Shopping for refrigerators side by side isn't a difficult process; you just need
to keep a few things in mind. Our goal is to help you by providing the information you need when shopping for
refrigerator to help you make an informed buying decision.
There are two basic types of refrigerators on the market today, one is the side by
side model and the other is the traditional model with the refrigerator stacked either on top of or below the
freezer. One advantage that the side by side models have is that they will usually offer extra capacity – they tend
to be larger units.
For some people the ability to access both the frozen foods and your other
non-frozen items at the same level is a convenience. With a traditional stacked unit you have to decide you want to
have your frozen foods at eye level or stored up top. The side by side design allows you to store the most
frequently accessed, whether it’s frozen or not- at eye level for easy access.
A disadvantage of the side by side unit is that they generally require more energy
to operate. If you are looking for the most energy efficient operation a stacked option may be a better choice.
Side by side units also tend to require a bit more space, so if you’re worried about space this may not be the best
choice. And finally, the refrigerator side by side is likely going to be a bit more expensive than the comparable
stacked version.
Before you begin
shopping online you need to make four decisions to make the task easier
Budget- What is
your budget? You will find a wide variety of prices depending on what you’re looking for? The options that
you decie on will significantly impact the proce you pay.
Space- How much
space do you have available - and what shape. A side by side model will require a bit mor space than a stacked
model. Take a few measurements before you begin shopping and compare those to the specs.
Color- What
color do you want - Manuafacturers today provide a standard set taht includes beige, white, black, and
stainless steel but black and other colors are available? How about a refrigerators side by side that
featires your favorite team’s colors? There are a number of paint and finish options available
depending on your personal preferences, You do nooed to consider the other colors already in your kitchen to
make sure you refrigerator is in a complementary color.
Options- You also
should consider what options you want. One thing to keep in mind is that options can be surprisingly expensive
when you compare the price of the option to the base cost of the refrigerator.
Is Energy Efficiency Important?
With the cost of energy continuing to increase, energy efficiency is becoming a
more important factor whne purchasing appliances. Make sure you look for the ENERGY STAR
label.To find out how much your freezer or refrigerator costs to operate
annually and how much you might just click hereEnergy Star. ENERGY STAR qualified
refrigerators are required by the U.S. Department of Energy to use 20% less energy than models not labeled with the
ENERGY STAR logo.
Warranties - Standard or Extended
Most manufacturers today provide a basic warranty that covers one year of parts and labor and
five years for the sealed refrigerator system. You also usually also have the option to purchase an extended
warranty plan at the time of purchase. However, refrigerators today are normally very reliable and well
made. If your considering purchasing this option you may want to consider this advice
fromJ.D. Power and Associates Reports: High Reliability of Major Home Appliances May
Reduce Need for Extended Warranties:
"Extended warranties certainly provide a degree of peace of mind," said Dale Haines, senior director of the
real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "With some appliances — particularly
those with complex electronics and potentially high repair costs — purchasing an extended warranty may make sense.
However, major appliances tend to be very reliable, and consumers should consider very carefully — depending
upon their circumstances — whether an extended warranty is worth the additional cost."
Refrigerators Side by
Side - Top Manufacturers and
Models
If you have shopped
for refrigerators then you will recognize most manufacturers’ names that we feature. All are all
well known for providing reliable well designed modern looking appliances that provide good value for
your money. Just follow the links to our comments, specs and reviews for these top models: