Energy Star Fridge

14 years ago

My wife and I doing some major construction in our home. We had selected a Sub-Zero fridge (BI-48S/S). We have since decided that we are going to get our home Energy Star Certified. We have gone through the entire process (insulation, HVAC, etc.), and the last piece is to switch our fridge selection - Sub-Zero's model is not Energy Star rated, yet they say in their literature that they expect to get this certification soon. I stopped in to the appliance shop that we are using, and the only manufacturer that makes Energy Star models in the size and style (48" side-by-side) that we are looking for is Liebherr. Before today, I had never heard of this brand. I am now trying to gather information on their products, and the bulk of the reviews that I have fond have been negative.

Any thoughts on Liebherr, or an other Energy Star that would meet our needs, would be appreciated.

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Comments (6)

59 Dodge
14 years ago
I know when we bought our 48" Jenn-air side by side in 2006, it was energy star rated. I do not know if their latest model is (I'm sure the rules have changed, more stringent), since 2006.
The Fridge has been completely trouble free, filter for ice water is easy to change, and it is easy to clean working parts, since they are on the top. I had thought of getting the SZ when we bought, as we were not price shopping and a friend said "You gotta have the SZ"
Well, I liked the inside of the Jenn-air a lot better, better lighting, 3 different temp zones in fridge compartment with digital readouts etc etc etc. CR also rated the Jenn-air higher than SZ both for features and reliability.
It must be efficient, we have a 2700 sq ft home, in S Calif, and our last electric bill was just under $55
It will be interesting to compare Utility bills once your home is done Unless you live where it is cold in Winter(LOL)

Gary
marthavila
14 years ago
First of all, I advise you to cross post this question to the Appliance forum where you may get a bigger response from Liebherr fridge owners. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about the Liebherr 48" SXS, but I do own a Liebherr refrigerator (36" FD). Frankly, I've been surprised by the few negative comments I've seen here of late about the brand. In contrast, when I was researching appliance products on the GW Appliance forum a couple of years ago, I was inspired to investigate Liebherr because the reviews there were overwhelmingly positive. Bottom line: all appliance brands produce their share of lemons (although some more than others). For any consumer who has had the misfortune to purchase one of those lemons, I can understand the desire to complain loudly. However, from what I can tell, Liebherr enjoys a general reputation of producing refrigeration products that are well-constructed, well-made, energy-efficient and good looking and, in my experience that reputation is justified.
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59 Dodge
14 years ago
Yes, He should repost this in the appliance section.
I did do an Energy Star Search on Jenn-air Fridges.
They give a power usage range for similar Fridges.
In this case the Jenn-airs, that they mentions
(No ice or water thru the door) The Jenn-airs were
off the left side of the chart---ie lower than the
lowest range the graph showed, and Energy Star Rated. This was Jenn-air info thou)
There was a guy here on the appliance forum, that seemed to be very knowlegible about the production of the various Whirlpool appliances.
I bought mine before Jenn-air was bought by Maytag, and Maytag bought by Whirlpool.
It would be interesting, and probably helpful to the OP here, and possibly others to know, Is there a difference in the different Whirlpool Fridges--ie Jenn-air, KA etc etc are the compressors different, etc, or is it like the
Cadillac-Chevy-GMC Truck-Suv line now? They all have the same engine and Tranny, so production just grabs an "Escalade badge" if its a Caddy, or a GMC badge if it's a GMC, etc etc.

Gary
Circus Peanut
14 years ago
Like Marthavilla, I have a Liebherr and am well satisfied with it, in fact I really love it. Mine is the 2008 30" model, and I do not have the ice maker, so comparisons might not be 100% apt, but I believe you can apply the same standards to the solid German construction of all Liebherr models.

Above all it's silent. Silent. We can barely hear it running, and only if we strain. It keeps produce fresher than any fridge I've ever owned, markedly so. The mechanisms are sturdy and the design is truly lovely (fabulous handles! I have friends who come over and just open and shut the thing over and over).

I would buy another Liebherr in a heartbeat. According to the Energy Star card that came with it, it costs me around $14/year to run, which seems pretty darned good. I believe if you purchase from a reputable vendor (mine is from Eurostoves in Boston), you shouldn't have any quality or care issues to worry about even should you get a rare lemon.
davidro1
14 years ago
a note about Energy Star.

it's a set of criteria, and we can easily say that these criteria are fairly arbitrary.
We all know that the criteria will continue to "evolve" and change over the years.

So when one manufacturer doesn't chase that gold star this year, it's not a significant indicator of anything at all.

Too bad for the OP that he doesn't have a lot of choice this year, in this size home refrigeration.

Get the non-icemaker model if you want Energy Star for more than its certificate.

----
2nd subject.

Liebherr is a billion dollar corporation so go ahead and get one.

All reviews on Liebherr in GW have been immensely positive for years except for one FD-door close problem on a new model. No complaints.

I totally disagree with the OP that "reviews" have been negative...
booboo60
14 years ago
We bought an "energy star" Sears kenmore french door fridge. It is the nicest, most quiet fridge we have ever had!! Good luck!

Energy Star Fridge

Comments (6)

59 Dodge

marthavila

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Circus Peanut

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