In a lot of homes across India, refrigerator is among the top 3 appliances that consume a large chunk of energy. For this very reason, current technology adheres to very strict guidelines and prioritises energy efficiency.
Since their inception, refrigerators are the hardest workers in a home. They are the only appliances that run 24/7 and only power down during a blackout. Naturally, to sustain such function consistently it is safe to assume that these machines a lot of energy.
Single door refrigerators of the ‘80s consumed 75% more energy than modern models and with every year, the amount used decreases. This is why it is recommended that you change your refrigerator every 8-10 years. Refrigerator technology has also become a lot smarter by employing digital sensors to automatically control power consumption.
Different classifications of refrigerators cater to different needs, but energy efficiency is sought after across the board. If you’re considering purchasing a new refrigerator or upgrading your old one, here’s a list of some of the parameters you should consider when buying a refrigerator that can help you save on energy.
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Higher BEE Star ratings
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency rating tells you the energy efficiency of a refrigerator. These units are rated from 1 star to 5 stars and those with a higher rating have better energy efficiency.
Over the last few years, the technology used in fridges has improved drastically, as fridges that were rated 5 stars in 2014 are given a 3 star rating in 2019. The leap of energy efficiency is one that you should be mindful about especially if you’re looking to be conservative in terms of your appliances.
Newer models of refrigerators, be it double door fridges or single door fridges, are designed to deliver the best of features with energy efficiency as its USP. Take advantage of this and get yourself a refrigerator that saves you more money than your current one does.
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Cooling mode options based on usage
Cooling in a refrigerator is a function that varies basis your needs. A common practice in the older models of fridges used to be round-the-clock cooling. This is highly inefficient as not every part of the fridge requires staying completely chilled all the time.
New models in the market give you the option to select a wide range of modes. Set your refrigerator to these modes and experience optimised cooling. This way, you can make your fridge work efficiently while applying the least amount of stress on the unit.
For example, the Extra Fridge mode is one that turns the freezer into a refrigerator. This is extremely economical and useful for when you have no items that require a lower temperature. Another extremely economical mode is the Home Alone Mode.
This mode turns all the compartments off and just keeps the top most compartments active, effectively turning your refrigerator into a mini-fridge. This way, based on your requirements, you can switch between the modes to reduce the cooling or increase it if need be.
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Blackout contingencies and insulated walling
India experiences a lot of power cuts and fluctuations. In light of that, the newer models come equipped with blackout contingencies. These are extremely important as having a fridge shutdown raises the temperature inside it significantly.
Then you need a significant amount of energy to cool it back, whenever the power comes back. To curb that expenditure of energy, newer fridges come equipped with insulated walling, which traps the cool air inside maintaining the temperature for several hours after a breakdown.
Some fridges even have the ‘Cool Pack’ technology that is a cooling gel designed for these specific scenarios. These lower the overall temperature of the environment they’re placed in and is a beautiful compliment to the insulated walling technology.
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LEDs lights for additional energy efficiency
The latest refrigerators have done away with the power-hungry bulbs to replace them with the more energy-efficient LED lights. These LED lights match the lighting provided by the bulbs, but the heat they emit is 10 times lesser and they are significantly smaller in size also.
The heating component is one to focus on, as any change in temperature in a refrigerator causes it to use more energy to bring the temperature back to normal.
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Digital inverter compressor technology
A digital inverter compressor is the new-age technology designed to replace the old conventional compressors. The earlier compressors would have just two modes, either ‘on’ or ‘off’ and would function at peak load when turned on. This was extremely energy inefficient as even during the winter when the cooling needs were not as high; the refrigerators would have to operate at max load.
Also Read: Best Double Door Refrigerator in India
Samsung, for instance, has equipped its top-of-the-line refrigerators with a smart digital inverter that has 7 adjustable speeds. These automatically switch depending on the need and almost never run the compressor at max load. A highly efficient module this technology has revolutionised the refrigerator.
With every passing year, the technology evolves and you deserve to enjoy that evolution. But shopping for the latest refrigerators with the best features can be expensive. To ease the stress on your finances, you can turn these high-ticket purchases into easy No Cost EMIs. Make sure to check your pre-approved offer for tailored EMI financing options and gain access to other financial solutions such as loans and insurance in a jiffy!
