n Moist humidity cooling is a most interesting feature. Moist cold air will keep your food fresher longer because it slows down the aging process. It will also hold the nutrients into the fruits and vegetables better than dry cold air. A refrigerator that delivers moist cold air may cost more up front, but the average delay in spoiling food is between 5–7 days. That means much less food is wasted and less trips to the grocery store. Standard refrigerators do not have this feature.
n Through-the-door water and ice dispenser is a great feature that can give you ice and cold water on demand without having to open the freezer door. Some models also include several choices of ice such as cubed, chopped and crushed. Keep in mind that you will need to add a water supply to use this feature. You can also purchase a refrigerator that has child proof locks on the dispenser so that children cannot push the buttons and make a mess.
Photo courtesy of GE
n A water filter is a great addition for households that have unpleasant water supplies. They are designed to remove
impurities from your water supply either for just ice cubes or the in-door ice and water dispenser. Take note that you can also install a water filter onto the main water line that supplies water to your refrigerator.
n Multimedia combos are coming of age now also. There are now high- end refrigerators that offer high-tech equipment. Such as televisions on the door, digital pictures, music devices and even organizational calendars for the entire family. These are considered a definite splurge.
Energy Saving Tips
There are some simple things you can do to help conserve energy with your existing refrigerator or a new purchase. The placement is very important, choose a cool location. Do not place your refrigerator in direct sunlight or next to a heat source, such as an oven. When placing leftovers inside, let them cool to room temperature first, hot food will make your refrigerator work overtime to cool it down. Position your refrigerator so that there is plenty of airflow around the backside. If the unit is built in, make sure there is plenty of ventilation on the top also. Restricting air flow could add an additional 15 percent or more to your electric bill. For this fact alone, never install a refrigerator or freezer in an unventilated cupboard. The condenser coils on the back of most models need to be cleaned occasionally to maintain energy efficiency as well. Furthermore, if you do not have a
frost free model then you must defrost it regularly to remain energy efficient. Of course do not open the door more than you need to, try to grab everything you need in one trip and do not stand with the door open because you are indecisive, this lets too much cool air escape needlessly. Make sure the door seal is tight and secure also. Most importantly, don’t set the
temperature too low. The difference of one degree can up your energy consumption by at least five percent. Check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer, your refrigerator should register 3 to 4 degrees Celsius and your freezer between -15 to -18 degrees Celsius. If your model is keeping food too warm, that means your food items
72 July/August 2011
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