Refrigerators are among the must-have appliances in every household. Not only are they good for keeping your ice cream frozen; they’re also good for keeping your food safe. The refrigeration market continues to be driven by consumers’ increasing buying power and disposable income, as well as the rising demand for advanced features and sustainability.
Generally, refrigerators are designed to last up to 13 years. By the time your fridge has reached that mark or is at least nearing it, it’s bound to show some signs of wear and tear. Even if there are several refrigerator repair centers in Salt Lake City, having it repaired is not always the best idea.
So if you’re planning to visit an appliance store near you soon, here’s a sneak peek of the latest trends and developments that are revolutionizing the way your trusty icebox works:
Sleek and Fancy Finishes
In the appliance industry, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines are collectively known as white goods because of their apparent color. Back in the days, color variants for refrigerators were limited to shades of white. Now, more colors and finishes are available: stainless steel, black stainless steel, and glass, to name a few. With a variety of options to choose from, it’s easier for homeowners to integrate fridges into their kitchen interiors fashionably.
More Doors, More Compartments
Adding more doors and multi-functional compartments to fridges continues to be a growing trend. French doors have been gaining popularity these days. From three doors, recent some models now come in five or even six openings—usually in a combination of two conventional doors, two to three pull-out drawers, and a bottom freezer drawer. Other brands have also come up with door-in-door designs, which utilize a hidden compartment behind an existing panel.
Smart Features
Nowadays, smart refrigerators are also a thing. These incredibly work almost the same way as your other smart devices—with the added storage function, of course. Although features can differ per brand and model, here are what you’ll most likely get: a touchscreen interface, Internet connectivity, built-in cameras, recipe suggestions, and more.
Energy Efficiency
Operating non-stop 24 hours a day and seven days a week, fridges account for a considerable percentage of your household’s energy consumption. To help minimize this, most refrigerators are now equipped with an inverter compressor. Unlike conventional refrigerators, inverter refrigerators run at a variable speed to maintain an optimal internal temperature. This enables it to skip the entire on-off cycle that traditional fridges undergo. Thus, inverter ones are more energy-efficient, produce less noise, and keep your food fresh.
Eco-friendliness
Refrigerators are known to have negative impacts on the environment because of the harmful substances found in refrigerants. Back then, refrigerants consist mainly of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These are ozone-depleting substances that contribute to global warming and climate change. The government has then mandated the phaseout of these refrigerants. At present, refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential are widely used, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the form of R134a, and hydrocarbons (HCs) in the form of R600a.
With the advent of technology, what used to be a boring appliance has now become an interactive one. Refrigerators will always be an integral part of every household. Thus, it’s always exciting to see how manufacturers and appliance brands come up with unique and innovative ways to address the simple demand of consumers for food cooling and storage—while integrating design, functionality, energy efficiency, and most importantly, sustainability.
