A Brief History of Refrigeration

Refrigeration has ancient roots: before electric fridges, people stored food in ice houses or cellars, and used blocks of ice in insulated “iceboxes”. The first artificial cooling was demonstrated by William Cullen in 1748, and Jacob Perkins built an ice-making machine in 1834. Carl von Linde’s refrigeration cycle in 1876 and later innovations led to the first electric home fridge (circa. 1913) and mass production by William Durant in 1918. Throughout the 1800s ice was delivered to homes, and early refrigerators contained toxic gases until safer refrigerants (e.g. Freon) were adopted. Thankfully, those days are over and throughout the 20th century refrigerators have become more efficient and common in UK homes, with frost-free and smart models emerging in recent decades.

Key Considerations When Buying a Home Refrigerator

Capacity and Size: First, measure your available space and consider how much storage you need. A typical UK family of 3–4 people usually needs around 500–600 liters total (fridge + freezer). For example, multi-door fridge-freezers of 506–508 L suit a 3–4 person family, while larger families may want 625–705 L. In general: small households (1–2 people) can often manage with around 150–300 L, medium families (3–4) around 500–600 L, and large families (5+) may need 600–700+ L (often via large or American-style models). Always check the internal usable volume (not just manufacturer claims), and remember to leave extra space around the appliance for ventilation. 

Energy Efficiency: Refrigerators run 24/7, so picking an efficient model saves money and energy. UK energy labels run from A (most efficient) to G (least); new labels (post-2021) dropped A+, A+++, resetting back to A–G. Look for A-rated or high-G efficiency (e.g. A or B on new labels). Energy labels on fridges also show annual kWh use, capacity, and noise. A typical freestanding fridge freezer uses  around £80 per year, while a large American-style uses around £120 (at 27p/kWh, Apr 2025) When choosing, weigh up the purchase price vs running cost; some “Eco Buy” models balance performance and efficiency well. 

Frost-Free Technology: A frost-free freezer (or freezer compartment) is highly recommended. Frost-free models automatically defrost to prevent ice build-up, saving hours of manual defrosting. In our view, frost-free integration is essential  as there are few things more mundane than defrosting a refrigerator. Most mid- and high-end fridge-freezers now include frost-free freezers; even some smart features (like fast freeze) come standard on these models.

Smart and Connectivity Features: Smart fridges can offer inventory management, interior cameras, voice assistants, shopping lists and more. For example, Samsung’s Family Hub fridges integrate a touchscreen with apps (letting you plan meals, view inside via camera, or share shopping lists). Bosch’s Home Connect series lets you monitor your fridge, adjust settings remotely, or create shopping lists via an app. LG offers Wi-Fi connectivity with features like InstaView® (glass panel you knock to illuminate interior) and Door-in-Door™ storage If you have a smart home ecosystem, check compatibility (e.g. Samsung SmartThings, Alexa, Google Home). Bear in mind connectivity: a fridge in a garage or outbuilding may have weaker Wi-Fi, so placement relative to your router matters.

Noise Level: Quieter models (around 30–35 dB) are preferable, especially in open-plan homes. Many inverter compressors run ~35 dB The fridge’s energy label also lists noise. If noise is a concern, look for “super quiet” models or those certified by Quiet Mark. For example, LG boasts about its linear compressor at about 35 dB operation. 

Style and Installation: Decide between freestanding and integrated (built-in) or a larger American-style. Freestanding fridge-freezers (usually 60 cm wide) are easy to install anywhere and come in many finishes. They tend to cost less and be more energy-efficient. Integrated fridges hide behind cabinets for a sleek look, but they are often smaller in capacity and more expensive to install and run. American-style (side-by-side or French-door) models offer maximum storage and features (like ice/water dispensers, multiple cooling zones), but they are wide, deep, pricey, and require extra space and plumbing for water.

Additional Features: Consider built-in extras like water/ice dispensers, door alarms, and temperature controls. A door-alarm is useful (warns if left open). Many high-end models offer adjustable cool drawers, humidity control (e.g. “FRESHBalancer” in LG), air purifiers, or UV sterilisers to keep produce fresh. If these matter, look at premium lines (Bosch VitaFresh, Samsung Twin Cooling, LG NatureFRESH etc).

Brand Recommendations: Well-known reliable brands in the UK include Liebherr (German premium specialist, noted for build quality and innovative features, Bosch/Siemens/Neff (German, very reliable and efficient, LG (tech-focused Korean, with inverter compressors and features like InstaView®, Samsung (big range, Family Hub and other smart fridges, and Haier (affordable yet feature-rich, now a top global appliance brand). Value brands like Beko and Hisense offer budget models; Beko in particular won Which?’s Best Value Appliance Brand 2024. Miele and Fisher & Paykel are premium (often built-in) but pricey. Avoid brands with low reliability ratings (Always read reviews and check reliability).

Budget vs Premium: Prices for good fridge-freezers range widely. The average good quality fridge-freezer is around £800, but you can find decent models under £400 or spend upwards of £1000 for high-end ones. In general, higher spend unlocks premium finishes (e.g. black steel), larger capacity, better energy rating, extra compartments, and smart tech. 

Size Fit & Installation: Before finalizing, measure carefully. Leave at least 5 cm behind and above for ventilation. Check door swing/reversible hinges as needed. Integrated units may need trim kits or door panels. Ensure the fridge door can fully open in your space.

Below: Table showing the type, features, benefits and drawbacks of the different type of refrigerators.