Buying a Freezer Is an Economical Investment
Household Budget and Energy Savings among Top Reasons to Freeze Food
Jun 13, 2009
A freezer is a sensible investment for many households. Money saved in the family budget is one of the primary reasons most consumers opt to buy a freezer. Energy savings rank as another deciding factor.
Living green and practicing a healthy lifestyle have prompted many residents to grow vegetable gardens, plus more people than ever are making meals from scratch. Freezing provides a splendid way to store surplus vegetables and save dinner leftovers. Before buying a freezer for the home, consider first how one can get the most savings.
A Few Quick Facts about Home Freezers
Consumers need to know what's available when searching for a freezer. Some models require manual defrosting, for example, while others are self-defrosting. Chest freezer sizes vary greatly, ranging from tiny 2.5 cubic feet units to whopping 25 cubic feet giants that take up a great deal of space. Note too, that some units are more energy-efficient than others.
Freezers for the home come in three basic styles: Combination refrigerator freezers, upright freezers, and chest freezers.
- Combination units, where the freezer is on the top, side, or bottom, offer minimal freezing space.
- Chest freezers offer a roomy interior, but may require bending and digging to get to foods at the bottom of the unit.
- Upright freezers look very much like refrigerators and allow easier access to foods, but upright models are not as energy-efficient (compared to chest models).
Questions to Ask before Buying a Freezer
First-time buyers should ask questions before deciding on which unit is right to avoid making a costly mistake. Sample questions first-time buyers might ask:
- How will the freezer be used? Vegetable gardeners often have surplus food. Hunters and fishermen may need a place to store large cuts of prepared meats and fish. Other consumers might consider the savings from weekly store specials and the ability to store seasonal treats and holiday foods.
- Is there room in the home for a freezer? Small chest freezers take very little space and store a fair amount of food for a small family, couple, or even an individual. Upright units take less space compared to the larger chest units.
- Is the unit affordable? Prices start around 200.00 for a 5.0 cubic foot manual-defrost chest freezer. Price depends on size and features.
- How does one calculate a suitable freezer size? The Web site, eHome Resource.Com, posts the article, "Choosing a Freezer" and the author (unknown) states, "You generally need 1.5 cubic feet of space for each family member ... However, if you do not keep your freezer full, it will cost more to run; so you may choose to go with a medium size. You can store 30 to 35 pounds of food in one cubic foot of freezer space."
- Is there a family member with a disability that would have trouble accessing items in a chest freezer? Upright units allow easy access to foods and may be a good choice for someone who has difficulty bending.
- Which type unit is more energy efficient? Chest freezers with manual defrost use the least energy and cost less to run.
Additional Savings to Consider When Buying a Freezer
Investing in a home freezer reduces trips to the grocery store and is great for storing seasonal food items for several months or more. Consider these additional points when buying a freezer:
- The larger the family, the more freezer space is required, but singles and couples on a budget can just as easily save food dollars by purchasing a small chest freezer.
- Stocking a freezer means fewer trips to the grocery store – a real money-saver.
- Fewer trips to the supermarket mean time can be used for other things.
- Fondness for food. The Web site, Don Vandervort's Home Tips, features the article, "Choosing the Right Size Freezer," and adds, "Another issue to consider is your fondness for frozen foods. Is your family large, you have scant time to cook, and can only grocery shop once a week for everybody’s pre-made meals? Or perhaps you like to take advantage of sales on meats so you can have them available whenever you want to throw something on the barbecue."
Buying a home freezer is valid investment even during tough economic times. Money saved by stocking up on grocery store specials is just one advantage. Savings also include gas, time, and money saved from gardening and freezing produce. Sportsmen can freeze meats and fish. Stored leftovers add to the savings and save a busy cook time in the kitchen.
Choosing a freezer depends on family size and needs, as well as available space for the unit. Purchasing a freezer that’s energy efficient helps protect the environment. Consider the facts before buying, and know a well-planned investment will yield years of household savings.
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