Comparison Liebherr CN 4315 white vs Liebherr CBN 4815 white

The total capacity of the refrigerator is the total capacity of all the main working chambers: refrigerating, freezing, zero, and wine chambers. The set of these chambers, of course, will be different in different models (see more about them above). Here we note that large volumes, on the one hand, simplify the storage of numerous products and, on the other hand, affect the dimensions and price of the unit. It is also worth considering that refrigerators of the same total capacity may differ in the capacity of individual chambers.

The number of individual chambers in the design of the refrigerator.

Refrigerator and freezer compartments are separated from each other; with more advanced equipment, nuances are possible: for example, the fresh zone (see "Compartments") in some units can be part of the refrigerator compartment, in others — a separate chamber. These nuances should be clarified for each model separately. As for the specific quantity, the most popular nowadays are two- chamber units, usually consisting of a refrigeration and freezer chamber. However, other models are also on the market — both fairly simple single-chamber devices, and advanced solutions with three chambers and even more. Here is a more detailed description of the different options:

— Single chamber. Refrigerators of the simplest design, have only one full-fledged compartment — the refrigeration itself. At the same time, the volume of such models can be both small and quite significant. In addition, in single-chamber units additional “climatic” compartments such as a freshness zone/humidity zone can be provided. But if there is a freezer, the refrigerator is already moving into the category of two-chamber — even if the freezer compartment is installed inside the refrigerator and does not have its own door for access from the outside.

— Two chambers. The most popular...type of modern refrigerator. In the vast majority of two-chamber models, in addition to the main refrigeration compartment, a freezer is provided, inside which the temperature is maintained well below zero. Note that not every refrigerator with such equipment is suitable for freezing food (for more details, see “Freezer temperature”). However, the presence of a freezer allows to effectively store previously frozen food.
On the market, you can find (albeit very rarely) two-chamber models without a freezer. These are either display refrigerators (see "product type"), or classic units, where other equipment is provided — for example, a completely separate fresh zone.

— Three chambers. In units from this category, two traditional compartments (refrigeration and freezing) are supplemented by a third compartment that differs in purpose. The specific type of such a compartment should be specified separately. It can be, for example, a fresh zone, a wine chamber, etc. Anyway, the functionality of three-chamber refrigerators is wider than that of traditional two-chamber refrigerators. The downsides to this are the higher price and size: most three-chamber units have a French Door or Side-by-Side layout (see "Product type"), while the classic vertical models have an increased height.

— Four chambers. Refrigerators of this type are usually classified as multi-chamber. They consist of the main compartment, a freezer and two additional compartments. At the same time, one of the additional compartments is almost guaranteed to be a fresh zone but the purpose of the second one can be different: an additional fresh/humidity zone, a multi-zone (see "Compartments"), a wine chamber, etc. Anyway, such refrigerators, on the one hand, are multifunctional and roomy; on the other hand, they are bulky and expensive. All of them belong to the category French Door or Side-by-Side (see "Product type").

— Five chambers. Further development of the idea of multi-chamber refrigerators; is similar to four-chamber models, except that there are not two additional compartments, but three. Accordingly, the functionality of such units is more extensive, the cost is higher, and the dimensions, usually, are even larger.

Various special features provided in the refrigerator, such as holiday mode, control via smartphone, child lock, ( LED display or TFT display), door alarm reversible door. And now in more detail:

— Holiday mode. A special mode of operation in case of a long absence of users — when there is no foodstuff in the refrigerating chamber and there is no need for the unit to work intensively. In holiday mode, the temperature inside is maintained at about 12 °C; this prevents the growth of mould and unpleasant odours, while the energy consumption is very low.

— Control via smartphone. The ability of access to control the refrigerator via the Internet. The refrigerator, usually, is connected to the World Wide Web using Wi-Fi — via a router or a smart home system. The convenience of this function is obvious: it allows you to control the operation of the unit from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection. However, the specific implementation of such control may be different: some models of refrigerators use an application installed on a smartphone or tablet, and others allow you to work through a web page available in any browser. However, the user can thus obtain various data on the unit's operating mode (temperatur...e and humidity in the chambers, the use of special functions, malfunctions and emergencies, etc.) and, if necessary, change its settings.

— Child lock. Various features to keep your refrigerator safe from small children. Often, it means blocking the control panel — so that a curious baby cannot change the settings.

— Display. Refrigerators of any level can be equipped with displays — from the simplest to the most advanced. Anyway, the screen provides additional convenience in operation: it can display various detailed information about the operation of the unit, as well as other useful data (for example, time). But the specific type of display may be different.
— LED display. Usually, they are very simple — they display one colour (maximum two or three basic colours) and a limited set of characters (numbers, individual letters and some special icons). However, such limited functionality is enough even for fairly advanced refrigerators, and LED displays are inexpensive.
— TFT display. These are already the most functional screens — like those used in smartphones, tablets, etc. They are capable to display a huge variety of information and can even be made touch-sensitive. And some units with TFT displays are not just refrigerators at all but multifunctional smart home components. However, such an appliance costs accordingly.

— Door alarm. An alarm system that warns that the refrigerator door is open for a long time (or not closed tightly enough). After some time after opening, such a system gives a signal (usually sound), notifying the user of the need to check the status of the door. It avoids a critical increase in temperature in the refrigerator chamber and damage to the contents. In some models, this system is also complemented by a light indicator that confirms the correct closing of the door — this further reduces the risk of leaving the refrigerator loosely closed.

— Reversible door. The ability to choose from which side the hinges on the refrigerator door will be located and, accordingly, in which direction it will open. It allows you to optimize the space in the kitchen, providing access to the contents of the unit from the most convenient side. Please note that this function is only available for classic design models, including display refrigerators (see “Product type”). In Side-by-Side and French Door refrigerators it makes no sense to provide this feature.

The total capacity of the main working chamber of the refrigerator. If there are separate zero chambers, compartments for wine and other additional functions, this paragraph takes into account only the volume of the refrigerating chamber itself, without additional equipment. In the smallest modern units, this figure does not even reach 100 liters, in the largest it can exceed 400 liters.

The choice of capacity depends on the actual storage needs of the products. At the same time, both the volume of stocks and the frequency of their replenishment (every day, once a week, etc.) matter. The chamber should not be stocked completely; this adversely affects the quality of the refrigerator. On the other hand, it is worth remembering that large volumes accordingly affect the dimensions and price of the unit.

In general, for one or two people, a capacity of 200 – 250 liters, or even less, is considered quite sufficient. The optimal capacity for a family of three is about 250 – 300 liters, for four to five people — 300 – 350 liters, and larger volumes are really needed mainly for specific situations when food has to be stored in large quantities and for a long time.

The capacity of the zero chamber provided in the refrigerator.

Typically, manufacturers choose the volume of the zero chamber by the total capacity and price category of the refrigerator. So this parameter is important mainly in cases where you plan to store many products at the same time that require the fresh zone. In such cases, it may make sense to sacrifice part of the volume of the refrigerator or freezer and choose a unit with a larger zero chamber. If the refrigerator is planned for normal domestic use, you can ignore this parameter.

Refrigerator energy class according to the old European standard valid until 2021.

The energy class shows how economical the unit is compared to other models with similar specifications. It is used for devices manufactured before March 1, 2021. Initially, in this standard, classes were designated in Latin letters from A (most economical) to G (high power consumption). However, later improved classes A+, A++, and others appeared. (the more pluses, the more effective is the device). For modern refrigerators, marking A according to the old system is actually the minimum level of energy efficiency specific for outdated and low-cost devices; most models are classified as A + and A ++, and most A+++. There is no need to wait for more pluses. Since 2021, all new equipment will be marked according to the new system, where class G will correspond to the old class A, class F to class A+ and so on.

Note that a higher energy efficiency class (with similar specifications) means a higher price but this difference can quickly pay off due to energy savings.

The average amount of energy consumed by a refrigerator in a year of operation. Of course, these figures are not absolutely accurate; the actual power consumption may vary depending on the specific operating conditions. However, this parameter makes it possible to evaluate the power consumption of the refrigerator and compare different models with each other. At the same time, it often turns out to be more convenient and visual than the energy consumption class (see above) because in this paragraph we are talking about a specific figure (from which you can also calculate the cost of electricity consumed). For clarity, let's take the following example: a small two-chamber refrigerator with energy class A can consume less energy per year than a large side-by-side unit of class A+++, although formally, in terms of energy consumption classes, the second model will be more economical than the first.