Listed by importance.
*Large door shelves that can be adjusted. One type of shelf, for example, is just the right size for two half-gallons of milk or juice.
* Glass rather than wire shelves with spill-catching lips.
* Leveling legs to make the unit perfectly plumb and stable.
* Ice/water dispenser. Some are tall enough to accommodate pitchers, and many have water filters. Ice can be ordered crushed or cubed. This feature has long been available in side-by-sides; now it’s available in some top-mount models.
* Refreshment center. This little door provides easy access to frequently used items.
* Customized temperature control for different areas—for example, the deli drawer, crispers, butter compartment.
* Shelves that pull out, fold up and down, or roll up and down (called elevator shelves).
* Racks that dispense pop cans or hold wine bottles.
* In the freezer section, glide-out baskets and shelves, as well as storage space specially sized for large items.
* A freezer light.
* See-through compartment doors.
Refrigerator & Freezer Repairs
Next to air-conditioning and heating, a refrigerator is the largest user of electricity in a home. If you have an old refrigerator, a new model likely will pay for itself in a few years. To make your refrigerator even more efficient, follow these simple tips:
* Develop quick in-and-out habits. Resist the urge to stand and peruse the possibilities with the door open, and enjoin the rest of your family to do the same.
* Lower the freezer and raise the fridge settings. The lowest you should go for the freezer is 0 degrees; the highest you should go for the fridge is 38 degrees.
* Check for a tight door seal. A piece of paper should stay snug in the door when closed, even if you tug it. If it slips out easily, replace the gasket.
* Make sure the condenser doesn’t have to deal with dust bunnies. Most condensers are near the floor; remove the coverplate and vacuum all around the bottom of your fridge a few times a year.
* Keep a full freezer, which makes it easy to keep new items cold. The same is not the case, though, with a full refrigerator, which forces the motor to run all the time. |
