For many people who are not too technical, it can be quite difficult to understand which refrigerator is better: with one or two compressors. This is a very difficult question indeed. After all, the home appliance market offers such a variety of models. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages.
Today we will tell you what the main differences are and help you figure out which refrigerator is ideal for you.
Comparative characteristics
Outwardly, it is almost impossible to distinguish a single-compressor refrigerator from new models equipped with two motor-compressors. To do this, you need to look at the rear panel of the refrigerator. By doing this, you can see 2 control units and 2 separate cooling circuits. While traditional single-compressor models work from one circuit for both the refrigerator and the freezer. The two-compressor refrigerator is powered by two individually installed units. In fact, these are two separate devices placed one on top of the other. This is the main difference.
However, if you approach the issue more responsibly, you should dwell on each of the characteristics in more detail.
Number of cooling systems
What does this parameter affect? Modern refrigeration units have at least two isolated systems: freezing and cooling. If your refrigerator is equipped with one compressor, then these chambers are connected by a single cooling circuit. With this option, you will not be able to adjust the parameters in them independently of one another.
If the refrigerator has two compressors, the temperature can be adjusted separately for each compartment. This greatly improves the overall efficiency of the refrigerator.
Noise level
Most modern household refrigerators have a fairly comfortable noise level. Indicators can vary from 40 to 45 dB. If your apartment has an isolated kitchen and you are not in this room all the time, such indicators are quite normal and the noise will not be annoying.
If you plan to install a refrigerator in a studio apartment, it is better to choose a two-compressor option. Despite the presence of as many as two compressors, they, oddly enough, emit much less noise. If the TV is working in the room or several people are talking, the sound of the working refrigerator may not be heard at all.
Saving energy
As surprising as it may sound, a twin-engine refrigerator "consumes" less electricity than its single-compressor counterpart. The fact is that each of the compressors individually is less "voracious" than the one that is installed in a single-circuit system. Since we use a freezer much less often than a refrigerator, you will also spend much less electricity. This is due to the fact that the compressor that controls the freezer is turned on very rarely.
Functionality
The set of functions for two-compressor models is often much larger than that of units with one motor. The main "usefulness" that dual circuits can boast of is that, if desired, one of the cameras can be turned off altogether if you do not need it. Another option is also possible. You can make the freezer run more intensely. This is very useful if you need to quickly freeze large quantities of berries, herbs or fruits for the winter.
In addition to superfreezing, you should pay attention to such useful "lotions":
- No Frost system - with it you do not have to think about how to defrost the refrigerator.
- Fresh zone - a compartment for storing products that need to be kept longer, but do not want to freeze. It can maintain an individual humidity level and set a lower temperature, up to 0 C.
- Super Cool - accelerated cooling of water and other drinks.
Both single-chamber and double-chamber units can have such functions. It all depends on the manufacturer, model, and, of course, the price of the refrigerator.
The cost
Of course, two-compressor units are much more expensive than refrigerators with one motor. Sometimes the difference can be up to 25%. And this is in the case when the functional content of the models is approximately the same. Two compressors are most often installed on newer and more expensive models. This means that there is no need to talk about savings in this case.
To decide which is better: 1 or 2 compressors in the refrigerator, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of each of the options.
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Pros and cons of single compressor models
Most people think of single-compressor refrigerators as units with a capacity of no more than 150 liters. They have a small built-in freezer and sometimes none at all. In fact this is not true.
Modern refrigerators equipped with a single compressor can be quite large and roomy. They have many useful functions, and some are able to switch the compressor operation to only one of the chambers at will. This is achieved by installing a special electromagnetic valve in the system. It cuts off one of the circuits and part of the system is no longer supplied with refrigerant. Many modern models also have a separate thermal control system. This means that you can independently adjust the temperature in both the freezer and the refrigerator compartment.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- slightly higher noise level due to the operation of a more powerful motor-compressor;
- the inability to completely turn off one of the chambers, if you need to defrost the refrigerator, you will have to turn it off completely;
- a powerful compressor eats up a little more electricity.
TOP-3 best refrigerators with one compressor
- ATLANT XM 4214-000
- Bosch KGE39XW2AR
- NORD NRT 144-032
See also - Which refrigerator is better - drip or No Frost?
Pros and cons of two-compressor refrigerators
The main disadvantage of two-compressor models is their overpriced. The buyer will have to pay for two motor-compressors at once instead of one. In such conditions, it can be very difficult to make a choice. After all, the functionality of a modern "odnushka" may not be too different. So is it worth paying the increased price?
Pros:
- freezing of food is much faster;
- it is possible, if necessary, to completely turn off the refrigerator compartment if you are leaving somewhere;
- if one of the compressors is out of order, you can use the second compartment, and not completely lose the refrigerator;
- low-power compressors work most often in turns, so each of them produces much less noise;
- only one of the motors is constantly working, therefore such a refrigerator "eats" much less energy.
Minuses:
- when two compressors are operating simultaneously (which happens very rarely), the noise can be comparable to the operation of one powerful compressor;
- the likelihood of breakdown increases, because the more parts a device has, the more likely it is that any of them will fail;
- the difference in price with the same set of functions can reach 25-30%.
TOP 3 best two-compressor refrigerators
- ATLANT XM 6025
- Liebherr SBS 7212
- Vestfrost VF 910 X
Which one is better to choose?
To accurately determine the answer to the question of which refrigerator is worth buying for you, you need to make a small list of working conditions and needs. If you do not perform such an analysis, there is a risk of overpaying a considerable amount for those advantages and functions that you will never need.
How many foods do you usually have in your refrigerator? It is clearly not worth buying a huge two-compressor refrigerator "for growth" and storing a pack of butter and a kilogram of sausages in it. But if you like to stock up on food for future use and the refrigerator is always packed to capacity, then you definitely cannot do without a double-circuit unit. It will help you save a lot.
Where will the refrigerator stand? If you have a very small kitchen or studio apartment, you should consider buying a two-compressor appliance. If the kitchen is large and you spend a little time there, then it makes no sense to overpay only for silence.
Are you planning to make preparations for the winter? If you like to freeze vegetables and fruits for future use or if your freezer is full of fish or meat, you should consider purchasing a dual-circuit refrigerator. So, you can easily provide a difference in chambers of up to 30 C. In single-compressor models, this focus will not work.
How often are the lights turned off in your area? Many modern refrigerator models are able to maintain a given temperature for 24 hours after being turned off. But now, after the electricity appears again, the compressor starts to "catch up" the temperature again, which means it works at full strength. And this is not very good. If the situation repeats itself once every two to three months, nothing bad will happen. But if the light is "cut off" with enviable regularity, you should think about buying a two-compressor refrigerator. In such a situation, the maximum load on each of the compressors will be less. It turns out that they will serve you much longer.
How often do you have to leave for a long time? If you are at home all the time and never turn off the refrigerator for a short vacation, you shouldn't overpay for the ability to operate each of the cameras separately. But if you are not at home for weeks, but you want to have a supply of food all the time, then the ability to leave only the freezer to work can be very useful.
Output
Of course, the presence of a second compressor gives refrigeration technology certain advantages. But whether they are really so significant is a purely individual matter. It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which refrigerator is better: with one or two compressors. It all depends on what kind of result you want to achieve. We really hope that our recommendations and explanations will help you make the right choice, and the new refrigerator will delight you with all its qualities.
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