Choose A Refrigerator For Your Place
Reviews, comparisons, and useful resources to get the most out of your Refrigerator
Learn More About Refrigerators
The most basic models with salad crispers and A+ energy ratings range from $130 to $200. Top-mounted freezers come next with prices that range from $350 to $600. High-quality bottom-mounted freezers usually cost from $700 to $1500. You can also find customized vintage-style fridges which cost around $2000+.
When it comes to quality, old manufacturers are still the leaders on the market. Whirpool (USA), Electrolux (Sweden), Bosch (Germany), LG (South Korea), Samsung (South Korea).
Find a fridge or freezer recycling method. You can ask your manufacturer to pick it up. Many household appliance dealers provide this service as a privilege. They are dropping your refrigerator off at your place anyway so... If this service is unavailable, try and negotiate it as part of the deal.
Here Are The Most Popular Questions
The average cost is usually around $50. To dump one fridge at a landfill will cost you from $35 to $60 (provided you do that yourself). If you decide to ask professionals to junk it properly, their prices range from $70 to $150. Damn you, freon!
To start with, most refrigerators are almost noiseless these days. So you will hardly make the wrong choice. Basically, it all depends on the compressors. Some models have two of them (one for the fridge and one for the freezer). LG 26.0 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Side Refrigerator and Samsung RF28K9380SR can be considered some of the most silent ones. But the price bites. Consider Haier brand for that purpose as well or look for absorption refrigerators that use a heat source to affect the cooling system (quiet but not that efficient).
Well, if you have a local recycling/energy company in your city, they may gladly come and pick up your old fridge for free or even pay you as much as $50. Such companies often engage Rebate programs with specific guidelines that you have to stick to if you want to get cash for your old refrigerator. There are various companies in different states, e.g. CPS (Texas), Con Edison (New York), APS (Arizona), PNM (New Mexico), Duke Energy (North Carolina), PPL Corporation (Kentucky), etc. Most of these companies can take fridges between 10 and 30 cu ft large. Some of them may also take care of your other old appliances, like ovens, washers, microwaves, ACs, etc.
This mainly depends on its age (not more than 10 years), breakage frequency, and problem type/numbers. Also, the money you have already spent on it. You can call an expert to weigh it all and decide if you should get yourself a new model or go for repair.
An average lifespan of a fridge, as mentioned before, is 10 years these days. If your fridge is more than 15 years, you might consider replacing it with a new model. If there’s a good reason for that, of course, e.g. noises, leaks, poor cooling/freezing, etc. There can be multiple reasons at once, and that’s, typically, a clear sign for a replacement. If your fridge’s not covered anymore, you can call an appliance repair expert for estimation. That’s how you will know if the unit is worth reviving or it’s time to replace it. Besides, the type of fridge and its efficiency also matter. Built-in fridges are less expensive to repair than side-by-side of French door fridges. So in case you have problems with one of the latter, consider a replacement. Top-mounted and bottom-mounted freezers are often replaced if they are more than 7 years old. Otherwise, they may cost you high electric bills due to sucking twice the energy they are supposed to, and you may waste your money on constant repairs.
That depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. Both are famous and reliable South Korean brands with good customer service and high-quality products. Some people say that if you want a durable long-lasting refrigerator and save on your electricity bills go with LG. If you want a fast and smart fridge, go with Samsung. Some of the compared models have smart features and more room (Samsung), some are cheaper (LG) and have better ratings.
The first thing that comes to mind, is spoiled food. If your food going bad faster than it should or your beer is not cold enough, that’s a clear sign that something is wrong. Another alert sign is condensation/frost over the exterior – if you notice some water droplets on the door, you may want to check its rubber sealing. Then it can be your fridge’s motor that’s constantly running and often loud (it’s not supposed to). Your freezer may produce too much ice and look like an iceberg itself when you open it (that’s not normal – you need to defrost the freezer). Your electricity bills are too high – the reason for that maybe your fridge that uses too much energy (FYI, top-mounted freezers typically use less energy than bottom-mounted freezers). Your fridge is more than 10 years old (consider replacement). You notice frequent leaks – the water should never pool in or around the unit (maybe it’s just the seals, though). These are the most popular reasons you need to cure your fridge or replace it.
