Comparison of Frost Free Refrigerator Freezers

Energy Efficiency

• According to the Florida Energy Systems Consortium, manual defrost freezers use 25 percent to 40 percent less energy than frost-free designs. Select a more efficient design of frost-free freezers to counter the extra energy costs they bring. For example, chest freezers use 10 percent to 25 percent less energy than upright models. When it comes to design, a freezer on top is the most efficient, followed by a freezer on bottom, with side-by-side models being the least efficient. The optimal size for saving energy is a model with 16 to 20 cubic feet of space.

Design

• Most refrigerator/freezer combos are automatic defrosting mechanisms, so many design options are available. Select a combo with a true freezer with a temperature of 0 F or less, rather than just a freezing compartment. In addition to being frost-free, many designs have several cool zones offering different temperatures. Some offer the convenience of ice and chilled water dispensers. Select side-by-side or those with one compartment above the other, aiming for the design that best suites your storage needs.

Maintenance

• Manual defrost styles can develop a layer of frost occasionally, and it can be a messy process to melt this away. But frost-free freezers can still develop frost on the interior walls, either due to a failed mechanism or poorly sealed doors that allow humid air inside. The defrost system works by continually monitoring the interior of the freezer and blowing warm air to melt away frost build-up. The frost enters an evaporation dish and is kept out of sight, leaving your freezer looking fresh and clean.

Benefits

• The real benefit of frost-free freezers is they don’t require manual defrosting on your part. With manual freezers, frost can build up and reduce the freezer's efficiency, while diminishing the flavor of stored foods. Manually defrosting can be messy and requires leaving the door open and turning off the freezer so all the ice melts. But frost-free freezers can still frost over from time to time, especially if the door is left open or the defrost mechanism fails. Purchase a frost-free freezer with superior defrost mechanism and adequate sealing to avoid these maintenance issues.