The History of the Refrigerator
The conventional refrigeration of foods generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to leakage of refrigerant, as well as the consumption of electrical power. In 2019, these emissions made up 3.2 percent of the total UK territorial GHG emissions.
The summer of 1959 was the first time fridges were a common feature in British homes. Prior to 1959, the majority of British households relied on cold slabs kept in the pantry. These were inefficient and did not maintain a constant temperature.
The History of Fridges In The UK
Refrigerators are essential kitchen appliances that help us keep food and drinks fresh for several days. They also are extremely energy efficient. It's easy, though, to forget that refrigerators were once a luxury product. It wasn't until the 1950s when they started to take off. However, even then it took a very hot summer to make them become popular in the UK.
Before refrigerators were invented, people would use the insulated ice containers to keep their food cool. They would gather blocks of ice from lakes during the winter, and then keep them in storage throughout the warmer seasons. However, these ice containers were not ideal. These ice boxes were heavy and needed to be carried by an "ice man". In 1918, the first electric refrigerators were released to the market. However, it took a while before they became common in homes.
Nowadays, fridges are a lot more energy efficient than they were a decade ago. They consume less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges use only 4 kW*h of power per day (equivalent of 170 W continuously). The majority of refrigerators used in homes are energy efficient, with a majority being rated A+.
In the 1950s, manufacturers began to introduce refrigerators with separate freezer compartments. They also began to produce models with a chrome finish, which was extremely popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators have been made available in a variety colours and finishes. In the 1960s, pastel shades like pink and turquoise were very popular. Earth tone colors, like almond and avocado green, became more popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. By the 1990s stainless steel was a popular choice.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people made use of wooden insulated "ice boxes" to store fresh food and beverages. Icemen would bring blocks of frozen ice to fill them, and they would keep cool throughout the year. These ice boxes were generally located in kitchens of wealthy families.
In 1918, the first electric refrigerator was launched. It sat atop of the existing icebox in a home. They were noisy, heavy and expensive. They were also referred to as monitor-tops because of their motor on the top of the cabinet. William C. Durant bought out the Mellowes refrigerator company in 1918 and set up up the Guardian Frigidaire company to mass produce refrigerators. Durant was influenced by a design created by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. It was an absorption refrigerator that used sulfur dioxide as the refrigerant.
In the 1920s, these new refrigerators were affordable for many homes. These refrigerators could hold more food and drinks and kept them cool for longer time than the older ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertisements were imaginative engaging, captivating and full of promises of ice-cold drinks and stylish designs. Vintage ads are interesting to read since they offer us an insight into the lifestyle of the time.
At the end of the 1920s, electric refrigeration was almost everywhere in homes. Electric utilities pushed the trend by offering discounts to customers who purchased refrigerators. The popularity of refrigerators increased even more during the Great Depression when they were considered vital to the survival of the home.
Fridges in the 1950s
Fridges were still relatively rare in the 1920s, but were more common in the 1950s. By the late 1960's, you could find them in most homes (although it is worth noting that you probably wouldn't have found a fridge in every household during those days, as this was a costly luxury for many).
Early refrigerators were utilitarian, simple appliances that matched kitchen decor. They were typically smaller fridges that were mounted on legs and had a variety of colors available (though they were mostly in the pastels, i.e. mint greens). During this period there were a variety of companies manufacturing fridges, including Whirlpool (who had just made a splash as a leading brand), Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
All of these brands were known for their high-quality, reliable refrigerators. They also offered other types of appliances in their product range. For instance, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were famous for their small refrigerators that fit well into smaller areas.
In the 1950's, refrigerators grew more stylish and were promoted as a status symbol for housewives. They were designed to match cabinets and walls of the kitchen, and were typically white and had chrome handles.
Then in the '60s, fridges began to morph into gadget-centric machines that came with things like separate freezer sections as well as ice cube makers. The manufacturers also began to use less expensive materials, which allowed them to sell their products at a lower cost.
Fridges in the 1960s
Fridges finally became a staple in most households in the 1960s, with a lot of families even having two refrigerators. In the 1960s, an average American fridge freezer uk sale cost $600 (roughly $7000 in 2024 dollars). At the end of the decade, the cost was down to $200.
The refrigerator was a significant technological advancement at the time. It transformed kitchens and changed the ways we stored food. The fridge freezers uk sale also boosted home comfort as it helped keep meat and dairy fresher longer, allowing people to buy fridge freezer in bulk and cook meals in advance and put them away for later.
The first refrigerators used poisonous gases like ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide for refrigeration but this was dangerous for humans since these gases escaped from refrigerators. Many people died of poisoning, and it was only in 1929 that a more secure method for cooling food, made of carbon dioxide, was developed.
This means that manufacturers were able to create safer and more efficient refrigerators that could be used in homes, with certain refrigerators having an internal freezer compartment that was accessed through the refrigerator's door. These were referred to as bi-door refrigerators, and were extremely popular during the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1960s fridges were sleeker and more modern. They were curved with soft curves and a sleek look that reflected an era of efficiency and domestic freedom. They were quite large, but the boxy appearance of refrigerators from the 1940s was starting to fade.
Refrigerators Today
Modern fridge freezers come in a variety of colours, styles and finishes that can be customised to match your kitchen and personal style. Some offer sophisticated features that connect to Wi-Fi, providing the ability to quickly change the settings, and some even come with a built-in camera that allows monitoring your fridge from any location.
French door models dominate the market, as consumers seek out modern features and looks like dispensers for water or ice and flexible drawers. In some cases smart screens are included. Some are also rated A, B, or A+ in energy efficiency ratings following changes to the labelling system that is mandatory for refridgerator Uk (Telegra.Ph) appliances.
This Hotpoint model is well-loved for its sleek design. It has an innovative UVNano self-sterilising technology that eliminates the presence of bacteria in the fridge. Also, it has two salad drawers with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large, with plenty of room for jars, bottles and a generous storage compartment for the fridge's door.
Refrigerators without a traditional ice tray could consume four times more power than those with ice makers, so look for one with an environmentally friendly ICE+ option that uses much less energy. You can also save money by selecting a model that has an automatic ice maker. This will provide an ongoing supply of ice ready to use in the morning.
The most effective option to protect the environment is to buy fridges with an energy efficiency rating of A or A+. It's also a good idea to consider the fridge's annual energy consumption as part of your budget for household appliances when choosing an appliance. It is important to remember that the world isn't one where we can afford to take energy for granted. Everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable, abundant electricity to sustain a healthy, comfortable life and protect our planet.