Refrigerators are a must-have appliance in many homes and businesses. They help keep your drinks chilled and your food fresh and healthy for longer.
However, owning a fridge comes with a price tag. Aside from buying the fridge itself, you have to contend with paying higher energy bills.
In a bid to cut down on energy costs and protect the environment, shoppers are now opting for more energy-efficient and eco-friendlier appliances.
When it comes to eco-friendly and energy-efficient refrigerators, Liebherr and Miele pop up as two of the most popular options.
This brings us to the big question – is Liebherr the same as Miele? Keep reading to find out!
Is Liebherr the same as Miele?
No. Liebherr and Miele are not the same. They are two different brands and entities with different owners.
The only common aspect about these two companies is that they were founded in Germany and they have production sites in the same country.
Liebherr is a family-owned company that specializes in the production of construction machines, agricultural machinery, mining equipment, transportation systems, refrigerators, and other domestic and commercial appliances.
The company was founded in 1949 by German inventor, Hans Liebherr. After moving their headquarters to Bulle, Switzerland in 1983, the company has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the biggest manufacturers of refrigerators not only in Europe but also in the world.
Miele is equally a popular name in the manufacturing industry. The company was founded in 1899 in Germany, making them one of the oldest manufacturers in the world.
Miele specializes in the production of a wide range of domestic and commercial appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, convection ovens, and coffee makers.
Anyone looking for an eco-friendly and energy-efficient refrigerator will never go wrong with Liebherr and Miele products.
What makes Liebherr and Miele popular with customers is their focus on producing high-quality, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly refrigerators.
Both companies use the latest technology to produce refrigeration units that meet the highest standards of quality.
Another vital aspect of these two companies is their focus on sustainability.
Both Liebherr and Miele use ecologically friendly materials in their production processes to ensure that they reduce the impact of their products on the environment.
Read Is Gaggenau Better Than Miele?
What Makes A refrigerator Eco-Friendly?
An eco-friendly refrigerator is any fridge that has the least impact on the environment and consumes the least amount of power per year.
Eco-friendly refrigerators are manufactured using green processes that focus on safeguarding the environment.
Every stage of the refrigerator’s lifecycle, from production, use to disposal, emphasizes on environmental protection.
Besides, they consist of components that are made from ecologically friendly materials such as recycled plastic and glass.
The essence of an eco-friendly refrigerator is to reduce greenhouse emissions, and as a result, reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
Unlike traditional refrigerators, eco-friendly refrigerators do not emit harmful gases or compounds into the air.
Read Liebherr Monolith Vs. Gaggenau.
What is the most environmentally friendly fridge?
The most environmentally friendly fridge is one that does not release Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) into the atmosphere.
CFCs and HCFCs are a type of gas or fluid that is used by refrigerants in the refrigeration cycle to dispel heat from the fridge. The gases contain hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.
These compounds are not harmful to humans but they cause severe damage to the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere further leading to global warming.
Any fridge that uses a refrigerant that contains chlorofluorocarbons is not considered eco-friendly.
Fortunately, with advancements in research and technology, manufacturers are now producing refrigerators that do not use Hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerants.
Instead, they use safer alternatives like isobutene and carbon dioxide, which are harmless to the ozone layer.
Excellent examples of CFC- and HCFC-free, environmentally friendly refrigerators include:
Which fridge is the most energy-efficient?
The top-mount freezer refrigerator is the most energy-efficient fridge. This type of refrigerator consumes the least amount of energy, 10-30% less energy compared to similar models of bottom freezers and side-by-side refrigerators.
According to the ENERGY STAR®, most modern top freezer refrigerators are so efficient that they use less energy than a regular 60-watt light bulb.
However, this will depend on whether the fridge has an ice-maker/dispenser. One with an ice-maker tends to consume more power than one without an ice dispenser.
However, so many factors come into play when determining the energy efficiency of a refrigerator. These include:
- Size of the refrigerator
- Frequency of door opening
- Internal compartment temperature
- Thermostat setting
- Proximity to sources of heat
- Room temperature
Why are old fridges bad for the environment?
Old fridges are bad for the environment because they release chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere as a result, damaging the ozone layer.
These old refrigerators use CFC and HCFC refrigerants that emit greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment.
That’s not all. Old fridges are also made from materials that contain chemicals that could possibly harm the environment.
The insulation used around older refrigerators is usually injected with CFCs to create bubbles that enhance the insulating properties of the material.
This insulation must be recovered before disposing of the fridge or else the CFCs will find their way into the atmosphere and cause damage to the ozone layer.
What can I use instead of a refrigerator?
Some of the alternatives that you can use instead of a refrigerator include:
- Zeer pot (pot-in-pot cooler)
- Root cellars
- Water coolers
- Spring houses
- Freezer packs
- Propane fridges
As much as refrigerators are essential appliances, they have a few shortcomings. First, the energy requirements and costs associated with running a refrigerator can take a toll on your finances.
Then again, refrigerators last for 15 to 20 years, meaning some concerns may arise during disposal.
The good news is that you can overcome these obstacles and shortcomings by opting for the alternatives mentioned above.
Are fridges bad for the environment?
Fridges are not bad for the environment. However, older refrigerators may be harmful to the environment given that they use CFC and HCFC refrigerants that emit greenhouse gases that damage the ozone layer.
Modern fridges are CFC-free, making them safe for the environment and the ozone layer.
Many manufacturers like Liebherr and Miele are now producing refrigerators that are more energy-efficient and eco-friendlier subsequently addressing all concerns related to conserving the environment.
Final thoughts
If you are searching for an eco-friendly refrigerator, look no further than Liebherr and Miele.
These two brands are renowned for producing environmentally friendly refrigerators and appliances to fit your needs.
Besides, their fridges are energy efficient thus, ensuring you enjoy fresher and healthier foods without worry about escalating energy costs.
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