ResearchWhen it’s Time to Buy a New Refrigerator
Ask anyone that has purchased a refrigerator, and they’ll tell you that it is an exciting purchase. While a refrigerator is typically something that we take for granted, it is a huge investment for the home. Because a refrigerator is a big investment, it is a purchase that must be given a lot of thought. A refrigerator is not something that you should rush into buying; of course, if your current fridge is not working well you may need to buy it faster than you would otherwise. But, before you run out and buy a new fridge, think about what you need and what you would like and then apply that to what you can afford.
Start With Size
Many consumers are surprised that refrigerators actually come in a large variety of sizes and shapes. Most refrigerators are measured in cubic feet, and the smaller the measurement, the smaller the fridge is. The measurement refers to the space that is actually on the inside of the refrigerator. Some of the smallest refrigerators measure about 18 cubic feet while big fridges for a family measure more than 28 cubic feet. Deciding how much space you need will be the first step in choosing which refrigerator you should buy.
If you are single and you don’t have a lot of company or host a lot of parties, you’ll find that a 22 cubic inch is plenty of space for you. You’ll still have a freezer, adjustable shelves, and even crisper drawers depending on the model of refrigerator that you are dealing with. Many families actually find that with the smartly planned refrigerators you can get away with something smaller than you might think. If you have a really big family you’ll probably want to upgrade to a 28 cubic foot, so you’ll have plenty of storage room in the freezer as well as in the refrigerator.
How Much Space Do You Have?
Not only do you have to consider how much space you need to store food, you need to think about how much space you have in your kitchen. When many homes were built the builder did not leave enough space for the massive appliances that are sold today, so you may only be able to buy a 22 cubic foot refrigerator, despite your desire for something bigger. If your home doesn’t restrict you from buying the size you want, then you can go as big or as small as you want without it looking odd or out of place.
How Much Can You Spend?
Now that you’ve determined what size refrigerator you would like to buy and what can fit in your home, you need to determine how much you can afford to spend on it! 19 cubic feet models will cost you anywhere from $400-$600, 22 cubic feet models will run between $900-$1,100, and if you are looking at something bigger, like a 26 cubic foot model you can expect to pay upwards of $1,200! As you can see, refrigerators are not cheap, so a lot of thought must be put into which model you will buy.
When you consider all of the things that will help you decide what refrigerator will work for you, your home, and your financial status, it’s time to start thinking about warranties, which retailer offers the best prices, and even if there are retailers that will offer interest free financing so that you can pay for your new fridge over time instead of coming up with all of the money upfront.
As tempting as it may be to run out and buy the first cheap refrigerator that you see, that is not the way to go about it. You really need to think about what you need, and then buy accordingly. Make sure to ask the retailer all of the questions upfront about the product so that you are sure it is something worth investing in.