Before buying a refrigerator, there are several factors to consider. On this page, we have provided information to help you buy the right refrigerator. What follows is a guide to buying a refrigerator or freezer that will last for many years.
Refrigerators are usually a long-term or medium-term investment. Most Refrigerators are used for more than five years; hence, adequate care must be taken before buying one.
Here is what to consider before you buy a refrigerator:
What Use (Home or Commercial)
You need to determine the use of the refrigerator. Will it be used in a home setting or for commercial purposes? If the fridge will be used in a home, for example, is it going to serve as the main refrigerator, or will it be for private use? The former will often be larger than the latter.
Clarifying how you use the refrigerator will help you later determine the capacity, style, or model. In addition, if you live alone or are a student, you should buy a compact refrigerator (usually single door).
Where will it be positioned?
While considering the use of the refrigerator, you also need to decide where the refrigerator will be placed (bedroom, living room, kitchen, private office, general area).
You should also ensure that there is adequate space for the refrigerator. For example, it is recommended that you leave at least 7.5cm (about 3 inches) of space in the top, sides, and back of the refrigerator.
When considering available space, make sure there is enough allowance for the free movement of the refrigerator doors.
The most appropriate location to place a family refrigerator is in the kitchen or in a readily accessible point in the house. Locating it in a bedroom may cause the invasion of someone’s privacy. Only personal compact refrigerators should be placed in bedrooms.
What Type, Style, or Model
Refrigerators come in different styles, types, and models, with the traditional top freezer style being the most cost-effective and most popular in homes. However, there are also stylish French-door refrigerators and side-by-side refrigerators.
A refrigerator usually consists of two types of sections or compartments. The freezer section for freezing food and the refrigerator section for keeping food fresh and your drinks chilled. The various refrigerator styles are all about how the two compartments are configured.
Here are some of the most popular Refrigerator types and styles:
1. Top Freezer Refrigerator
The Top freezer refrigerator style (a.k.a. Top-Mount Refrigerator) is the most popular in homes. They are usually smaller than the French door style and side-by-side refrigerators and are also lower in price.
These refrigerators have two compartments, each with a separate door, with the freezer compartment on top.
Top freezer refrigerators come in varying capacities from as little as 53 litres for the compact models to as high as 700 litres for bigger models. Some high-end models may also offer a built-in water and/or ice dispenser.
Prices of top freezer refrigerators range from 150,000 Naira to 2,500,000 Naira in Nigeria, depending on the storage capacity of the refrigerator.
2. Bottom Freezer Refrigerators
The bottom freezer style is similar to the top freezer model except that the freezer compartment is in the bottom. Choosing between a bottom and a top freezer depends on preferences. However, bottom freezer designs usually cost more and are not as easily available as the top freezer style.
The price for a bottom-mount freezer ranges from 310,000 Naira to 1,290,000 Naira.
3. Compact Refrigerators
If you are single or a student, you may not need to buy a full-sized refrigerator. A compact refrigerator might just be what you need. The capacities of compact refrigerators range from as little as 40 litres to up to 200 litres.
Compact refrigerators usually have a single door for accessing both the refrigerator and freezer sections, but two-door models are also available. Prices range from 113,999 Naira to 350,000 Naira.
There are also ultra-portable mini coolers with capacities as little as 5 litres selling for as little as 75,000 Naira.
4. Side-by-Side Refrigerator
A side-by-side refrigerator, as the name implies, offers two doors side-by-side. One door opens the freezer while the other opens the refrigerator side for cooling your food and drinks.
Side-by-side refrigerators are very stylish and fashionable, and can add to the decoration in your kitchen. They also come in bigger capacities, usually above 450 litres, with prices ranging from 750,000 Naira to 5,700,000 Naira. Some models also offer water and ice dispensers.
Side-by-side refrigerators are great for large family sizes, and if you can handle the cost.
5. French Door Refrigerators
French door refrigerators look quite similar to side-by-side refrigerators. In fact, a French door refrigerator also has side-by-side doors; however, both doors open the refrigerator sections, while the side-by-side refrigerator offers a refrigerator on one side and a freezer on the other side.
The freezer compartment for a French door refrigerator is located on the bottom and consists of one or two bottom freezer drawers. French door refrigerators are available in similar capacities as side-by-side refrigerators, but are pricier.
Prices can range from around 650,000 Naira to over 4.5 million Naira. French door refrigerators are great for large families, and if you stock large amounts of food, like monthly.
6. Coolers or All-Refrigerator Style
Sometimes you do not need a freezer. All you need is a refrigerator to keep your drinks and beverages cold. This is where coolers or all-refrigerator design comes in. These types of refrigerators offer no freezer, or may operate in refrigeration or freezing mode depending on the setting.
They make sense in offices or in commercial applications, like in restaurants and supermarkets. The showcase model with transparent glass doors that allow customers see the stock in the refrigerator is often found in supermarkets and restaurants.
Having said that, it is also important for you to know that there are compact coolers that you can buy for personal use. These can hold from as few as just one bottle to up to 50 bottles.
Showcase style Refrigerators Prices in Nigeria range from 450,000 Naira to 4,500,000 Naira.
What about a Chest Freezer
Sometimes, you may not actually need a refrigerator, but an all-freezer design. Freezers are recommended if you sell frozen food or for institutions and very large families that require to stock frozen food than will be supported by a standard refrigerator freezer.
They are available as deep freezers (a.k.a. chest freezers) or upright freezers.
What Capacity
Once you are clear about the model or style of refrigerator that you want, you need to determine the capacity you require. A number of factors determine the capacity of the refrigerator that you buy, your life style is one, if you eat out most of the time, your refrigerator capacity will be smaller than a person who usually cooks at home.
Then the size of the family or household is also a factor. Other factors are your energy budget and the amount you are willing to spend on a refrigerator. A refrigerator will be more expensive as the capacity increases. A large family will need a larger refrigerator capacity than a smaller one.
If you buy a larger capacity of refrigerator than you need, you will waste money supplying energy to an almost empty refrigerator and that is not good for the planet. An overly large fridge will also occupy valuable space.
On the other hand if you buy a refrigerator with a smaller capacity than you need. It will always be overcrowded with your stuff. An overcrowded refrigerator will struggle to circulate cool air and will require more time and energy at your cost to cool your items.
The most important measure of a refrigerator’s capacity is its size. It is usually measured in cu ft (cubic feet) or Litres. There are some rules for determining the right size for your refrigerator but common sense is the best rule.
Here is our Refrigerator Capacity Recommendation
For example, a compact refrigerator of capacity 131 litres to 200 liters (4.5 cu ft to 7 cu ft) will be okay for one person, while two persons can use a 270 litres to 340 litres (9 cu ft to 12 cu ft) refrigerator. A family of four can use a fridge of capacity 390 litres to up to 510 litres (13 cu ft to up to 18 cu ft).
Larger families should buy fridges in excess of 510 litres (18 cu ft) with 50 litres to 85 litres (2 cu ft or 3 cu ft) added per additional member of the household.
However, common sense is the best guide in choosing the right capacity for your refrigerator. If you already have a refrigerator and simply want to replace it, you are in a better position to determine whether you need a larger or a smaller refrigerator.
If your current refrigerator is always crowded, then you should go for a much larger size. On the other hand, if it is always empty, then a smaller size should do. In all this, consider future plans (marriage, children, etc).
Your lifestyle is also an important consideration; if you eat out, you need a smaller fridge than normal. On the other hand, if you cook mostly at home, you need a larger fridge than a normal one.
Your stocking pattern is also important. If you buy food on a daily basis or you buy food for storage for a shorter period (say less than a week) then you need a smaller refrigerator. However, if you stock up for weeks or months, a larger fridge will be more appropriate. The key is to use common sense.
The capacity may also restrict the refrigerator style you buy, as different styles are limited to a certain capacity range.
Do you require Cabinet Depth
Cabinet-depth refrigerators are slimmer so that they integrate better with cabinets in your kitchen. A cabinet-depth refrigerator will align perfectly with your kitchen cabinet and not protrude, making your kitchen look neat.
Cabinet depth is all about taste and style. They may be available as a French door refrigerator or a side-by-side refrigerator.
Would you try a Smart Refrigerator
With mobile phones, watches, TVs, and cars going smart, the refrigerator is not going to be left behind. Smart refrigerators come with a lot of cool features that add lots of value to the entire experience.
They come with Wi-Fi and run apps. A smart refrigerator, for example, can inform you when you are out of milk or if the milk in your refrigerator is reaching its expiration date. Some models also support voice control.
Some smart refrigerators also offer built-in cameras that will enable you to remotely see what is inside your fridge via a smartphone. Smart refrigerators are not mainstream yet.
Power Requirement
You should ensure that the refrigerator uses the power supply voltage value that is applicable in your country. In the United States, for example, the power supply is 110V-115V. In the UK, Nigeria, and most African countries, the power supply voltage is 220V-240V.
However, most fridges sold in your country are likely to come with a compatible power supply. This guide is only important if you want to import from another country.
You should determine whether existing power sockets (points) can support the capacity of the refrigerator that you intend to buy. If not, you will need to install a dedicated switch for the fridge.
Refrigerator Brands
There are lots of fridge manufacturers, some with a good reputation. Some brands are more popular than others in some countries. In the US and UK, there are popular brands like Whirlpool, Amana, and Kenmore. These brands are, however, not so popular in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Kenya, and some other countries, refrigerator brands like Haier Thermocool, Samsung, LG, Polystar, Midea, Hisense, Nexus, Scanfrost, Ocean, Skyrun, Bruhm, Newclime, and more are popular.
OTHER FEATURES
Here are some other refrigerator features to consider:
- Television mounted in front
- Dispenser (Water and sometimes Ice)
- Retains Cold temperature after several hours of power failure (like Samsung Inverter Refrigerator)
- Frost-free operation: no build-up of ice (automatic defrost)
- CFC-free refrigerant
- Rust-free cabinet
- Ice maker
- Humidity and temperature control
- Bio air cleaning
- Wheels: For easy movement during maintenance, cleaning, or evacuation
- Bacteria elimination (example Samsung Silver Nano)
- Turbo Cooling
Prices
At this point, you already have a reasonable idea of what you need. The next step is to determine the price. The price of a refrigerator increases as the capacity or the number of features increases. The more you want, the more you pay.
You can check Refrigerator Prices in Nigeria.
You need to do a market survey. Visit our Partner Store to find out the price options available across brands, features, and capacity.
If you are in Nigeria, you can visit our authorised refrigerator dealer list and call or visit the dealer closest to you.
At Jumia Online Store, you will find refrigerators and accessories from world-leading brands. You can compare prices and read feature information of any product at Jumia Online Store. You can also read product reviews. This is great as you get to read the unbiased experience of visitors who recently bought the fridge you intend to buy.
Refrigerator Purchase Financing
You can also determine whether you can get financing for your refrigerator purchase. You can talk to your bank for options available in your location. In countries like the US and the UK, product financing is more common than in countries in Africa, such as Nigeria. However, today, financing is available from most leading banks in Nigeria.
Note that you will pay interest on your purchase. Hence, it is more expensive. But the flexible payment option is very inviting.
Important Notes
Once you are sure of what you want to buy and you have a good idea on price, you can then visit an authorised dealer shop to make your purchase. You may buy from any of the same shops you did your market survey, preferably the one with the best deal.
However, wherever you buy, make sure it is from an authorised dealer shop. An authorised dealer deals directly with the manufacturer and will often offer you a one to three to ten years warranty on the fridge.
The warranty often covers repair or outright replacement of the refrigerator if it develops a fault during the warranty period. The fault must not be due to your carelessness. Warranties are often limited, so clarify what they include and exclude (terms and conditions).
Authorised refrigerator dealers also offer excellent after-sales services. They also offer refrigerator financing. You will gain more by buying from an accredited dealer shop.
That is a wrap. Hope you found our guide on buying a refrigerator useful.
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