Phillips: Consider energy use of fridge

Q: Our old refrigerator just died. What are some tips to keep in mind as we shop for a new one? -- Greta Greenhorn

A: Dear Greta: One good thing about a bad economy is the downswing of prices. Obviously, many, many companies verge on bankruptcy these days so it behooves them to offer as much savings as possible to customers. I can think of no other organization that provides better hints than Consumer Reports so read on, thanks to their superb information.

Absolutely the No. 1 search is for an energy-efficient fridge. Refrigerators today typically use 30 percent less electricity than models built 10 years ago. Moreover, energy costs continue to rise across the country, so you might want to consider this type that doesn't require you to shell out a lot of money each year to operate.

Look for the "Energy Star" label. Products that are certified under Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, have been certified to be energy efficient. Spending a bit more money on an energy efficient model will benefit a customer in the long run.

Since sizes change, be sure to measure the space you have available for your refrigerator. Not only should you measure the height, width and depth of the area you want the new model to fit into, but also take into account the clearances you'll need to open refrigerator doors to remove pans and shelves.

A wonderful feature is the icemaker and/or ice and water dispenser; this spoil-you-silly feature mandates access to a water line from behind the refrigerator for the water connections.

In general, the larger the refrigerator, the more it costs to operate. Additionally, some types are more efficient than others. For example, bottom-freezer refrigerators are most efficient, followed by top-freezer refrigerators.

Side-by-side fridges are the least energy efficient, although they are the most popular type of refrigerator today. (Naturally, buyers need to take into consideration other factors, too; I'm actually in the market myself but because of severe back problems, a bottom-freezer model is out of the question for our household.) Don't assume all fridges come frost-free, either. Ask first.

Consider the capacity of your current refrigerator and how well it fits your groceries before you decide to increase or decrease the size of your model. A good rule of thumb to consider: two people generally need between 16-20 cubic feet of fresh food storage and you probably need to add an extra cubic foot for each additional person in your family (or if it's only the two of you but one or both eat voraciously). Be sure to consider both your frozen and fresh food needs when selecting a particular model.

Most refrigerators come with a basic warranty covering one year parts and labor and five years for the sealed refrigerator system. Yes, you can purchase an extended warranty plan for most refrigerators and freezers -- usually available at the time of purchase -- that will cover them for a longer period of time.

Consumers always ask me if they should purchase extended warranties. Points to consider before buying one include: (1) value of item being purchased; (2) price of extended warranty; (3) length of manufacturer's warranty; and (4) length of extended warranty and date coverage begins. Most experts (and homeowners) agree, however, that appliances tend to break during their first year, making an extended warranty cost-prohibitive. Frankly, I'm of the opinion that if buying one makes you feel better and you can afford it, go for it.

Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper. An expanded version is at www.timesfreepress.com under Local Business. E-mail her at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com