Fridges - New Energy Efficient Samsungs

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FlyingPete

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#136615 3-Dec-2013 13:41

I am in the process of buying appliances for my new place and a standard fridge is one of those. I pay a lot of attention to ongoing running costs of any appliance.

What got my attention in the local Good Guys the other day was amongst the row of fridge/freezers there were some Samsungs quoting 3.5 Energy Stars, next best was 2.5. That seems to be a reasonable difference.

Consumer have not reviewed these models yet so wondering if anyone here has come across them and has any thoughts?

One of the models I looked at was the SR320MLS, basically uses less than $80 a year to run it according to Energy Star.

trig42

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#944732 3-Dec-2013 13:58

I am not sure about the Samsungs, but 3.5 stars is pretty good.

Did they have any of the Panasonic Inverter fridges? They are supposed to be quite energy efficient.
Also, the Electrolux Top-Mount Freezer models - A friend of mine is building a house off-grid and he needed a big fridge. The Electrolux was the winner for him.

FlyingPete

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#944741 3-Dec-2013 14:04

Haven't seen the Panasonics. According to http://www.energywise.govt.nz those Samsung's are the most efficient Fridge Freezer on the market in NZ. Shame only the larger ones are bottom freezer though.

trig42

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#944745 3-Dec-2013 14:12

Bottom Freezer are less efficient.

I don't think the big Electrolux is on sale here, he had to get one sent from Australia.

FlyingPete

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#944748 3-Dec-2013 14:20

trig42: Bottom Freezer are less efficient.

Yep true but not for your back :)

nate

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#944801 3-Dec-2013 15:16

trig42: Bottom Freezer are less efficient.

When I had our fridge/freezer serviced at home (the freezer is on top), the technician mentioned the models with freezer on the bottom were always far less hassle and more reliable.

I am none the wiser as I've always had the freezer on top.

Dunnersfella

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#944928 3-Dec-2013 18:52

The fridge on top / freezer on the bottom makes more sense to me...
I access the fridge more often, meaning it should be placed at the top, as it's easier to reach. If I have to bend down to grab some milk, it's a bigger pain in the backside, than my wallet.

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Hammerer

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#944942 3-Dec-2013 19:53

We have a Samsung fridge freezer with inverter - not the latest model. It's big with double doors so it uses more power. It was estimated to use about 750kWh a year and it will be very close to that as it runs at about 120W much of the time. Because of the constant low power it is very quiet. Except at night it is more obvious that it goes through a cycle that uses more power and makes unusual sounds but we've never noticed during the day. I thought it was an animal moving around in the walls/ceiling space - it was a few months after we got it so I didn't think of the fridge straight away.

FlyingPete

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#945930 5-Dec-2013 10:08

Just going basic F&P, I rate bottom freezer over power savings. The energy efficient Samsungs that have a bottom freezer are all too big for my gap.

andrewNZ

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#945944 5-Dec-2013 10:22

F&P is a gamble IMO. My parents used to buy F&P all the time but the last 5 fridges and freezers they've had (1 each new 2 replacement fridges and 1 replacement freezer IIRC) all failed inside a year.

You have a warranty and the CGA, which also covers consequential loss, but it doesn't change the fact that not having a fridge is a huge inconvenience.

FlyingPete

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#945945 5-Dec-2013 10:28

I wonder if that is anything to do with the deals F&P are doing at the moment to encourage purchases like $300 pack of meat. Not good if you are a vegetarian though!

timmmay

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#945948 5-Dec-2013 10:31

I have a 6 year old F&P fridge. It's always worked fine, but it's starting to make some slightly strange noises occasionally. The F&P clothes drier the same age has been problematic, the washing machine has been fine other than one blockage. I'm not sure if I'd buy them again, my Bosch dishwasher's brilliant so I'd probably look that way before F&P next time.

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andrewNZ

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#945952 5-Dec-2013 10:36

Could be.
I have an F&P FF now (I bought it second hand off a flatmate) and it's running just fine, but it's the last F&P product I'll ever purchase (hopefully the last I'll own).

I now have a Bosch Washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, and a Westinghouse freezer . They've all been great.

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#945955 5-Dec-2013 10:38

Since we are on the subject of fridges, does anyone have experience with the current range of Mitsubishi ones? I am looking specifically at one that has 3 compartments, fridge, vege and freezer. It is taller than an f&p but has a smaller footprint which will fit better in our redesigned kitchen.
Despite being 'careful' with my money, energy efficiency ranks after utility, reliability and looks in this case. Not to mention purchase price.
The first f&p fridge we owned lasted 20 years, the second still going at 8 but I don't expect to get another 10 out of it. But it doesn't suit the new kitchen, so it will be relegated to the bach.

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FlyingPete

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#945964 5-Dec-2013 10:56

I was also looking at those Mitsubishis , strange looking things but well featured. You get an ice-maker at a good price in a small foot print.