 Our fridges and freezers are running for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so when it comes to buying a new one, it's really important to choose one that's right for you. It's a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start looking for an appliance. If there's only a couple of people in the household, a smaller one would be ideal, but if you've got a larger family, an American side by side could be best for you. The more basic and cheaper end of the scale will do the job perfectly, but only have simple features and styles, whereas the more expensive end of the scale can come in a range of styles, colours and have all the modcons with it. You might want to decide between a freestanding and built-in appliance. A freestanding appliance is where it fits where you want it and you can move it around in the future. They also give you a lot more choice in terms of shape, colour, style and size. A built-in appliance goes behind a kitchen door giving a seamless finish to your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your kitchen, may mean you need a left or right-hand opening door, so look out for appliances with reversible doors that can be changed according to what suits you too. It's worth bearing in mind that the appliance will work better with proper ventilation. As a rule, allow a 5cm gap at the back and 2cm around the side, so you know air can circulate and the appliance won't overheat. Whilst you have the tape measure out, check the space where you want it to go and need any narrow hallways and doors, so you know it will fit and be delivered without any trouble. There are a few different types of appliance to choose from. A Combi or Split appliance with both the fridge and freezer in one appliance is great for saving space in the kitchen. These come in a range of split types to suit whether you want more fridge or freezer space. American fridge freezers are great if you have the space in your kitchen as they can store a huge amount of food. Some models even come with a built-in water and ice dispenser, making them great for larger families and when you're entertaining. There are also single undercounter or tabletop appliances that are perfect for smaller households as they save on space and can be hidden out of the way. If you like your wine, there are even a range of wine chillers to choose from to help keep your favorite tiple at the perfect temperature. If you're looking for a little extra storage space, some appliances can be used in an outbuilding such as a garage or shed. Be sure to check the required room temperature on the appliance to make sure it's safe to use outside or the cold weather could damage the compressor and the appliance. As the appliance will be on constantly, it's important to consider the energy rating. The energy rating ranges from A triple plus to D. Choose an appliance with a better energy rating if you want to do your part for the environment and save some money on your energy bills too. There are also some handy features on the higher range models that could save you a bit more time and money too. Auto defrost and frost free features save you the effort of manually having to defrost. Multi-Flow helps to keep your food fresh for longer by circulating cool air around the cavity and Holiday Mode helps to save energy by turning off your fridge whilst leaving the freezer running when you go on a long trip. All of these features are designed to help make everyday life that little bit easier. We hope this guide helps you in deciding which fridge freezer will be best for you.