Can You Replace An Integrated Fridge?

Can You Replace An Integrated Fridge?

An integrated fridge is a refrigerator installed into your kitchen cabinets.

They are perfect for people who have limited space in their kitchens, as they take up less room than an average fridge would.

Besides saving space, the smaller size of the appliance also saves energy and water over time by requiring fewer food deliveries from grocery stores or restaurants.

Can You Replace An Integrated Fridge?

Yes! The first thing you’ll want to do is to measure the dimensions of where the fridge would go. You’ll also need to know what type of pipelines are already in place, whether or not they’re gas lines for natural gas or electric power.

If your fridge is at least ten years old and you want to save money on energy costs, then it’s time for an upgrade.

Appliances are often considered to be a black hole for energy consumption.

This is because people forget about them, but future legislation will make this more challenging.

If you want to sell your old appliance, it has to meet specific standards.

This applies especially to fridges as you cannot easily save the large amounts of energy they consume.

This also means that you should start with an upgrade when considering ways to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and save money on your electricity bill.

It may not make sense trying to cut back on the fridge only. Sometimes upgrading it will also cause savings elsewhere (for example, increased storage space).

Can I Replace The Integrated Fridge With Free-Standing?

The answer is yes, but there are some things to consider before you make the switch.

You’ll also need to know what type of pipelines are already in place, whether or not they’re gas lines for natural gas or electric power.

And how far away from the nearest electrical outlet your unit will be.

If you’re replacing a built-in refrigerator, there’s a chance that the pipes and electrical lines may not line up, so this is something to consider.”

“Once you’ve gathered all of this information, call an appliance repair company and ask them if they can do the job.

You’ll most likely need to pay for these services before they agree to help you out.

It also helps if you have purchased the new refrigerator before.

Having it on hand will allow them to give you an accurate time frame when the installation process will begin.”

“To prevent damage during removal and installation, prepare and protect your floor by putting down drop clothes or paper towels.

Also, try moving items away from the area. If you have any items underneath your refrigerator, make sure they are tightly sealed to the floor or wall.”

Where Is The Drip Tray In An Integrated Fridge?

The location of this device varies, but you can find it on the top or bottom shelf of your refrigerator, usually near the back.

Some fridges have a second drain at the front left side of the freezer compartment to help minimize messes and keep them under control.

This may also be where you find your filter for cleaning.

If not, look on either side of this area for two white tubes with hoses attached to them – one will go right into your sink faucet while another will link to an external spigot nearby.

Why Are Integrated Fridges So Expensive?

Integrated fridges are more expensive than their countertop counterparts because they require additional parts.

Like a water line and special venting, to work correctly. As with any appliance purchase, the installation cost ranges from $150-$400 on average.

You can’t move an integrated fridge without hiring professionals to move it.

– But that might even end up saving money in the long run (depending on how big your home is).

Because of these extra parts and installation, integrated fridges(Amazon Link) are usually between $3,000-$5,000 more expensive than countertop versions.

You could also get a better deal if you buy an old or used model online or at a garage sale.

– But it’s essential to consider the risk of something going wrong with your DIY project. Suppose you’re purchasing used for an event like a wedding.

In that case, other people might not want them later because they’ll be unsure how much longer they’ll need the extra capacity.

And again, there’s no guarantee that it will fit in whatever space you plan on putting it.

How Do You Clean An Integrated Fridge?

Here are some steps on how to deep clean your refrigerator with minimal effort.

First, let’s start at the top of your refrigerator, where all those germs are lurking.

Ensure no food or items are up high, as this will contaminate what is below once you disinfect it.

Grab some paper towels and your bleach solution (the recommendation is using 3 tablespoons of bleach in 2 cups of warm water).

Wipe down all surfaces from top to bottom- including handles.

Now, let’s move to the bottom of the refrigerator. Grab a bowl and put some vinegar in it. Vinegar has powerful antibacterial properties that will kill some germs.

Fill the bowl with warm water and scrub all affected areas- including door handles. Once completed, wipe out any excess residue with paper towels.

Wipe down all surfaces on the lower half of your fridge from top to bottom, including handles.

Now move onto the shelves inside of your fridge where food is.

There is usually an average of 8 shelves on most refrigerators, so our suggestion is doing one at a time working from top to bottom.

Make sure there isn’t anything up high that would contaminate what you cleaned below it.

Once you have completed all shelves, it’s time to move on to the crispers.

These areas are the dirtiest part of your fridge, so we suggest using a vinegar solution in a spray bottle and spray all affected areas- including handles.

Let sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush in warm water. Once finished, wipe excess residue with paper towels and move on to the next crisper.

The lower half of your refrigerator should look brand new. Let’s now focus on the upper section where condiments are.

There is likely only one shelf up high, so follow the steps previously mentioned, beginning from top to bottom when disinfecting each area.

As always, wipe excess residue with paper towels.

Now let’s focus on the door of your refrigerator- usually where germs are hiding.

The standard rule is to clean this area after you’ve done everything else so that any bacteria collected doesn’t get spread all over your cleaned fridge.

Use a dampened paper towel or sponge with warm water and soap (our suggestion is using an antibacterial dish soap).

To scrub affected areas, including handles, seams, and rubber gasket.

Make sure there are no residues before storing away your goodies. Once completed, look at how shiny your fridge looks.

Remember, the key is never to let things set in one place for too long- if something spills or gets splashed onto an area you cleaned.

Wipe it down immediately so that it doesn’t dry onto surfaces.

Run through these steps every time something spills or gets splashed on your fridge, especially if you have little ones running around.

Are Integrated Fridge Freezers Any Good?

The answer depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for the best value, then no.

Integrated fridge freezers are more expensive than stand-alone freezer models and have a smaller capacity inside despite being larger outside.

This is because there is no space at all behind or under the fridge section.

Also, some integrated models have poor energy efficiency ratings, especially when compared to separate fridges and freezers on the same footing.

Fridge freezers that you have isolated from one another insulate better their respective compartments, which helps reduce how much electricity they use.

The only area where an integrated model might be superior might be to save space in your kitchen.

However, if this is not a problem for you, buy a stand-alone freezer and fridge unit.

This allows air to circulate each compartment, which helps to push out cold pockets of air that could affect energy efficiency.

It also allows more flexibility in terms of capacity.

An integrated model will probably be challenging to install because you can’t move it about on castors as a separate freezer can.

You’ll have little choice but to fix it in place on its permanent location on your kitchen floor or worktop.

This means extra effort if you want to rearrange your kitchen in the future.

Finally, consider that if one half fails, you may end up with an expensive door that won’t stay shut.

The likely best bet is to get a separate freezer and fridge and leave the freezer door permanently open.

If you do this, make sure the fridge door has a lock to stop your kids from playing with it (most do these days).

If you need more space than that, then two smaller appliances might be cheaper or better than one large one that does everything.

A 19-inch wide upright fridge is still small enough for most people but gets excellent reviews and will hold quite a lot of stuff inside it.

If space is really at a premium, look for an under-counter model instead – they’re slimmer, so they take up less room.

Can I Use Clorox Wipes To Clean The Inside Of My Fridge?

No, you can’t. The chemicals in the wipes will react to the materials of your refrigerator and cause damage.

If you have a spill, first remove as much of the fluid as possible. Then use a wet rag with hot water and dish soap to clean up the rest of the mess.

If there are stubborn stains, try using baking soda or club soda for more challenging jobs.

Once you have removed all fluids, wipe down your refrigerator’s interior with another damp cloth dipped in clean water to remove any soap residue.

You can then dry it out with a clean towel or paper towels.

When finished cleaning your fridge, make sure it’s completely dry before closing it back up tightly, so humidity doesn’t become trapped inside.

It should also be at room temperature before you replace food items inside again.

Now that your fridge is nice and spiffy, switch out all those old food items for some fresh ones. You’ll have yourself a clean fridge in no time.

Why Are Built-In Sub-Zero Refrigerators So Expensive?

There are many reasons for this, but I will focus on the ten major ones below:

1) The materials used in built-in refrigerators cost more because of their higher quality

2) A built-in refrigerator needs additional equipment such as vents and wiring, which also drives up costs

3) Installation costs money, too, particularly if you hire someone from outside your area rather than use an in-house professional

4) If your built-in refrigerator is over five years old, it will need replacement soon, anyway

5) The warranty for a built-in refrigerator is shorter (one or two years) since it’s for new refrigerators only

6) With proper care and maintenance, the life expectancy of a built-in refrigerator goes up to around 15+ years.

While most standard home appliances last on average between 7 and 10 years. This drives the price up further.

7) Standard items like ice makers are missing on built-ins which can save you money.

But then you have to pay extra for things like water dispensers, so there is some cost balancing out there somewhere

8) The sub-zero brand is famous for its quality, which adds to the price

9) Energy efficiency is another major factor in pricing.

It makes sense that a less efficient refrigerator would cost more to run and cost more upfront since it will need replacement sooner.

10) A built-in may offer slightly distinct features than a standard fridge (i.e., an ice maker vs. water dispenser).

This can cause fluctuations in pricing as well.

Conclusion

The cost of an integrated fridge is prohibitive for many people. However, suppose you have the space and budget to invest in a built-in refrigerator.

In that case, it can be worth considering as they use less energy than free-standing models because there are no moving parts inside the appliance.

It’s also easier to clean out food spills from all those hard-to-reach corners that a regular kitchen countertop or pantry door doesn’t offer access to.

If your current fridge isn’t working correctly due to age, I recommend replacing it with a new one instead of going through the hassle and expense of repairing it.