It is recommended to take the choice of a refrigerator for the home with due seriousness, since it serves for a long time and performs important functions that affect the health of households - cooling and proper storage of food. Modern refrigerators have many functions unfamiliar to the layman: natural circulation, freshness zone, auto-freezing and forced cooling.
Cooling system
There are several methods of cooling, each with specific benefits.
- Compression system. Inherent in most refrigerators on the Russian market. The coolant circulates in it through special discharge pipes due to the pressure generated by the compressor. Advantages: economical energy consumption, large volume. Disadvantages: noisy.
- Absorption system. In models with this system, the heat exchanger is first heated, which then provokes the circulation of the coolant. The absorption system is often used for compact refrigerators. Advantages: can consume liquefied gas. Disadvantages: increased energy consumption, low freezing temperature (up to -18).
- Thermoelectric system. Works by passing current through semiconductor wafers. Used in small models. Advantages: compactness, quiet operation. Disadvantages: overconsumption of energy in large refrigerators.
Climatic class
This characteristic determines which environmental conditions are most favorable for the operation of the refrigerator. The climatic class affects the warranty conditions: using the equipment in unsuitable conditions for it automatically removes it from the warranty.
In Russia, 2 climatic classes are mainly sold:
- N - for operation in a temperature range from +16 to + 32C.
- SN - for operation at temperatures from +10 to + 32C.
Comfort class
The comfort characteristic is related to the location of the refrigerator and freezer compartment of the device. In this case, when choosing, it is better to be guided by personal preferences. However, it should be borne in mind that the bottom freezer is still more convenient.
There are also Side by side models - two-compartment refrigerators, similar to cabinets: both chambers are located vertically in them. This technique requires quite a lot of space and is also in the upper price range.
Defrosting method
- The manual method involves disconnecting the refrigerator from the network to defrost it. This method was used in Soviet-made models.
- Automatic method - built-in defrosting system. Drip: when the compressor stops working, moisture flows down the rear wall of the chamber into a container, where it subsequently evaporates. Windy (No Frost): due to the outflow of moisture outside the chamber, ice does not form in it at all.
Both types of automatic defrost systems have their supporters, as they work perfectly. At the same time, each system has its own small drawbacks (in drip refrigerators, sometimes a slight frost can form, and the No Frost system can dry out products without packaging).
Cooling method
- Natural air circulation. Advantages: products do not dry even without packaging, minimal electricity consumption. Disadvantages: Sometimes food can be overcooled.
- Forced cooling with a fan (No Frost). Advantages: frost does not form on the surface of the products, uniform temperature distribution. Disadvantages: shrinkage of products that are poorly packaged, increased consumption of electricity.
Life time
A high-quality refrigerator should work for a long time, no one can argue with that. Repairing refrigerators is a rather troublesome business, so we all want to be sure of the quality of the purchase. How to determine how many years a refrigerator will work?
Pay attention to the period of the manufacturer's warranty. This indicator varies from 1 to 5 years. The warranty period does not directly indicate the durability of the product, but provides you with the confidence that during this time you will be free from repair costs.
