Here’s a fact about refrigerators that you didn’t know: in Pennsylvania, USA, it is illegal to sleep outdoors on top of a fridge! We’re not certain whether you can sleep on this same fridge indoors, but this bizarre law is, in fact, law in this state.
We don’t know what prompted the local lawgivers to implement this rule, but we know little about fridges. From the downright absurd to the wonderfully practical, we’ve put together some little-known facts about refrigerators that you may not know.
1. Fact! Refrigerators Will Outlast Most Appliances
When you consider the fact that your fridge is one kitchen appliance that you simply can’t live without (especially in our South African summers!), it’s good to know that they’re built to last. Fridges last – on average – 13 years, and longer if you offer them regular TLC. Add to this the fact that many other appliances, such as TVs, undergo frequent technical revolutions, yet the fridge just keeps on doing its job: keeping things cool.
2. The Warmest Part of the Fridge Is the Door
Where do you keep your milk? If you keep it in the fridge door, you may want to rethink your fridge-packing strategy. Those handy little door compartments should, ideally, hold things like condiments or sauces as opposed to highly perishable items like – yes, milk. The coolest part of the fridge is at the back near the bottom, and the warmest is in the door.
3. Newer Fridges Are More Energy Efficient
Refrigeration methods have been around for centuries, although the modern electrical fridge as we know it only came about in the 1900s. At the time, refrigerators were the greediest energy consumers in a home, prompting many major manufacturers to rethink the energy efficiency of these important appliances. Today’s fridges use, on average, 50% less energy than the average mid-century models.
On the topic of energy efficiency, today’s stats tell us that the LG LTCS20020 model top freezer fridge model tops the list of the most energy-efficient fridges. So if you’re in the market for a new fridge and reducing your carbon footprint and electrical bill are high on your list of priorities, then the LG range of fridges is a great place to start.
4. The Earliest Fridges Were (Literally) Iceboxes
We can’t discuss facts about refrigerators without talking about the ancient Egyptians. These chaps would store water in containers and then added salt to the container to create a cooling system. The ancient Iranians built incredible underground storage spaces with domed surfaces and thick walls and made use of a clever aqueduct system to keep their perishables cold. In the 1860s, the “modern” home used an insulated box with various compartments and a large block of ice at the bottom.
Aren’t we glad those days are over?
5. The Basics Are Pretty Simple
There are more than 20 parts inside your refrigerator, but only a few of them do all the heavy lifting.
- The evaporator cools the air inside the refrigerator.
- The compressor pumps it.
- The condenser coil turns it back into a liquid so that it can return to the evaporator and cycle back around.
- The thermostat is like your car’s thermostat in that it measures how warm or cold things are inside the fridge and tells the control board when to turn on or off certain parts of the system.
- And last but not least, the refrigerant circulates throughout, keeping everything nice and frosty.
(And if you’re smart, you may have already invested in a solar hybrid fridge which is a great idea no matter where you live.)
Smart Fridges Are the Future
Living in this technological age, it’s exciting to see what’s next in the world of refrigeration. How can fridges do more than simply cool stuff? Well, you may be surprised to learn that smart fridges offer some fascinating features.
For example, the stunning LG 793L Matt Black French Door Instaview Fridge is not only beautifully designed but will amaze even the most jaded among us. Take a look at this video below.
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Through two quick knocks, the elegant tinted glass panel illuminates, letting you see inside the easy access compartment without opening the door, thereby reducing cold air loss. Three cooling technologies work together to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer – up to twice as long as competitors. Keeping your fridge cleaner and reducing odours is made easy by the intelligent internal filter that eliminates 99.999% of bacteria.
Buying a New Fridge?
If the time has come to retire your tired old fridge and you’re looking for something beautiful and practical that won’t break the bank, then we can help. Aside from these interesting facts about refrigerators, we have some pretty awesome products in our stores.
Take a look at our special offers here, or scroll through our full range of fridges and freezers.