A fridge needs to fit both your food-shopping routine and the available kitchen space. Capacity is useful to compare, but door clearance, the internal layout and the route into your home can decide whether a model is practical.
Our regular fridge brands
Our fridge range includes Westinghouse, LG, Hisense, TCL, Fisher & Paykel, Haier and CHiQ. The best fit often comes down to the layout inside: where your everyday groceries will go and how easily you can reach them. The TCL fridges below are examples of two layouts, rather than the whole range.
Bottom mount and everyday access
The TCL TRF440BHB 412-litre bottom-mount fridge puts the fridge section above the freezer. It also includes a variable-temperature compartment, giving you another storage area to consider.
The foods you reach for most often and the amount of freezer storage you use help decide which layout feels practical. Two fridges with similar litres can feel quite different once you put your usual groceries inside.
French doors and opening space
The TCL TRF495FHB 496-litre French-door fridge offers a different door arrangement and a larger listed total capacity. Its non-plumbed water dispenser is useful to consider if you want chilled water without a permanent water connection.
A French-door design still needs space for the doors and drawers to open properly. A fridge beside a wall may need extra clearance for its doors to open far enough, so the manufacturer’s installation dimensions matter here.
How much will it cost to run?
A fridge runs all day, so its energy rating is worth paying attention to, even when two models have similar features. Energy stars help compare the efficiency of fridges with similar capacity and layout. The kWh-per-year figure on the label estimates how much electricity the fridge uses in a year under standard test conditions. A lower figure means less electricity used.
For example, at an electricity rate of 35 cents per kWh, a fridge rated at 400kWh per year would cost about $140 a year to run. One rated at 500kWh would cost about $175, a difference of $35 a year. Your electricity rate and conditions at home will affect the actual cost. The Energy Rating Calculator can help compare models using your electricity rate.
Will your usual groceries fit comfortably?
A bigger total capacity isn’t much help if most of the extra room is in the fridge and you’re always short of freezer space. Wide platters, tall bottles and your usual frozen-food supplies all need usable space. You’ll also want enough door clearance to pull the drawers out properly, especially if the fridge sits beside a wall.
A refillable tank and a plumbed dispenser involve different upkeep. Filter requirements and replacement costs depend on the exact model. Shelves and drawers that are easy to remove make spills much easier to deal with. These questions can reveal differences that a capacity number misses.
The range at Delacey’s
Browse our Fridges & Freezers range online, then visit Delacey’s at 40B George Street, Bowen, or email sales@bowenbirite.com.au for help. The featured products are local pickup items.
For delivery arrangements within 10 km of Bowen, contact the store before ordering. See our local delivery and services page for details.