What features should you look for in an American fridge freezer?

Choosing any new appliance can be overwhelming, but when it comes to fridge freezers there's so much choice. If you're going for a full kitchen renovation, there are so many options for you to look at. Do you want to go for integrated or freestanding? Do you want to make a bold statement with an American fridge freezer? Will your fridge freezer be on full display in the kitchen or will you have it elsewhere, hidden away? If you have never considered an American fridge freezer before, here's everything that you need to know.

What is an American style fridge freezer?

American style fridge freezers are also known as ‘side by side fridge freezers’. They are one large appliance that combines both a fridge and a freezer into one unit. Instead of being stacked on top of each other, each compartment (an upright fridge and an upright freezer) is side by side. They can either have two or four doors which open outwards from the middle.

Often taller and wider than standard fridge freezers, they are usually favoured by those who are looking to make a bold statement in their kitchen.

What are the stand out features?

As well as bringing a much more trendy look to your kitchen, American style fridge freezers have a number of benefits. The most obvious is the larger capacity. If you have a bigger family, then you might find that a standard upright fridge freezer just doesn't offer enough storage space. If you're wondering which fridge freezer has the biggest capacity, then look no further than Willow's 430L American fridge freezer.

Side by side fridge freezers are often preferred because of the 50/50 split. This means that there is an equal amount of space dedicated to the fridge and the freezer. Whilst other fridge freezers tend to have smaller freezer sections, you don't have to worry about running out of space with American style fridge freezers!

Some models such as the Willow WSBS84DS have a water dispenser. This means that they have a tank which you can fill up with water that is kept cold, ready to be dispensed whenever you like. This is perfect for the summer months! Similarly, some models also have built in ice dispensers.

Most American style fridge freezers are frost free which is a fantastic feature. Frost free means that thre is a built-in system that automatically defrosts the freezer, eliminating the need for manual defrosting. This prevents ice build up and saves you time. Frost free appliances generally do use more electricity than those you have to manually defrost.

How much does it cost to run an American fridge freezer?

The rising energy costs are a big concern for many of us across the UK, especially when it comes to choosing new appliances. Are you looking to purchase an American style fridge freezer but are worried about the additional costs to your electricity bill? Even with the appliance always being on, there's no need to worry. You'd be surprised at how little it costs to run a side by side fridge freezer alongside your other appliances.

If you want to know how much an appliance costs to run, first of all you need to understand the energy scale. In 2021, the energy efficiency ratings were updated. The previous complicated scale was replaced with a much simpler A-G scale. Each brand new appliance comes with an energy label which gives you all of the important information that you need. Do these labels currently mean nothing to you? You can read our in depth guide on how to read energy labels. Each energy label features a QR code which you can scan to get more information on the energy efficiency of the appliance.

To work out the cost per hour of your appliance, you can use the following formula. This has been provided by NEA:
Appliance running cost (p/hr) = Power rating (W) x Electricity unit rate (p/kWh) ÷ 1000
You'll need to know how much your energy supplier is charging you for electricity. You can find the rest of the information on the energy label.

How much space is needed for a side by side fridge freezer?

As these models are much bigger than your standard fridge freezers, they will require a much bigger space. They are usually favoured by those with larger kitchens. They are seen as a focal point, so they are usually placed in the kitchen where they can be seen. These appliances will require a suitable amount of space for ventilation. You can find out exactly how much by consulting the appliance's user manual. It is usually around 5cm either side and above. If the appliance is not properly ventilated, it can cause it to overheat and malfunction. You should also think about the space required for the doors. Ensure that the doors can open fully without any obstruction.

As with all fridge freezers, you will need to make sure that there is a suitable and dedicated electrical outlet nearby. As fridge freezers need to be switched on at all times, you need to ensure that there is no risk of the appliance being unplugged or switched off.

You should also make sure that any refrigeration appliance is installed away from a heat source. This includes ovens, hobs and radiators. It is best to keep them out of direct sunlight too.

Do American fridge freezers need to be plumbed in?

Not all American style fridge freezers will need to be plumbed in, it depends on which one you buy. If there is a water or ice dispenser, you will need to check if the model you are buying is plumbed or unplumbed. If it requires plumbing in, then it will need to be installed near a water supply and you may need to speak to a professional plumber. The Willow range of American style fridge freezers are all unplumbed, so are easy to install. If you wish to use the water dispenser, you just have to make sure the water tank is kept topped up.

Shop Home Feeling's range of American fridge freezers here.