Is A Built-In Refrigerator Worth the Money?

Many consumers look at the price tag of a built-in refrigerator and can’t understand how this refrigerator is worth $3,000 – $5,000 more than the average brand. Considering the hefty price tag that these refrigerators appear to have, you may find that they actually aren’t quite as expensive as you think.

When you take into consideration some of the cost-saving benefits that a built-in refrigerator will give you when compared to a traditional freestanding model, it could actually end up saving you money in the long run.

Here are some benefits you may not have thought of:

1) Longevity: When you purchase a built-in refrigerator, you’re usually looking at a product that will typically last approximately 18 years, about 8-10 years longer than the average refrigerator. You’ll also find that the quality of shelving and materials in the interior of these refrigerators is vastly superior to the plastic shelving found inside most of the average consumer brands.

2) Performance: Like a fine automobile, you’re purchasing a product that will definitely outperform its less-expensive competitors. However, the biggest benefit is the food preservation system used in a built-in refrigerator, which allows for your food to last much longer when compared to other lesser brands. One recent discussion estimated that consumers will save an average of $300-$400 per year in terms of food that they don’t need to throw away. For example, a head of lettuce will last over a week, with some produce lasting a month or more. Think of the last time produce lasted even close to that in your current refrigerator, along with how often you’re having to it out after it’s gone bad in your current fridge.

3) Resale Value: Having a built-in refrigerator in your kitchen adds a high-end appeal to a buyer who will immediately recognize the quality of what you’ve installed in your kitchen, and they will be willing to pay for it. Ask most real estate agents and they’ll likely agree that luxury brands in a kitchen are recognized immediately by potential buyers, and will have a significant impact on their decision to purchase your home.

So take a moment when you come in to open the doors, lift the shelves, and be sure to take a good look inside the lesser expensive brands and consider the differences. More importantly, take a moment the next time you’re throwing away spoiled food and think of how long it was in your current refrigerator, and compare that against how long it would have lasted in a built-in refrigerator. Then start keeping track of how much money you’re throwing into your wastebasket, and you may find that that new refrigerator’s price tag isn’t as high as it looks.