Nearly 23% of 35 million households in the US have two fridges, and the second one is usually either in the garage or basement. If you’re thinking of getting an extra fridge for your garage, ask yourself if you can justify the additional expense of a second fridge. Do you think you’ll use that extra fridge to store extra groceries that normally don’t fit into your main fridge?
Owning a second fridge as part of your Newport Beach garage storage system brings several advantages like:
- It will help you stay well-stocked on groceries and you won’t have to make as many trips to the grocery store
- You can use it to keep prepared dishes or leftovers in case you entertain frequently
- You can use it to hold all your bottled drinks and let your main fridge be used mostly for food items
On the other hand, you might also face some challenges like a second fridge will use up space in your garage storage cabinets in Newport Beach and it will add to your electrical bill.
What Kind Of Fridge Should I Buy For My Garage Storage In Laguna Beach?
Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of buying a fridge for your garage and decided to go ahead with the purchase, there are a few important things you should know. If you are somewhere with consistent year-round temperatures – that also fall within the manufacturer-recommended range of temperatures for running the fridge – you can buy any regular fridge and it will be fine.
But if you live in a climate with scorching or humid summers, a regular fridge won’t be able to withstand the garage temperature which means it will be more likely to break down. A standard fridge is designed to work at room temperature. You put that fridge in a room that doesn’t have any climate control, and it will struggle to keep up without losing its cool (pun intended).
This additional stress the fridge is under will also increase the amount of electricity being consumed. So not only will your utility bills go considerably up, but you may also have to pay for major repairs at some point. Unpredictable temperatures can cause the drip pans in regular fridges to fill up with water quickly. When the weather turns hotter, condensation will also form on the outside of the fridge and evaporate. In both cases, that means more unnecessary moisture in your Yorba Linda garage cabinets.
Choose An Energy-Efficient Fridge For Your Laguna Beach Garage Storage
Keep in mind that old refrigerators are not energy-efficient. Yes, your grandfather’s icebox may have withstood the test of time and we agree, they don’t make ’em like they used to. But we bet that old beast singlehandedly added hundreds of dollars to the electrical bill.
Old refrigerators are far less energy-efficient than modern fridges so if you’re thinking of installing your old fridge in your garage, that’s not a poignant idea. We recommend going for a fridge that’s labeled “garage-ready” by the manufacturer. These models have a few key differences that the regular fridges, including a lower range of recommended operating temperatures, higher energy efficiency, and extra insulation.
Running a regular fridge in a hot environment can lead to premature failure due to increased use of the fan motor and compressor. Based on this, if you live in LA or somewhere similarly hot, in addition to buying an energy-efficient model, also add insulation to your space. You can get a Los Angeles custom garage cabinet designed to securely place the fridge.
Look for the ES (Energy Star) rating on the fridge that’s going to be used in your garage area. The appliance should be able to adjust to the temperature of the space – garage, in this case – in which it is placed.
And honestly, whether you have a second fridge running in the garage or not, adding insulation to your garage is a wise investment. It helps regulate the indoor temperature and boosts the overall energy efficiency of your house.
What’s Wrong With Installing An Old Fridge In The Garage?
A refrigerator manufactured before 1990 will cost you at least $250-$300 a year to run in the garage. You can use this calculator to figure out how much your old fridge will cost you if you put it in your garage.
Buying a new model will require you to make an upfront expense right now but it will save substantially on electricity costs in the long run. Plus, it’s better for the big blue ball we’re all spinning on. If you’ve decided to get a second fridge for your Yorba Linda garage, why not do it right? Invest in a garage-ready fridge that can work efficiently when it gets stiflingly hot or bitterly cold in your garage.
If you’re mostly going to use the garage fridge to store bottled or canned beverages, and not for extra food items, a mini-fridge might be a better option.
Just make sure you keep it out of direct sunlight and plug it directly into an electrical outlet. If you don’t have any outlets in your garage, call an electrician or your garage cabinets company in Laguna Beach to create one for you. Do NOT use an extension cord to run your garage fridge.
Can I Buy An Outdoor Fridge For My Garage?
Outdoor refrigerators are made with electrical components that can handle moisture, fluctuating temperatures, and changing climates. They are built with a thicker layer of insulation, with exteriors made of materials that can tolerate exposure to the elements.
Wow, that sounds great! So, I’m gonna get one for my garage! No, that’s a bad idea. It’s an “outdoor” fridge and is not designed to be used in a covered space like your garage. Outdoor fridges cost a bomb and there’s absolutely no need for you to pay so much more for a fridge that comes with a weather-resistant exterior. Unless you have money to spare! In which case, why not upgrade your garage storage system in Newport Beach and make life easier for you and your family?
Need Help Remodeling Your Garage Storage In Newport Beach? Talk To Us At Garage Excell!
At Garage Excell, we help our clients make their garages an extension of their main living space. One of the most popular ways we do it is by adding extra amenities to the space like a fridge.
Our custom garage storage systems can be designed to accommodate a garage-ready fridge under the countertop for convenience and comfort. The way we do it, it won’t even feel like that the fridge is taking up any space in your garage; it will be a seamless part of your Newport Beach garage cabinet system.
We can also make provisions for a sink with a faucet, a TV, a minibar, and other features for that ultimate man cave transformation you’ve dreamed of. If you need help with your Newport Beach garage organization, or you want to improve the appearance and functionality of your garage storage cabinets, reach out to us for a free design consultation. You can reach us online or call us at 877-573-6637.
