A home appliance writer explains how to buy and choose a refrigerator (The photo is Iris Ohyama "STOCK EYE Refrigerator with camera 296L")

Some may be thinking about buying a refrigerator for a new life. Makiko Tanaka, a home appliance writer, says, "If you want to buy it, we recommend it in March." Why? Also, what are the precautions and basic selection methods before buying a refrigerator? I was told in detail. [8 photos] Equipped with a camera that can check inventory! Introducing the two latest recommended refrigerators selected by home appliance writers with photos!

If you want to buy it in March, in case of a price drop period before the settlement of accounts and inventory shortage after April!

One of the reasons you should buy it in March is when the price goes down. "It is generally said that refrigerators are cheaper twice a year. The first is around August, before the launch of new products in the beginning of autumn. At home electronics mass retailers, price cuts are made to sell out the current model. March, the second closing month. The closing month is the closing month for summarizing sales for the fiscal year and for a certain period. Therefore, each store aims to increase sales as much as possible in the closing month and also dispose of inventory. The aim is this month. ”(Mr. Tanaka, same below) Especially, March is the time when demand grows ahead of a new life. Where you want to get good things early. "Recently, due to the Korona-ka, there is a shortage of parts and semiconductors, and there is concern about a shortage of home appliances. Recently, a shortage of water heaters has become a problem, but even if you try to buy a refrigerator, it will be out of stock. If so, you don't have time to scrutinize it, and you may have to compromise. If there are signs of concern such as poor coldness, loud driving noise, or if you have purchased it for more than 9 years, Please consider early. Since the holding period of parts for refrigerators is set to 9 years from the end of production, if it exceeds 9 years, it may not be possible to order or repair parts even if it breaks down. If it breaks, the ingredients can't be used at once, so it's miserable. "

Three major points for choosing a refrigerator "Place" "How to open the door" "Capacity"

So what should you check before you buy a refrigerator? The first is whether or not you can enter the refrigerator storage area. ◆ Check the storage area "The first thing you want to check is whether you are in the refrigerator storage area. If the storage location has already been decided in an apartment, etc., it is a major premise to enter there. Instead, it is necessary to open 5 mm or more from the left and right walls and 5 cm or more above. However, in recent years, there are more and more models with the same width and larger capacity, so it is possible to choose a model with a larger capacity than before. There is also sex. "◆ Which is better," one-sided opening "or" double-door opening "? Next, how to open the door. "There are" one-sided doors "that open from the right or left, and" French doors "(double doors) that open from the center. French doors are convenient when it is difficult to open in a small kitchen, while French doors have a wide door pocket. Some say that it is necessary to devise storage because it is small. If there is a possibility of moving in the future, you can either use a French door that is easy to use no matter where you place it, or you can change the direction of the door that Sharp has introduced even if it opens on one side. It may be better to choose a "replacement door" or a "both door" that can be opened and closed either left or right. "◆ How to choose the capacity The third point is how to choose the capacity. It is said that the size of the refrigerator is "refrigerator capacity = 70L x number of family members + 100L (regular capacity) + 70L (reserve capacity)". "It's certainly one of the guidelines, but I think it's better to choose it based on your lifestyle. Even in a small household, you can buy a week's worth of food in bulk, or use a lot of frozen foods, rice and flour. For those who want to keep powders such as these in the refrigerator, I think it's better to choose a large capacity if you can put it in the refrigerator. It is better to have enough space. Also, since the consumption of frozen foods has been increasing in recent years, it is better to check the freezer room and capacity. In fact, the larger capacity of the refrigerator consumes less annual power. In many cases, the electricity bill is profitable. The only disadvantage is that the price of the main unit will be higher. "This time, the" camera "that needs attention among the large-capacity type and medium-capacity type. We asked Mr. Tanaka to select the latest model equipped with "functions". "By being able to manage inventory, you can prevent forgetting to buy or double-buying when shopping when you go home, and reduce food loss. People who notice it in double-income households buy it. It is a recommended model for homes with a deep-rooted lifestyle. "