Number of shelves
The amount of shelves in a refrigerator determines the division of space within the refrigeration compartment. Larger refrigeration compartments generally have more shelves, but there are also various configurations available even within the same volume (
3 shelves,
4 shelves,
5 shelves and more). It is worth considering that they are mostly removable, which allows you to adjust the height of the shelf. And if necessary, you can buy more.
Dynamic air cooling
In refrigerators with
dynamic air cooling, the air inside the working compartment moves not due to the temperature difference, but due to the operation of the built-in fan. This ensures uniform distribution of cold air and the same temperature throughout the volume.
Telescopic rails
Retractable guides allow the drawer to roll smoothly on a special roller. The main advantage of "telescopes" is that you do not need to make much effort. On the other hand, such devices are more expensive and are used in premium segment devices.
Controls
Refrigerator control panel. To date, there are such options:
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Rotary switches. While a rotary switch technically has the potential to be used for a wide range of functions, in practice, this variety is typically only found in basic models with limited functionality. In such cases, control is often done manually by turning a thermostat knob, with limited options for adjusting temperature, humidity, and other settings.
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Push-buttons. CRefrigerators can have a control panel with classic buttons that offer various functionalities depending on the model. These functionalities can range from basic adjustments (similar to rotary switches) to fine-tuning of temperature and humidity, control of special modes, and more. Compared to rotary switches, push-buttons generally offer a wider range of possibilities.
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Touch. Touch panels are a modern and stylish control option for refrigerators, which requires a light touch to operate. They are considered the most advanced type of control, providing convenient and extensive functionality. Touch panels are typically installed in premium models, where they add to the device's aesthetic appeal with a minimum of unnecessary protruding parts.
Energy class
The energy class that the refrigerator corresponds to.
Energy consumption classes were originally designated with Latin letters from
A (the most efficient) to D (least efficient), but with technological advancements, more advanced classes such as "A+", "A++", etc. were introduced to indicate increasing levels of efficiency. The more pluses a device has, the more economical it is. This was necessary due to the correlation between energy consumption and decreasing efficiency.
For modern built-in refrigerators, the efficiency indicator at the level of class A can be called average,
A+ — not bad,
A++ — good,
A+++ — excellent. Energy consumption rates B and C are rare and mostly found in outdated or cheaper models. Achieving high efficiency requires design innovations, which results in higher device prices. However, these prices can be justified by the resulting reduction in electricity bills. It's worth noting that some built-in refrigerator models are available in different energy consumption classes, allowing customers to choose the best option for their budget and energy efficiency needs.
Energy consumption per year
The average amount of energy consumed by a refrigerator in a year of operation.
The given parameter is an estimated value and assumes that the refrigerator operates under stable conditions without sudden temperature changes, frequent door openings, and within its designated climate class (see below). Actual energy consumption may deviate slightly from the stated value. Despite this, it is a useful parameter that allows for a rough comparison of different models in terms of energy efficiency.
It should be noted that the energy consumption per year is often a more practical and convenient parameter than the energy consumption class (see above), which is a relative indicator of how efficient a refrigerator is compared to other models of similar size and features. The energy consumption per year, on the other hand, provides an estimate of the actual electricity cost when using a particular refrigerator. For instance, a small two-door refrigerator with an energy class of A can consume less energy per year than a large side-by-side refrigerator with a class of A+++, despite the fact that the latter is formally more energy-efficient than the former in terms of its energy class.
Noise level
This parameter indicates the level of noise that the refrigerator produces while operating. A noise level of 40 decibels is similar to the average volume of human speech, 50 decibels is similar to the background noise in an office, and 80 decibels is similar to traffic noise. The lower the noise level of the refrigerator, the more comfortable it will be to use.
Country of origin
The "country of manufacture" refers to the location where a refrigerator model is produced. While most manufacturing plants are situated
in China, but there are still some in Europe (
in Germany,
Hungary,
Italy,
Poland,
Romania,
Slovenia,
Turkey, etc.). The country of manufacture may not significantly affect the product's quality, although some people associate European assembly with dependability. Additionally, a model may have a country of manufacture listed, such as Poland, even though the same product is produced in China and sold under the same item number in stores.