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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
James O’Malley

Cool runnings: five reasons why you need to upgrade your fridge

Image of a Hisense fridge
Advancements in fridge tech mean they don’t just look stylish, but can even vary their temperatures as you need Photograph: PR

For many of us, tech upgrades have become an act of ritual. Every few years, we’ll swap out our phones, laptops and other gadgets for something with a larger screen, better camera or more features. But there is one gadget that we rarely seem to think about upgrading. We’re talking about the refrigerator. Standing faithfully in a corner and humming away quietly, fridges are an often overlooked, but vitally important part of our homes and our lives. They’re central to our health and nutrition, our carbon footprints, and the magical ability to conjure up an ice lolly on a sunny summer’s day.

And just as our phones have been improving and can do some pretty amazing things, away from the limelight, our white goods have been too. To get a clearer picture of where fridge tech has got to, we looked at the PureFlat range of refrigerators from Hisense. One of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world, it makes everything from TVs to phones, air conditioners to ovens. In fact, its ethos is to “go tech and beyond” – aiming to pioneer the best new technology and make it work for the way we live our lives. And all this with a focus on good value.

We found five compelling reasons for you to consider upgrading your fridge, and to “go tech”.

Because the only thing that should be frosty is a snowman
There is no more annoying task than periodically having to take an ice pick to your freezer to remove the buildup of frost and ice, or hear that dreaded crack as we try to dislodge an entrapped freezer drawer. So it’s brilliant news then that Hisense has figured out how to solve the problem for good. Its Total No Frost technology keeps air circulating throughout the entire unit, both fridge and freezer. This means that ice simply does not have a chance to build up, leaving you frost-free – forever, says Hisense. So finally, your lettuce will stay cool while staying fresh – and not feeling like it’s been on a wild weekend at Santa’s before reaching your salad bowl.

Because wouldn’t it be great if a fridge could adapt to your needs?
It’s an idea so simple it is amazing that it isn’t more common. Traditional, old-fashioned fridges typically have two temperature controls: one for the fridge, one for the freezer. But what Hisense has realised is what should be obvious: different foods require different temperatures. And that’s why many PureFlat fridges offer triple-zone cooling, where different segments of the fridge can be set at different temperatures, ensuring that everything inside is stored in optimal conditions.

Impressed? Well, there’s something even better. Hisense’s MyFreshChoice technology takes this flexibility one step further, and lets you decide whether different parts of the fridge are cooled to fridge temperatures – or to that of a freezer. So, whether you’re planning a party and need extra space to keep drinks cool, or you’re stocking up for the festive period and are packing in the frozen food, you can simply transform more of the fridge into a freezer, or turn some of the freezer into a fridge. Brilliant.

4.Lifestyle Pic-Premium Inox-without people
Hisense PureFlat Smart Series fridges can be temperature controlled remotely via an app Photograph: PR

Because now you can bring street smarts home
The “internet fridge” has long been a punchline when talking about smart home technology, but just like connected lights and thermostats, a connected fridge is actually a pretty good idea if you use it, er, smartly. Imagine, for example, you go on holiday and want to save energy while you’re away. With the tap of a button on Hisense’s ConnectLife app, you can raise the temperature on your empty fridge closer to room temperature, while still keeping the freezer section icy cold. Or what about if you’re about to head home after a long day at work? Simply tap on the app, put your fridge into overdrive, and arrive back to the chilled drink you crave. Work smart, not hard, and all that.

Because we all need a bit of positive energy
OK, so there’s no such a thing as a completely energy-efficient fridge. After all, it’s literally a machine that you leave running 24/7, performing a mechanical process to condition the air inside. But it is striking just how much difference a new fridge can make compared with fridges of perhaps only a decade ago. Thanks to improvements in efficiency technology, a modern PureFlat fridge will almost certainly use less energy than the device it replaces.

But what about that “F” energy rating, you ask? It’s a bit of a misnomer – until early 2021, it was considered an “A” rating – but the classification system had to be reworked as Europe became significantly more energy efficient. So, the chances are if your current fridge is more than a few years old, it is using significantly more energy – which is not great in an era of high electricity bills. Upgrading to a state-of-the-art fridge will help you make a positive impact in lots of ways.

Because, well, opening a door for cold water is honestly far too much work
Let’s face it, you’ve wanted one for years. It’s not fair that traditionally we have our tiny little British fridges, and the Americans we see on TV have the double doors to Narnia. But, finally, I’m here to tell you: you can buy a super-spacious fridge with a water and ice dispenser on the front if you want to. With Hisense making this luxury much more affordable, upgrading is no mere indulgence. Chilled, filtered water on tap means less plastic waste as well as freeing up space from bottles held in the fridge itself. And in this hot weather, it’ll help you stay hydrated too, as you’ll only ever be a quick tap away from a glass of cool, filtered water.

Clearly, it makes lots of sense to go tech and beyond – and make your kitchen the coolest place this summer.

Choose technology with the power to change the way you experience the world: visit hisense.co.uk

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