While upgrading refrigerator for their homes people in India nowadays are considering side by side by models too if budget is not a factor. Most get attracted to bigger size side by side fridge mostly shown in TV ads. Double door models are hardly shown.
Lets discuss if for a typical Indian home is it a wise decision to buy a side by side refrigerator. Biggest factor against side by side refrigerator is freezer to fridge ratio(space of freezer out of total available space). In side by side refrigerators this is approx 40:60% of total space while in normal double door fridge it is 20:80%. Infact in single door refrigerators its even lower at 10:90%.
This is good mostly for working couple who like to cook and freeze there food on weekends so as to use it on working days. I doubt we have that kind of culture in India as we are strictly against frozen foods as our parents love to cook due to easily available fresh veggies from cart/vendor nearby.
Plus there is extra power consumption too due to this higher freezer space ratio. You’ll mostly notice that these side by side refrigerators are low on star rating due to this and become a major cost in electricity bills.
Better alternative for Indian home is to instead buy a refrigerator with following features:
- Bottom Freezer – So that fridge part is easily accessible as Women mostly tend to have back problems.
- Inverter compressor – Not only these are latest and power saving. These also tend to operate on wide range on voltage thus saving transformer cost and are super silent too.
- Convertible fridge – Are the future where you can change freezer to fridge mode or even put it off for holidays. Tend to save power and increase life of compressor too.
- Spend more on 5star or 4star power saving models as refrigerator is kept on 24/7 365 days.
Have a look at few good Bottom Freezer Refrigerators:
Haier 325 L, 3 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free Double Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator (HEB-333DS-P, Dazzle Steel)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Premium auto defrost with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance. Manage your flexible storage needs with convertible 14 in 1 technology of this double door fridge: Normal Mode | Veg Mode | Cold Drink Mode | Soft Freezer Mode | Vacation Mode | Power Cool Mode | Power Saving Mode | Surprise Party Mode | Turbo Mode | Holiday Mode | Freezer Mode | Preserve Curd Mode | Snow Beverages Mode | Dessert Mode.
- Capacity: 325 Litres Double Door Fridge; This refrigerator is suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 85 Ltr, Fresh food capacity: 240 Ltr.
- Energy Rating: 3 Star Double Door Fridge - Energy Efficiency | Annual Energy Consumption: 250 KWH.
- Manufacturer Warranty: This refrigerator comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on product and a 10 years warranty on the inverter compressor.
- Compressor With Cooling Technology: Triple Inverter Compressor of this double door fridge provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty.
Haier 355 L, 3 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-363TS-P, Inox Steel)
- Frost Free Refrigerator : Premium Auto Defrost Refrigerator with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance with Convertible 14in1 & Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology
- Capacity 355 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 85 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 270 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 3 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty and a 10 years warranty on the inverter compressor
- Triple Inverter Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty
Haier 237 L, 3 Star, 8 In 1 Convertible, Twin Inverter Technology, Bottom Mounted Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-243GS-P, Moon Silver)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Premium auto defrost with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance. Manage your flexible storage needs with convertible 8 in1 technology of this double door fridge: Normal Mode | Veg Mode | Vacation Mode | Surprise Party Mode | Summer Mode | Turbo Mode | Home Alone Mode | Freezer Mode.
- Capacity: 237 Litres Double Door Refrigerator; This fridge is suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 66 Ltr, Fresh food capacity: 171 Ltr.
- Energy Rating: 3 Star Double Door Fridge - Energy Efficiency | Annual Energy Consumption: 236 KWH.
- Manufacturer Warranty: This refrigerator comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on product and a 10 years warranty on the compressor.
- Compressor With Cooling Technology: Twin Inverter Technology of this double door fridge helps run both the fan motor and compressor at Inverter causing fewer fluctuations and more energy savings by automatically adjusting the cooling supply of this refrigerator in regards to the cooling demand. Adding on to it also gives 10 years warranty on compressor.
Haier 325 L, 3 Star, Convertible 14-in-1, Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-333GB-P, GE Black)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Premium auto defrost with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance. Manage your flexible storage needs with convertible 14 in 1 technology of this double door fridge: Normal Mode | Veg Mode | Cold Drink Mode | Soft Freezer Mode | Vacation Mode | Power Cool Mode | Power Saving Mode | Surprise Party Mode | Turbo Mode | Holiday Mode | Freezer Mode | Preserve Curd Mode | Snow Beverages Mode | Dessert Mode.
- Capacity: 325 Litres Double Door Fridge; This refrigerator is suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 85 Ltr, Fresh food capacity: 240 Ltr.
- Energy Rating: 3 Star Double Door Fridge - Energy Efficiency | Annual Energy Consumption: 250 KWH.
- Manufacturer Warranty: This refrigerator comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on product and a 10 years warranty on the inverter compressor.
- Compressor With Cooling Technology: Triple Inverter Compressor of this double door fridge provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty.
Haier 237 L, 2 Star, 8 In 1 Convertible, Frost Free Double Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator (HEB-242GS-P, Moon Silver)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Premium Auto Defrost with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance. Manage your flexible storage needs with Convertible 8in1 technology : |Normal Mode|Veg Mode|Vacation Mode|Surprise Party Mode|Summer Mode|Turbo Mode|Home Alone Mode|Freezer Mode
- Capacity 237 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 66 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 171 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on Product and a 10 years warranty on the compressor
- Compressor with Cooling technology – Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty
Whirlpool 270 L (Gross Capacity 300L) Frost Free Triple-Door Refrigerator (FP 313D PROTTON ROY ALPHA STEEL (Z)
- Frost Free Multi-Door Refrigerator: Energy Efficient
- Capacity: 270 litres suitable for a medium sized family
- Storage & Interior Description : | Cooling Type ; Frost Free | Display Type ; Thermostat | Shelf Material ; Toughened Glass | Compressor Type ; Reciprocatory
- Energery Efficent : As unbelievable as it is, the all new Protton world series consumes lesser energy than a CFL*, making it one of the most energy efficient refrigerator in its class. *T&C Apply. As compared to a 60 watt CFL
- Special Feature - Stabilizer-free operations even in high voltage fluctuations between (160-300V)
Whirlpool 312 L 3 Star IntelliFresh Convertible Inverter Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (IFPRO BM INV CNV 370 Steel onyx-Z, 3s)
- The star rating changes are as per BEE guidelines on 1st Jan 2023
- Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator - Intellisense Inverter Technology
- Capacity: 312 liters suitable for medium to large sized family
- Energy Rating : 3 star
- Special Features: Stabilizer free operation even in high fluctuation voltage between (115V-305V)
Electrolux 453L Frost Free Inverter Double Door Refrigerator, Bottom Freezer, TasteLockAuto & TasteGuard Technology, Stainless Steel, UltimateTaste 500, EBE4502C-S
- 1 Year Standard Warranty; 10 Years Warranty on Compressor (Refrigerant/Gas is chargeable)
- MOISTURE-FREE VEGTABLES AND FRUITS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK: The TasteLockAuto technology releases excess moisture to reduce condensation and keep the food fresh for up to one week.
- ODOUR-FREE & HYGIENIC STORAGE: This double door refrigerator comes with TasteGuard Deodorizer function that uses carbon filter to keep your food fresh, hygienic, and free from unwanted odours.
- DELICIOUS MEALS AT ALL TIMES: The EvenTemp function, helps in protecting the flavour and texture of your food. It ensures each shelf is cool and maintains a constant temperature across the entire compartment.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR FRIDGE EFFORTLESSLY: With FlexStor function, you can arrange your refrigerator as per your needs with adjustable door bins and shelves. This double door refrigerator comes with different-sized compartments that effortlessly accommodate items, whether they are big or small.
Panasonic 400L 2 Star Prime Convertible 6-Stage Smart Inverter Frost-Free Double Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator (NR- BK415BQKN, Diamond Black,Jumbo Fresh Vegetable Basket,Net Capacity 357L)
- 🍨Prime Convertible Modes: Convertible Mode for storing and keeping vegetables, dairy items fresh with energy efficiency | 4 sub modes of Prime Fresh - adjust setting as per the need and make it your best cooking companion | Freezer Mode for ice cream, ice cubes & frozen food with accesibility and convenience.
- 🍽️4 sub modes of Prime Fresh - Insta cook to keep food fresh and tasty for 7 days | Tiffin Fresh for keeping last night's meal fresh for 6 days | Pro Marinate mode for quick marinating and delicious cooking due to better absorption | Pro Chill Mode for enjoying palatble smoothie and drinks.
- 🗄️Capacity 400 L: Suitable for families with 5 or more members | Big Door Pockets | 28L Fresh Safe Vegetable Basket | Freezer Capacity: 106L | Fresh Food Capacity: 251L| Frost Free Inverter Refrigerator.
- 🛡️Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Year on Product | 10 Years on Compressor. Intelligent 6 Stage Inverter Compressor and advance sensors: Energy Efficient, Less Noise & More Durable | Advanced Sensors for maximising Energy Efficiency. 2 Star rating - The star rating are as per BEE guidelines on or before 1st Jan 2023.
- 😣➡️😄Bottom Mount convertible Freezer to give your back a relief
Electrolux 529L Frost Free Inverter Double Door Refrigerator, Bottom Freezer, TasteLockAuto & TasteGuard Technology, Stainless Steel, UltimateTaste 500, EBE5302C-S
- 1 Year Standard Warranty; 10 Year Warranty on Compressor (Refrigerant/Gas is chargeable)
- MOISTURE-FREE VEGTABLES AND FRUITS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK: The TasteLockAuto technology releases excess moisture to reduce condensation and keep the food fresh for up to one week.
- ODOUR-FREE & HYGIENIC STORAGE: This double door refrigerator comes with TasteGuard Deodorizer function that uses carbon filter to keep your food fresh, hygienic, and free from unwanted odours.
- DELICIOUS MEALS AT ALL TIMES: The EvenTemp function, helps in protecting the flavour and texture of your food. It ensures each shelf is cool and maintains a constant temperature across the entire compartment.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR FRIDGE EFFORTLESSLY: With FlexStor function, you can arrange your refrigerator as per your needs with adjustable door bins and shelves. This double door refrigerator comes with different-sized compartments that effortlessly accommodate items, whether they are big or small.
Hope this helps in your refrigerator buying process.