Refrigerator shopping? Why do some cost $6000?

mnn2501 · #21 05/04/10, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfieannie

I dont think you can get one for any less than 799 now HJ. .

Of course you can, it just won't be a fancy one, last one I bought for a rental house was $299 at Best Buy. Wasn't fancy, more like what my parents had in the 60's and 70's.

Wolf mom · #22 05/04/10, 09:25 AM

My next refrigerator will be one that is flat with the kitchen cabinets. I really dislike the fact that they stick out from the cabinets. When I move (if ever in this market) I've planned on leaving this energy efficient refrig here just for that reason.
Having a freezer, I also don't want a large refrig/freezer combo. The freezer section seems to be getting larger on newer refrigerators.
Just my personal quirk.

SolarGary · #23 05/04/10, 09:44 AM

Hi,
As far as the energy efficient part goes, the Energy Start web page has some material:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...up&pgw_code=RF

They offer lists of all the fridges out there along with yearly energy use.

The yellow tags in the fridges also give the yearly power consumption.
I would go more by the actual KWH usage rather than whether the frige gets the Energy Star rating, as (I believe) they divide fridges into size classes and award the label within each size class -- this seems dumb to me.

There was some serious talk about a program like the "cash for clunkers" program for cars, but for appliances -- you might check on that before you buy. Here is one article on it:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...tes23_ST_N.htm

One of the blurbs form the Energy Star site:
What else should I look for when buying a refrigerator?

Ask for an ENERGY STAR model.
When buying a refrigerator, request an ENERGY STAR qualified model to ensure it is energy efficient.
Check the yellow EnergyGuide label.
Use this label to determine the model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs. Learn How to Use the EnergyGuide Label

Refrigerator shopping? Why do some cost $6000? - Homesteading Questions

.
Consider buying a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer.
Models with top-mounted freezers use 10–25% less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models.
Purchase an appropriately sized refrigerator.
Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 16–20 cubic feet.
Consider skipping the ice-maker and dispenser.
Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14–20%. They also raise the purchase price by $75–250.
Related Information:
Refrigerator Usage Best Practices

Gary

mightybooboo · #24 05/04/10, 09:55 AM

Just ordered a 17 cf from Lowes,comes tomorrow.

450 dollars.488.00 with tax and free delivery

200 rebate cash for clunkers program

SoCal Edison,SCE rbates,50 for energy Star,50 to recycle old one.

So its 488-300 in rebates=188 dollars for about the most efficent refer out there at 324 kw/hr a year.Only Sunfrost beats it at 240 kw/hr a year but costs 2,500 without tax or delivery.

Good deals with the rebate right now.

In Riverside Ca.,their utility rebate is 225 on top of the 200 fed program,the refer I bought is 63 dollars for them!Sales guy said he couldnt understand why people arent lined up around store.

YMMV depending on your particular utility rebates,or if your state still has the fed money for the 200 dollar rebate.

blooba · #25 05/05/10, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanwhile

I need a refrigerator. Mine is dying. I am looking at Lowe's but how in the world to know which one is best? Some cost $799 but one is over $6,000! I do know that to be more energy efficient shouldn't I get one with the freezer on the bottom? What else makes that big of a difference? Thank you.

Actually some of the freezer on the bottom fridges only use as much electricity as a 60 watt lightbulb.

The freezer on the top are the most mass produced, hence lower price.
Next will be side by side then the freezer on the bottom are generally the highest price.

Other than that price is adjusted for features,energy efficiency,material and brand name.

blooba · #26 05/05/10, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf mom

My next refrigerator will be one that is flat with the kitchen cabinets. I really dislike the fact that they stick out from the cabinets.

That is called a cabinet depth model and does cost a little more but is a nice feature.

mightybooboo · #27 05/05/10, 04:46 PM

New refer came,uses 324 kw/hrs a year,the 1997 18 cf refer used 479.

Thats 32% less electricity,WOW.

Im going for the 200 cash for clunker rebate,had them haul away old one so only going for the 50 dollar Edison Energy Star rebate rebate.

488 cost - 250 rebates = 238 dollars for a new 16.7 cf foot refer/freezer.

Pretty hard to beat that price!

How Do I · #28 05/05/10, 10:23 PM

We found our GE Profile side-by-side with through-door refreshment center at a warehouse sale for $400 because it had a few dings at the base on one side. I got spoiled with the refreshment center, so even though it is over 10 years old and the thing just started giving me trouble this very day (defrost warning light blinking), I'll surely fix it before looking for something else.