feature: cooling


“With renewed focus on health and hygiene, people now seek models that not only solve their increased storage needs but also protect their food from bacteria and keep it fresher for longer,” she says.


‘‘ Busier households


mean a need for additional storage


Hisense says it has seen an increasing demand in flexibility to fit with the consumers’ ever-changing lifestyles. Nick Fletcher, marketing manager at


Hisense UK, says: “Hisense’s My Fresh Choice allows users to change the temperature in a dedicated compartment of the fridge-freezer


Labelling under the spotlight There have been some incredible innovations in the cooling market in recent years, and now the focus is appearing to turn to the creation of eco- friendly appliances and sustainability. The new EU Energy labelling system – introduced in March – to simplify consumer purchasing decisions has put the onus on manufacturers to consider more the sustainability of their products. LG’s Mr Palmer says: “As most people


know, constantly opening refrigerators and fridge freezers leads to cold air loss and a reduction in the efficiency of the appliance as it works harder to maintain the temperature. “Previously, 90% of fridges and freezers


were rated A+ or A++, but the new labelling system means that manufacturers will have to work much harder to create products that are awarded A or B labels.” Indesit’s Ms Warner adds: “Each new label


features a QR code that consumers can scan with their smartphones to get the clearest- ever understanding of a product’s energy performance and other characteristics.” All this will be increasingly important with the changing energy labels as consumers who are used to seeing A+ rated fridge freezers will now see C as the top rating and this may be confusing. Miele’s Mr McCormick says: “Of course it’s


the right thing to do and will continue the push for more efficient designs, but during the transition having hands-on advice will be invaluable.”


between 5℃ to -20℃, allowing the product to cater to ever-changing household needs at the touch of a button. “Whether it’s extra space for drinks at the


weekend, or extending the freezer section to cater for a larger party now that some restrictions have been lifted, the appliance can adapt to offer more storage dependent on your needs.” There is also heightened consumer demand


for cooling appliances that have large capacities, to accommodate more food and groceries than ever before. Milo Cheney, cooling product manager,


multi-doors at Haier, says: “Larger capacity multi-doors and side-by-side models are now seen as aspirational, statement appliances that consumers are willing to invest in to give their kitchens a real centrepiece.” In the last few years, the main topic


of conversation is the smart home, and connectivity is the word on everybody’s lips. Consumers increasingly want their kitchen appliances to do more; to save them time, energy and money, and all with exceptional levels of performance. Tim Buszka, Whirlpool’s head of brand and


digital, says: “The great benefits of connected appliances are being realised, not only with regards to economy and resource savings, but also in terms of making their lives simpler. “By connecting to the appliance remotely and delegating tasks to the appliance, time and effort is reduced as well as generating the next level of energy and resource saving.” BSH’s Ms Posner says that while manufacturers can already see rising interest in connectivity, in five years or so it will be the main selling focus for fridge-freezers. She says: “Connectivity is extremely


important for fridge-freezers. With people being more aware of smart products, coupled with the fact that they want more convenience from their appliance, our WIFI-enabled products can help with this.”


LG Electronics says that it continues to champion connected appliances and its latest products reflect a desire from consumers for ease of use when it comes to fridges and freezers. David Palmer, product specialist home appliances at LG Electronics, says: “With consumers spending more time at home, there’s a real interest in having a network of connected appliances to make daily living easier than ever which is why LG products offer the ability to control appliances remotely through the LG ThinQ app. “The LG InstaView Door-in-Door


(GMX945MC9F) can be used through the LG ThingQ app, enabling consumers to monitor and control their compatible home appliances remotely through their mobile devices. Key features of the fridge can be managed, including being able to adjust temperature settings and the app also notifies consumers when the door is left open.” Despite manufacturers investing in smart


technology, Miele suggests that it’s too early to really know the importance of connected cooling appliances. Max McCormick, a category manager at


Miele GB, says: “The sales of smart appliances are increasing, but that’s also because the number of smart appliances on offer has increased – it doesn’t mean customers are


24 | www.ierdaily.co.uk May & June 2021


‘‘


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32