the relationship between the origin and the quality of household appliances. Thus, the location of production in Europe (
Germany,
Lithuania,
Poland,
Romania,
Serbia,
Turkey, etc.) is considered more prestigious than in Asian countries (
China,
Thailand) or CIS countries (
Belarus,
Russia, Uzbekistan, etc.). And different European countries have a different reputation among buyers in this regard. However, these stereotypes should be treated with considerable distrust: the actual quality of products depends not so much on the geography of production, but on the quality of the organization of processes by a particular manufacturer. As a result, equipment of a similar level, produced by different brands in the same country, may differ markedly in actual quality.
It is worth to say that the same refrigerator model can be produced in several countries at the same time. And units of the same model, produced at different times at different plants, may be on the market at the same time. As a re
...sult, it happens that one country of production is indicated in the general characteristics of the model and another in the documentation for the unit purchased. It is quite a normal situation. However, if the country of production is still important for you, you should clarify this point in advance before buying.
