What is the climate class of the refrigerator

When choosing a refrigerator, you need to pay attention to the climate class of the option you like. This feature is just as important as power consumption or the number of cameras.

This is an indicator that sets the temperature and humidity ranges in which it is recommended to use one or another model. For example, if one refrigerator is operated in the Far North, and the other in the southern regions (with their long summers), they must be of different climate classes. Because the first one works in the conditions of severe frosts, and the second - with constant heat and dry air.

How to find out the climate class of a refrigerator

Take a look at the accompanying documents - This key indicator is mandatory in the instructions and in the passport.
Look at the summary sticker, which can be found either on the rear (side) panel of the case, or inside one of the cameras.

The benefits of climate information when buying a refrigerator

Based on this indicator, it is easy to understand whether the model you like is suitable for the home (or office), and how rational and safe it is to use it at current temperature and humidity.

Attention! Operation of the refrigerator in conditions that do not correspond to its climatic class increases the likelihood of its breakdown and leads to a decrease in the quality of its work, and therefore to a deterioration in food storage.

Also, this information is useful because it gives a general idea of the design features and technical characteristics of the model you like. This indicator is directly related to energy consumption, motor power, quality of thermal insulation and heat exchange area of equipment.

Types of climatic classes of refrigerators

In general, there are 4 of them:

N - normal, normal;
SN - subnormal, subnormal;
ST - subtropical, subtropical;
T - tropical, tropical.

Important! Warranty from the manufacturer applies only to those refrigerators that are operated in accordance with their climatic class. If during the diagnosis it turns out that the equipment broke down because it worked in unsuitable conditions for it, the owner will have to pay for its repair, in whole or in part. And this despite the current warranty period.

So you need to understand how N differs from ST, and when to give preference to the first, and when to the second. To better navigate, consider all 4 types in more detail, focusing on the key features of each.

Normal class and its characteristic

This is a versatile option for use at moderate temperatures. (16 to 32 degrees Celsius). The N-segment presents budget models with, as a rule, low energy consumption - the most popular choice for apartments and residential buildings due to its economy.

It is also permissible to use at temperatures above +32⁰C, if the room is air-conditioned, or below +16⁰C if the room is heated.

Subnormal class and its characteristics

This type is more focused on industrial use. The working range starts already at 10 degrees Celsius and reaches the same 32. SN-coolers have slightly higher energy consumption than normal ones, but they break much less often when working in rooms with unstable or poor heating.

Models of this category are installed in basements, cold corridors, utility rooms. A separate and quite popular field of application is industrial (in small industries).

Subtropical class and its characteristics

Designed for regions and rooms with increased humidity and relatively high (mainly) temperatures. Working range shifted: starts at +18⁰C, but comes to +38. Representatives of this class are good for their resistance to seasonal climate fluctuations, but they break relatively often when working in cold rooms. Therefore, when operating them in the winter, it is necessary to carefully monitor the quality of heating of the room in which they are installed.

Tropical class and its characteristic

This category was created for regions with very dry air and high temperatures. T-models can not stand the heat, because they can be operated in the range from 18 to 43 degrees Celsius.

Tropical representatives have high energy consumption, and this is one of the reasons why they have earned relatively little popularity in the vast expanses of post-Soviet countries.

Double climate classes, their originality

Manufacturers are increasingly releasing models designed for a wider (than standard) temperature range. Their marking and the breadth of the operating mode are as follows:

N-ST - from 16 to 38 degrees Celsius;
SN-ST - from 10 to 38;
N-T - from 16 to 43;
SN-T - from 10 to 43.

The peculiarity lies in the additional thermal insulation of the chambers: the thicker its layer (in the general case), the wider the working range.

What are multiclass refrigerators

They are considered models that support 4 temperature operating conditions, that is, are in the SN-T category. Today they are represented in the collections of such flagships of the market as Liebherr and Whirlpool, and impress with their versatility.

When choosing a multi-class refrigerator, it is important to remember that its energy consumption is A +. In operation, it will cost much more than usual.