Both new home buyers and long-time home owners may have the need to buy a refrigerator sometime during their ownership experience. What are the things that you should be looking for? What features will be most important to you in the long run? What size do you need? Is it really necessary to get the most energy efficient model? What kind of shelves should you pick? Everyone in our society needs a refrigerator. However, there are also many things to decide when you are making a purchase of this magnitude.

Basic Guide To Help You Through The Process:

Finances: This is one of the most important considerations when you are buying a new refrigerator. You should know before you walk into the store what you can afford and then stick to it. Take a look at ads and also consumer magazines to find out what the general price range is for the type of fridge that you are looking for. Figure in any special features like an ice maker, a custom color, or an in door water and ice dispenser.

Your Needs: Are you buying the refrigerator for your new gourmet kitchen or is it for your child heading off to the dorm? Do you have young children who will need to get into the fridge to get drinks and snacks? Are you going to want something that can hold large party trays and has big vegetable and fruit bins? Is shelving that can be removed easily important to you? Does it need to have an easy-to-clean surface? Before you head out to buy the refrigerator, make a list of what your needs and wants are, so that you can be prepared before you talk to the sales person.

The Basics: There are basically three types of fridges on the market today-side by side, top-bottom, and built-in. All of these refer to the positioning of the refrigerator and the freezer. The least common today is the built-in type with the freezer in a compartment inside the fridge and a custom made front. The top-bottom orientation can have the freezer on the top or the bottom. If you have trouble bending over, put whatever part of the fridge you access the most on the top. The side by side has a freezer and a refrigerator compartment that are about the same size. All of these types usually have models that come with in-door water and ice dispensers and/or ice-makers.

The Size: For a dorm room the refrigerator should obviously be quite small. Fridges are usually measured in cubic feet. The smallest models are usually only 7 to 9 cubic feet in size, while the extra large models are 20 to 29 cubic feet in size. Before you sign the papers, or put down the cash to buy any refrigerator, take measurements to make sure that it will fit in the space that you have set aside. You may not want to remodel your kitchen just to fit your new appliance. Measure the height as well. Check for any walls or other things that may get in the way of the doors-although you can sometimes choose which way the fridge opens with the top-bottom and built-in models.

Those Little Extras: If you want an in-door ice maker or a chrome finish on your fridge you may have to plan on paying a little extra. You can also choose from shelves that are wire or glass, shelving that can be moved around and reconfigured to your needs, and many other features. Give yourself some time and shop around for the best deals to get the fridge of your dreams.