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Furniture & Furnishing & Decorations
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About Side-by-Side
Refrigerators
Top and Bottom Freezer RefrigeratorsIntroduction: Side-by-side refrigerators have been around for the last three decades however, their popularity is declining for several reasons. A side-by-side refrigerator has a refrigerator on one side and a freezer on the other side.
The idea of the convenience of a side-by-side
refrigerator has always been the primary selling
feature. But most homeowners that have owned one
realize that although they are somewhat convenient
they also have their limitations, expensive and are
not as reliable as the top or bottom refrigerators.
The side-by-side refrigerators are the least
reliable type of refrigerator. This is partly
because nearly all models have a through-the-door
ice and water dispenser, which is the single most
problematic part of refrigerators. Over time the
water and ice dispensers develop leaks that are
expensive to repair.
Homeowners with narrower kitchens often like
side-by-side refrigerators since the door-swing
clearance can be an issue. The configuration of the
freezer and refrigerator as a single unit also lets
users place more commonly used refrigerator and
freezer items at eye level. However, on a standard
25 cubic foot unit the freezer is limited to
approximately 10 cubic feet, leaving the
refrigerator with 15 cubic feet and cost $1000 to
$2000. Nearly all side by side refrigerators have
ice and water dispensers which make them very
attractive.
The top or bottom freezer refrigerators are more
reliable than the side-by side refrigerator. They
also have more refrigerator and freezer space. A
typical top or bottom unit with a total of twenty
23 cubic feet of storage has 18 cubic feet of
refrigerator storage and 5 cubic feet of freezer
storage. These units have more refrigerator storage
and less freezer storage but they do not have the
problems with ice and dispensers as the
side-by-side unit, and generally cost considerably
less. The price range is between $500 and $800
dollars, depending on size.
Rather than buying a side-by-side refrigerator the
home owner may be better off with two separate
units, a conventional top or bottom freezer
refrigerator and a separate small freezer such as a
five to seven cubic foot. The combined cost would
be less than a side-by-side unit. The side-by-side refrigerator is ideal for a small kitchen such as typically found in condominiums and apartments. For the average homeowner they offer very little convenience for the price and are more troublesome than a standard refrigerator.
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