April 2023 ertonline.co.uk Miele’s KFN7795D Fridge Freezer. Right: AEG’s GreenZone drawer


“Another technology is MultiAirflow, which


ensures even humidity and temperature distribution throughout the refrigerator. This is important because uneven cooling can greatly affect the flavour and longevity of food.” Over at Hisense, Matthew Glynn, Product Marketing Manager


for Hisense UK, points


Offering similar clever technology, the new Cube 90 Series 7 fridge-freezer from Haier includes the special Humidity Zone drawer – which the brand claims keeps fresh fruit and vegetables twice as long. And with MyZone, users can adjust the drawer’s temperature with a simple touch of a button according to their daily storage needs. Not only this, but Haier’s exclusive ABT Pro technology also removes up to 99.99 per cent of bacteria both in the refrigerator and freezer, making sure food is always stored safely in the best way.


The Swedish-born ASKO brand announced its debut refrigeration range earlier this year, featuring the R31831I Refrigerator and RF31831I Fridge-Freezer. Both products are equipped with a ‘Fresh Air’ function that uses ionising technology to clean the air inside the refrigeration unit and remove unwanted odours. And BSH brands – namely Bosch, Siemens and Neff – offer a range of solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste, as Rob Westwood, Product Manager Cooling at BSH Home Appliances, explains:


“One solution


is VitaFresh, which features two separate compartments with integrated climate control. One drawer is designed for meat and fish, while the other is for vegetables and fruit.


out that consumers’ shopping wish lists for appliances have changed due to the cost-of- living and energy crisis. “Energy efficiency is going to be the driving force within the cooling market over the next few years,” he tells ERT. “It’s a tricky subject to address, particularly for cooling products as they are ‘always on’ appliances, and typically use a lot of energy in the home compared to other electricals. But we’re always looking to further develop our technology to help reduce the costs associated with keeping these products running.” Taking the Hisense American-style RS818


refrigerator, for example, it offers smart Wi-Fi connectivity so the user can control the temperature from anywhere using an app.


The pinnacle of convenience “Smart technology is designed to elevate consumers’ home appliances to being the pinnacle of convenience with complete control and remote access,” says David Palmer, LG’s Senior Product Specialist for Home Appliances. “These clever devices can learn from consumers and adopt to their lifestyle habits.” Users with Smart Learner via the LG ThinQ


app receive push notifications for any issues, and can drop products into low power mode to save on overall running costs. In addition, LG’s InstaView fridge-freezer can also be synced with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The InstaView is the one where users can look inside the fridge via a transparent glass panel in the door (right) – and grab smaller items by simply opening the special door-in- door, with no need to open the main door! Samsung’s own smart ecosystem, SmartThings Home, was launched last year – it allows consumers to connect, automate and manage everything in one app, while the Home Connect app from BSH also boasts similar functions and enables push notifications to be set up as well. Mr Westwood reveals news of new BSH


products on the horizon, including a fridge- freezer with a voice-activated door! “The


real-world benefit of this is that it allows for hands-free access – especially useful when your hands are full or dirty, or you have mobility issues,” he explains. However, a fridge-freezer often has fewer smart features than other kitchen appliances and Mr Westwood believes this makes it more difficult for consumers to see where connectivity could help in their day-to-day lives. He says: “Connected cooling appliances


are still relatively new to consumers, yet it’s an area that is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. With the rapid development of technology, consumers are interacting with smart fridges in many more ways, helping to increase that


familiarity. The more we


promote and talk about it, the more they will see how it can make their lives easier and more convenient.” >>


On the left:


Hisense RS818 and Haier Cube 90 Series 7


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