Are You Looking For An Energy-Efficient Fridge With Bottom Freezer?
Lots of people have a single fridge-freezer unit in their homes rather than having a separate fridge and freezer. Are they a good idea from energy usage and running cost perspectives?
The New Zealand government energy advice website, energywise.govt.nz has assessed over 200 fridge-freezers to look at their energy consumption and running costs. These are for units with the freezer part on the bottom.
Best Energy-Rating Fridge Freezers
The top six models according to EECA are all LG fridge-freezers.
LG GB-W450UPLX
LG fridge freezer
Annual running cost$ 75
Annual energy consumption kWh 299
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 155
Total fridge volume L 295
Total volume L 450
After the LG models there are three Electrolux including this one:-
ELECTROLUX EBE5367S
Annual running cost$ 81
Annual energy consumption kWh 323
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 167
Total fridge volume L 362
Total volume L 529
The third-positioned brand was Mitsubishi with the:-
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MR-LX630EM-GSL-A
Annual running cost$ 98
Annual energy consumption kWh 390
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 297
Total fridge volume L 333
Total volume L 630
Electrolux and LG both have very good ranges of energy-efficient fridge-freezers. Between them, they hold the top nine positions and each model has a 4.5-star rating. You can see more details here, energy-efficient fridge-freezers, bottom freezer.
Least Energy-Efficient Fridge-Freezers
Below are three of the least efficient units.
The Fisher and Paykel unit has a 1.5 energy-star rating as does the Gorenje. The Beko model has a 2-star rating.
FISHER & PAYKEL E402BRXFDU
Annual running cost$ 151
Annual energy consumption kWh 602
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 123
Total fridge volume L 280
Total volume L 403
GORENJE NRKI5181LW
Annual running cost$ 116
Annual energy consumption kWh 463
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 75
Total fridge volume L 203
Total volume L 278
BEKO BBM229W
Annual running cost$ 103
Annual energy consumption kWh 411
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 88
Total fridge volume L 141
Total volume L 229
Lowest Annual Running Cost Fridge-Freezers (Bottom Freezer)
If you are concerned about the total running costs, you might want to consider these units as they have the lowest annual running costs according to Energy Wise.
SUB-ZERO ICBID-30CI
Sub Zero fridge freezer
Annual running cost$ 68
Annual energy consumption kWh 273
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 39
Total fridge volume L 58
Total volume L 97
This is an integrated unit meaning that it integrates with your counter-top and cupboard. It goes underneath the bench-top.
There are then four LG models and an Electrolux including the:-
LG GB-310RWL
Annual running cost$ 71
Annual energy consumption kWh 282
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 123
Total fridge volume L 187
Total volume L 310
ELECTROLUX EBE4507S
Annual running cost$ 74
Annual energy consumption kWh 297
Configuration Fridge/freezer – bottom freezer
Total freezer volume L 142
Total fridge volume L 311
Total volume L 453
LG in fact has ten of the top 12 fridge and bottom freezers measured by annual running cost.
Summary
Electrolux and LG brands have good efficiency and low annual running costs so if those are important criteria for you, looking at those two brands might be what you need.
For any repairs or servicing, you can find a local appliance repair company like Lower Hutt appliance repairs or Petone appliance repairs when you search by town or postcode on this directory website. NZ Appliance Repairs.