So, you’re looking for a new refrigerator. Something simple; something that will hold your groceries, keep your food fresh, not kill your energy bill, and maybe even look good. Shouldn’t be too hard to find one, right?

With so many choices and so many features out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Do you need a 3-door or 5-door refrigerator, a smart fridge with a water dispenser, one with a camera? Yes, fridges have cameras now!

But let’s forget about the bells and whistles. What you really need is something reliable. Something that works for you. Something you can trust. After all, you’re buying something for your kitchen, not a mission to Mars.

We’ve got you covered. Keep these 4 things in mind, and I promise you, you’ll get the fridge you need.

SIZE

Size is number one on this list for a reason. If your new fridge won’t fit in your kitchen, you can’t use it. So grab your measuring tape and get your available dimensions before you buy.

As you measure your opening keep in mind that refrigerator heights vary, but widths come standard at 24, 30, 33 and 36 inches. Some manufacturers will offer a few different dimensions, but for 98% of the people out there, these are your go-tos.

In freestanding fridges, you’ve got two depth options in Standard or Counter-Depth. A standard depth refrigerator will be approximately 30″ deep and stand proud of your counter about 6″. Like its name, a counter-depth fridge will be more flush to your cabinets as only the door stands proud making them perfect for tighter spaces.

These instructions from Whirlpool will help you measure everything that you need to Refrigerator sizes: the guide to measuring for fit.

CAPACITY

With your dimensions sorted, you’ll want to maximize the amount of food you can store. In refrigerators, that storage space is measured by capacity. Simply put, a smaller capacity fridge will hold less food than a larger capacity one.

Different refrigerator styles have different capacities too, so keep that in mind when you’re considering the look you want.

As a general rule though, budget 4 – 6 cubic feet for each adult in your home.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy savings are important. Energy Star Certified refrigerators (as well as many other certified appliances) help mother earth, and they help your wallet too. Current fridges are at least 9% more energy efficient than previous generations and simple things like properly setting the internal temperature and making sure there’s room to vent around the fridge will get you the most energy savings for your buck.

Style matters and larger fridges will typically consume more energy than smaller ones, in terms of pure efficiency though you’ll get the best balance of energy-saving and performance in the 16 – 20 cubic foot range.

FINISHES

For a high-end commercial look, stainless steel remains the most popular refrigerator finish you can buy. Smudges and fingerprints are still a drawback, but with more brands introducing fingerprint-resistant finishes, stainless steel is easier to clean than ever before.

Bouncing off that popularity, manufacturers have brought a number of stainless steel colours to market from black to bronze, and traditional whites and blacks still have an incredible appeal in the right kitchen.

Whatever your kitchen just remember, when it comes to refrigerators Size, Capacity, Energy, and Colour are all you need to get started. Come on down to our store to find your perfect family fridge today.

Want to know more on How to Buy a Refrigerator? Read our Refrigerator Buying Guide.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert