For today it is simply impossible to imaginea modern house, an apartment and even an office without such an important functional component as a refrigerator. Technological development of the world's leading manufacturers in the field of household equipment simply amaze the imagination of the ordinary buyer. The variety of models, their functionality and design solutions are presented so extensively that it is rather difficult to answer the question on how to choose a good refrigerator. But let's try to deal with this difficult at first glance task. So, what should I look for when choosing a refrigerator? 
Separate and recessed refrigerated cabinets
Let's start with how it should look likeModern equipment to properly fit into the dimensions and interior of your kitchen. Refrigerators can be both stand-alone and built-in furniture designs. Of course, they have fundamental differences, which will be discussed below. Stand-alone models differ from their embedded counterparts, in the first place, simplicity of installation and placement. They are sufficiently mobile, which allows them to be rearranged if necessary, and also have the widest choice of colors and amaze with the flight of design thought. Refrigerators, the installation of which provides for installation in the components of the kitchen set or special niches, are called built-in. Their main distinctive features and undeniable advantages are the preservation of the general interior design of the kitchen and the substantial saving of its useful space. That's just the choice of the necessary model in this case will require you to a certain time and patience. I must say that both stand-alone and built-in refrigerators do not differ in their functional characteristics. The difference can only amount to a price - built-in equipment is always more expensive than a stand-alone equipment. This applies to the rest of the equipment for the house. 
Design and dimensions of refrigerators
Now we turn to such an important question,The dimensions of the model and its design. Choosing a new refrigerator and assuming to install it in place of the old one, take into account not only the dimensional characteristics, but also the side of opening the door. Also it is necessary to determine the possibility of problem-free delivery of the chosen model to the apartment, taking into account its dimensions relative to all the doorways encountered on the way: the entrance of the house, the elevator, the apartment and, most importantly, the kitchen. Under the design of refrigerators mean the number of doors in it. In this connection, models can be:
- one-door (one common door in the refrigerator and freezer);
- two-door (one separate door to the refrigerator and freezer);
- multi-door (there is a third additional door to the freshness zone).
By the number of doors available for the model, you canto judge how many cameras there are in it. In refrigerators with one door, there is usually one camera. But in their model range there are also options with a separate small freezer. One-door refrigerators in height are usually not less than 85 and not more than 160 cm, their width is about 55 cm, and the depth is up to 60 cm. Their volume does not exceed 250 liters. Refrigerator of this size is better regarded as a dacha, office or hotel option, as well as it is quite suitable for the owner of a small apartment or a small house with a small kitchen. The most common models we have are two-door highs from one and a half to two or more meters and an average volume of 350-400 liters, and in some cases up to 600. In such models, there are usually two independent cameras - a refrigerator and a freezer - with a separate door for each of them. There are also three-chamber variants with the so-called "fresh zone", where optimal temperature conditions are created that stop the process of bacterial multiplication. They can store products for a long time without freezing. Agree, this is a very convenient technological find for a modern house. There are also very capacious large-sized models, consisting of several refrigerating and freezing chambers. Departments in household refrigerators are assembled in one of the following ways:
- A large freezer is located below, under the refrigerator. This is the so-called "European" option.
- A small or medium freezer is located above the refrigerator. This is how the "Asian" version looks.
- The refrigerator and freezers adjoin each other along the entire height of the refrigeration unit. Option Side-by-Side, or "American".
As a rule, with the top location of the freezerthe camera it looks like is hollow inside the compartment. If it is at the bottom, it is usually divided into several boxes or containers - this is done for greater capacity.
Classes of electric consumption of refrigerators
One of the most important criteria for choosingThe refrigerator is a class of its energy consumption. Since there is evidence that about 30% of the electricity consumed in the house falls to just this kind of household appliances, the question of their profitability is always relevant for consumers and producers. Until recently, in the refrigerator market, the most convenient models in this regard were class A models. Class B held the second place, and the third place housed the least economical options - with the consumption class G. This distribution existed for a long time and seemed unshakable. But in their never-ending pursuit of excellence, the leaders in the refrigeration market presented to consumers a new model of technology - A + and A ++. And now it is it considered the most economical in terms of electricity consumption. But who knows what new wonderful solutions we are preparing for tomorrow? Yes, it's not easy to choose a good refrigerator!
Classification of refrigerators by climate class
And do you know that refrigerators, exceptlevels of power consumption, there are also climatic classes? What is it? All is explained very simply. These classes imply clearly defined design features in the production of refrigerators, allowing the technician to work effectively in particular climatic zones. So, 4 main climatic classes:
- class N - means that the equipment is designed for operation in a normal temperate climatic zone with a temperature range of +16 - + 32 ° C;
- class SN - implies operation in a moderately cold climatic zone with a temperature regime of +10 - + 32 ° C;
- class ST - is optimal for a humid tropical climate with an air temperature of +18 - + 38 ° C and high atmospheric humidity;
- class T - provides operation of equipment in dry tropics and air temperature up to + 43 °
This division makes it possible to chooserefrigerator, the most appropriate to one or another climatic features of the country in which it will work with the greatest impact and the lowest energy costs. Household equipment of all four classes differ from each other in compressor design features, insulation and capacitor characteristics. However, the device of many modern refrigerators provides for a mixed double value of their climate class - SN-ST or N-ST. So manufacturers have significantly expanded the temperature limits of their use.
Every modern refrigerator is a quality compressor!
The main role in this classification, andin general in the work of the refrigerator, his heart is playing - the compressor. On how much this important mechanism is of high quality, both the service life of the equipment and its basic functions depend. It is with the help of the compressor that the coolant (refrigerant or freon) completes its closed cycle inside the hermetic system, thereby cooling the refrigerating chambers. The most common are single-compressor models in which both chambers are cooled simultaneously. Although, if there are two independent cooling circuits in their compressor, the temperature regime in both chambers can be different. Having opened the door of one compartment, you can be sure that in another temperature will remain unchanged - this helps to save electricity. Single-compressor refrigerators of this type are represented by the brands Liebherr, Bosch, Siemens. In the two-compressor models, not only the different temperatures of the cameras are envisaged, but also their independent work. Such a refrigerator is convenient to defrost, because there is no need to worry about the safety of food in the refrigerator. But if there is a breakdown of one of the compressors, then repair of this model can cost much more than repairing one-compressor. If hot air gets into the refrigerator chambers, when we open and close the doors in it, the temperature rises there. This can not but affect the safety of products. That's why it's just necessary that the temperature in the chambers instantly return to the initial values. To this end, the manufacturers of refrigerators have developed three main cooling and defrosting systems:
- static;
- ventilated;
- no frost, that is, without frost.
Static system, with the so-called "cryingwall ", we know well, because the ice that forms on the back of the inside of the refrigerator when the compressor is running, are quite visible and palpable. When the compressor stops, the hardened crystals turn into droplets and drain into the drain, then into a special container and are already evaporated there by the cooling element of the chamber. Such a defrosting system is called a dropping system. There are a lot of refrigerators with it, and the price for them is relatively low. In a ventilated, or dynamic system, cooling and defrosting take place better by the fan. It is at the top of the system design and operates in such a way that air passes along the evaporator on the rear wall of the refrigerator. Both the compressor and the fan function synchronously. The movement of air along the back wall improves the heat exchange between it and the flowing streams. In a number of models, heat transfer is accelerated by the fact that air moves along the heat exchange surface itself. It is sucked from the chambers and enters the evaporator, which is already an independent element of the refrigeration design. Such models are automatically defrosted, they do not contain condensate, and products are always stored under optimal conditions. The No Frost system is designed in such a way as to prevent the appearance of ice and frost inside the refrigerating and freezing chambers. The essence of her work consists in the timely removal of moisture and condensation in the places intended for this purpose. The No Frost system can be in both the refrigerator chambers and separately in the freezer. Such a technique needs to be thawed only once a year. The Frost Free system provides a complete absence of frost and frost and does not require defrosting at all. And in its improved Fresh Frost Free model, the products are cooled by the dynamic air exchange Multiflow with separate air circulation in the chambers (the so-called TwinTech system). 
And what's in the closet?
To a number less important and influencing more likely oncomfortable operation of the refrigerator, rather than its technical parameters and quality, making up the right choice, of course, it is necessary to relate how it looks from the inside than its cameras are equipped. After all, any hostess wants the maximum convenience and simplicity in the use of household appliances. So, what can we see right away, opening the refrigerator door:
- all sorts of shelves made of plastic, special glass and even wood (for alcohol);
- retractable containers;
- ice containers;
- egg boxes;
- compartments for instant freezing;
- shelves on the doors;
- boxes for storing vegetables and fruits;
- built-in light bulbs providing illumination.
All this is a standard set of internal equipmentrefrigerators. It can be better or worse in quality, but in principle it is basic for most inexpensive and medium-priced options. More expensive models can additionally be equipped with an "open door" sensor, an integrated monitor for easy operation, a TV or a music player. The same package, invisible to the buyer's eye, can include an independent battery that works in the event of an emergency power outage or a breakdown in the refrigerator itself. Such a power source will provide the products with safety and help to speed up the process of freezing in the chambers. Also a very pleasant and superfluous addition to the basic equipment will be the antibacterial coating of the refrigerator with silver ions. It will help prevent the propagation of harmful microorganisms in products, leading to food spoilage and the appearance of unpleasant odors. Also, the alarm system, which will notify the owner in time about an undesirable change in temperature indicators in the chambers, or will notify if an emergency shutdown of the refrigerator occurs, also does not interfere. There is also such a function as automatic formation of food ice and many other options that affect the price, but do not change the quality of household appliances.
Controlling the refrigerator, opening the doors and installation features
A modern refrigerating cabinet can havemechanical or electronic control. In the first case, the level of cooling required and specified by this model is adjusted manually, using a thermostat. Precise temperature modes can not be set with this type of control. The electronic system can be equipped with a remote control. If it is available, temperature values are set with maximum accuracy. Increasingly, there are models of refrigerators, which allow you to outweigh the doors on a side convenient for deployment and operation. There were also options with a two-way opening of doors from the company Sharp. Such a wonderful function is called Dual Swing Door and is in the models of the SJ-WM and SJ-WP series. Move the fridge allows special rollers. They are placed behind and are not visible, because the technique itself is on adjustable legs. If you need to move or rearrange the refrigerator, then when tilting back it can be easily moved in the desired direction. With the main characteristics, perhaps, figured out. Let's try to clarify the question of what options exist today in specialized stores and on the Internet. And there is a choice from what - prices and design are presented for every taste and purse. Budget models produce such trademarks as Nord, Atlant, Beko. Companies Samsung and LG also have in their model line several economic offers. But in the mid-price category, the Korean company LG provides an opportunity for a wider choice. Also well represented here are refrigerators of the Slovenian brand Gorenje. Many buyers of home appliances appreciated the design and build quality offered by this brand of models. The most expensive are Side-by-Side refrigerators, regardless of the manufacturer, since they are the most technologically advanced, capacious and functional. Separately, it is worth mentioning about special design lines for the production of equipment. Here it is worth noting the Pininfarina model and the very interesting series Retro from the point of view of the classic interior. Producers thus try to adapt their equipment to any, not only modern, interior. This desire is also different brands such as Toshiba, Zanussi, Whirlpool. Here, probably, and all the important points, which are better to pay attention in the matter of how to choose a refrigerator. It remains only to add something: first determine the amount of money you are willing to spend on this acquisition. Then think about the dimensions and the necessary characteristics of the model. A family of two or four people is quite suitable refrigerator with a volume of up to 300 liters. If there are more family members, then a refrigerator cabinet is also needed. It is also important to compare the size of the cameras: if your family has fans of compotes of frozen berries and fruits, give preference to the model with a large freezer. Do you want to save electricity? Choose a technique not lower than class A, but do not forget that the rear of any refrigerator should have space for good ventilation. This will not only save electricity, but will also significantly extend the life of your refrigeration equipment. The question of the guarantee for the purchased equipment is also worth discussing at the very beginning, and not on the fact of acquisition. Do not forget to find out on whose shoulders the transportation of equipment to the service center will lie, if suddenly there is a breakdown during the warranty period. Remember, in order not to buy a "cat in a poke," go to the question of how to choose a refrigerator, without fuss and haste, deliberately and seriously. Then there are all chances that this technique will last a long time and will be useful to you and your relatives all the time. We advise you to read:
