Freezers have been an essential part of every home since they first appeared in more or less modern form during the research of the German engineer Carl von Linde between 1873 and 1877.
Even centuries prior to this, food has been one of the only effective ways to preserve it for long periods of time, and the process is often critical to human survival.
In modern times, we tend to think of freezers more as a convenience than a necessity, but when they fail us, we are immediately faced with a very real and urgent dilemma. So here's a short guide on how to shop for a new refrigerator and when to buy one.
The first thing to remember is that while they don't have an "expiration date," most freezers are expected to last around 10 years. If your refrigerator is nearing this date, you should be aware that it may be time to get ready to look for a new one.
Simply the surest way to know about your refrigerator is if it no longer freezes your food, so you can anticipate the need for replacement.
When the time comes and you find yourself in need of a new freezer hoping to survive for the next 10 years, there are a few things to consider
.
First, you should remember that while used freezers may be more affordable, they are generally less popular for two key reasons. First, of course, when they reach your hands, they will have a shorter-than-average lifespan. Secondly, newer freezers are more energy efficient - buying a freezer that is more than 5 years old
is bad for you in the long run.
But if falling freezer prices are a major concern for you, fear not. There are more ways to achieve this than just buying second hand. For one thing, sacrificing a bit of space will cut your cost in half in the long run, and probably in the short run as well, and there are certainly plenty of capable mini-fridges on the market.
If you already own a refrigerator and aren't in the market for a new one, as a last resort to try to maximize your savings, you can resort to the controversial "freezer freezer" tactic—that is, fill all the Empty spaces in the refrigerator are filled to save energy. The idea is that the less air there is in the refrigerator, the less time and energy it takes for the compressor to keep it cool, and as a result, the refrigerator uses less electricity.
Freezer clogging hasn't been scientifically proven, but your energy bill should show evidence of its effects within a few months.
