Choosing an Integrated Fridgefreezer
Refrigerators with integrated freezers are ideal for homeowners who prefer a streamlined decor as they can be easily incorporated into kitchen cabinetry. They are more expensive than freestanding models though because you'll need a fridge housing cabinet and possibly an Bridging cabinet.
The latest fridge freezers that are integrated use technology intelligently to reduce the day-to-day stress - such as reducing frost or, in the case of Kiwi brand Fisher & Paykel, eliminating it completely with self-defrosting mechanisms.
Size
Over the years integrated fridge freezers have become more commonplace, and it's quite easy to find similar replacement appliances. They're usually designed to fit inside a cabinet that can vary in size, but will be around 60cm wide internally (depending on the thickness of the cabinet sides).
When you are choosing an integrated fridge freezer, you also need to be aware of the capacity, based on the litres. The most commonly used capacity, 150 litres holds up to eight shopping bags worth of food. For larger households, there are fridges with integrated freezers that hold up to 350 tonnes.
Defrosting is an additional factor. Many fridge freezers with integrated freezers make it easier by reducing frost, and some even offer fully automatic, self defrosting models. This lets you get on with your daily task of storing food items without hassle.
Then, there's the installation type You can select between 'Fixed' and 'Sliding' hinge options. They are related to the way in which the appliance and cabinet doors are connected. Examine your fridge freezer to see which type of hinge it comes with and choose the same type of installation when purchasing a brand new one.
Layout
A popular choice for homes with an open kitchen, integrated fridge freezers integrate into your cabinets and appear hidden, allowing homeowners create a streamlined design. They come in many sizes and styles. They are ideal for people with limited space or who want to add minimalist style to their home. They come with many innovative features, such as humidity controls and glass shelves that can be adjusted to allow you to organize objects of different dimensions and shapes.
Look for integrated fridge freezers that have matching doors for cabinets and fronts for appliances. This will ensure that the decor of your kitchen is seamless. You'll also want to ensure that the fridge's and freezer's dimensions match your space and match your current cabinetry. If fridge freezer black are replacing a freestanding refrigerator, you may have to add tall end panels or a bridging cabinet in case the length of your fridge freezer is shorter than the kitchen cabinets on either side.
Depending on your budget, you can opt for a model with extra features, such as glass shelves that keep food crisper longer or compartments within the refrigerator's door to provide additional storage. There are models that reduce or even eliminate the need for the need to defrost using frost-free technology. If you want to reduce your daily hassles, think about a model with holiday mode or a power outage shut-down feature that allows the refrigerator and freezer sections to operate independently of each the other for a period of 18 hours.
Certain models come with reversible door designs, which are useful for opening your refrigerator and freezer from different sides of the room. Other models come with an alarm for the door that lets you know when the fridge or freezer is left unlocked, while others have a door-open detector that sounds an alert in the event that you leave a freezer or fridge unlocked for too long. There are models that have internal ice and water dispensers that can provide chilled water and ice at the push of a button. These models are more expensive and will require plumbing.
Energy rating
A fridge with an integrated freezer that has an A rating will help to keep your energy bills low. In recent years, appliance manufacturers made great strides to reduce the amount of energy their appliances consume by raising insulation standards and using new technologies such as high-efficiency compressors. However, a lot of people struggle to pay for an appliance with an A rating.
The energy rating system was overhauled. The days of confusing A++ and A+++ ratings and in their place is a more straightforward A-G rating that's easier to understand.
To get an A rating refrigerators and freezers need to consume less energy than 90% of comparable appliances available. To attain this, fridges and freezers must cool faster so that food stays fresh and nutrient rich. For frozen food to be optimally prepared they must perform well when freezing.
To be rated A, integrated refrigerators and freezers have to meet a range of other requirements. They must, for example, have a high level of insulation and a compressor that is efficient, and include features such as temperature controls and frost-free settings. Additionally, the manufacturer must declare whether or not their fridge has an ice box that is separate and the amount of storage space it is in total (this includes any additional shelves, drawers or trays).
A new version of the energy label will take 2021, which will make it even easier to compare different products. It will show you the energy consumption in kilowatts per year and an overall score for the appliance in relation to its performance. It will display this information in a bar graph which will be easy to read.
You can find top-rated fridges and freezers online as well as in store however, you'll need to pay more upfront. You will save money on your power bills over time. You may also want to consider a climate class rating if you're buying a freezer that will be stored in a garage or another area where temperatures can drop dramatically.
Style
Integrated fridge freezers fit inside your kitchen cabinets to create a sleek look. They are popular with homeowners who want to save space or prefer a minimalist decor. Unlike freestanding appliances that can be concealed in corners, or under the counters integrated fridge freezers can be hidden behind the cabinet doors and blend into your decor. An integrated model can make your kitchen a larger and more spacious appearance.
There are a lot of things to think about when purchasing an integrated refrigerator freezer. It is essential to make sure that the cabinet door hinges and split types are compatible. If your current appliance has a 50:50 split then buy another one with the same split type, otherwise you won't be able open the doors on the new fridge freezer.
It is essential to not overfill your integrated freezer in your refrigerator, or else you could have difficulty closing the doors. The hinges for these appliances can only withstand a certain amount of weight. It is crucial to know that placing too many large cartons in the fridge or freezer will cause the door to sag or even fail completely.
Many fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators come with a variety of features to make your life more convenient. These include a handy light inside the freezer or fridge compartment to help you locate food items and an automatic defrost system to cut down on time and a speedy chill or fast freeze feature that allows you to bring food to the proper temperature quickly.
Ultimately an integrated fridge freezer is an essential piece of kitchen kit that performs a very necessary role in keeping your food fresh and organized. The latest models are designed to ease day-to-day hassle with subtly incorporated technologies that provide deceivingly large storage, as well as clever additions such as wine racks.
NE Appliances offers an extensive range of fridge freezers that are integrated with a variety of sizes and styles to suit any home. We offer a wide range of colours and finishes to choose from and we can install your fridgefreezer for you at a reasonable cost. You can spread the cost of your online purchase by using our flexible financing options, such as Klarna.