How To Select The Best Refrigerator/Freezer For Your Home

One of the most highly utilized appliances in your home, especially in your kitchen, is your refrigerator and freezer. While most other major kitchen appliances, such as ovens and dishwashers, are fairly standard in design, a refrigerator and freezer unit comes in several different configurations to choose from. The three main styles are traditional top freezer refrigerators, bottom freezer refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators. Each of the three designs have numerous benefits to take into account when choosing which one will work best for you.

Traditional Top Freezer Refrigerator

Long considered the only true option in refrigerator and freezer designs, the traditional top freezer refrigerator is the style most often found in homes today. Many people believe one of the main benefits of this design is the cost of the unit itself. Top freezer refrigerators are the most affordable of all the styles available today. Since they were once the standard model, nearly every major appliance manufacturer carries at least a handful of different models of top freezer refrigerators. Most families prefer this style because they allow children easy access to the bottom refrigerator where beverages and snacks would be kept. Even with the newer designs flooding the market, traditional top freezer refrigerators still remain a popular choice amongst homeowner's seeking a classic look in a design they have become accustomed to over the years.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerators

In a slight change of design from a top freezer refrigerator, a bottom freezer refrigerator is nothing more than an upside down version of its predecessor. The design of the bottom freezer refrigerator was inspired by the fact that most people require more frequent access to cold items as opposed to their frozen foods. Instead of constantly bending over to remove something from a top freezer unit, you can access all of your refrigerated goods at eye level. The bottom freezer slides out easily to provide access to frozen goods and, since those items are needed as frequently, bending down to reach them is minimal. Bottom freezer refrigerators also tend to be somewhat more energy efficient than other designs as well.

Side-By-Side Refrigerators

A side-by-side refrigerator is said to give you the best of both worlds. The design allows you to store both frozen and refrigerated goods that you access most often at eye level, making them easier to see and retrieve as needed. Less commonly used items can be placed in the lower halves of the refrigerator and freezer sides to minimize having to bend over as much. Currently, side-by-side refrigerators are the most popular designs on the market.

While three types of refrigerator freezer designs may seem like a rather limited selection, keep in mind that all three of these styles come in a wide variety of colors, finishes, and sizes. There are models in all three designs perfect for the single person to the large family. All three models have various other add on features that can be purchased including in-door ice and water dispensers that may dispense ice in cubed, crushed, or even shaved form. Regardless of your situation, there is a refrigerator freezer unit designed to meet all of your needs.