How to Buy a Compact Freezer

Compact freezers are a great way to buy foods in bulk and to store them for long periods of time, and in terms of energy efficiency, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy notes that energy-efficient appliances include small freezers geared towards home use.

There are primarily two types of compact freezers: chest and upright. Compact freezer capacities usually range anywhere from 2 cubic feet to as large as 25 cubic feet. Chest freezers, such as the Sunpentown UF-310W, are great if you buy foods in bulk and store them for prolonged periods, or need to freeze bulky or large items. While they may take up a bit more floor space than upright freezers, they can be up to 25 percent more energy efficient because air doesn’t spill out when the door is open and they’re better insulated than upright freezers. However, the one downside to these types of units is that because they lack shelves, food can be difficult to organize.

On the other hand, if you only buy small amounts of food, upright freezers such as the Sunpentown UF-160S may be better, as the shelves make organization is snap. These freezers are also more compact and take up less floor space, but the door configuration makes them less energy efficient. Therefore, with that in mind, you should choose your freezer based on your freezing requirements and space constraints. Here are some additional tips on how to choose the right freezer for your household:

1. Keep in mind the size of your family. The more people you have to feed means the more food you will need, and to determine your household’s requirements, multiply the number of people in your family by 1.5 cubic feet.

2. Think about your food shopping habits. If you buy food in bulk packages, remember that one cubic feet of freezer space equates to roughly 35 pounds of food.

3. Find out how much space you have for a freezer, as this will influence your decision as to whether you need to buy a chest or upright freezer. Although many people like to keep freezers in their garage, many freezer manufacturers warn against this if there is a significant temperature fluctuation. For example, in hot weather, a freezer’s compressor must work overtime to keep food frozen, which in turn decreases the overall life of the compressor and makes it more prone to malfunction. As such, keeping the freezer in the basement may be a better option, but if you live in a relatively mild climate, putting the freezer in the garage should be fine.

4. Consider a freezer’s features. Choose a model based on the features you deem to be important, such as adjustable temperature control, self-defrosting features, and magnetic door seals which are safer and more dependable than traditional latches.