Buying a new fridge, freezer or fridge freezer does not have to be complicated or expensive. At Pro Witgoed you will find an honest, easy-to-follow range for anyone who wants to combine buying fridges & freezers with a keen price and a reliable warranty. Whether you are a first-time buyer kitting out your first flat, a landlord who needs several appliances at once, or simply someone replacing an ageing fridge, this article will help you make the right choice.
Buying fridges & freezers: what should you look out for?
Before you order a fridge or freezer, it pays to stop and think about a few key decisions. The wrong choice costs you money not only at the checkout, but for years afterwards, through a higher energy bill or too little storage space.
The four most important factors are:
- Type of appliance: fridge, freezer, fridge freezer, American fridge freezer or chest freezer
- Capacity: expressed in net litres — not the external size, but the usable space inside
- Energy rating: from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) — a direct influence on your monthly energy costs
- Dimensions: height, width and depth have to suit the available space and get through the doorway
Choosing the right type has a direct effect on your energy bill. A large American fridge freezer simply uses more electricity than a compact under counter model. If you judge your own use well, you only pay for what you really need.
A brief overview of the types available:
- Fridge: cooling only, suitable for small households or as an extra appliance
- Freezer: freezing only, available as an upright model or as a chest freezer
- Fridge freezer: cooling and freezing in one appliance, the most popular choice for households
- American fridge freezer: a large side-by-side layout, ideal for bigger families
- Chest freezer: a horizontal freezer with a large capacity, popular in a storage room or garage
Which type of cooling appliance suits you?
The right type depends on your home, your household and the way you use it. The overview below will help you narrow things down.
A fridge freezer, or separate appliances?
| Situation | Fridge freezer | Separate fridge + freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Limited space | Advantage: a single footprint | Drawback: two appliances needed |
| Budget | One purchase, lower total spend | Two purchase prices |
| Large freezer capacity needed | Limited freezer compartment | Advantage: a separate large freezer is possible |
| Energy | One compressor | Two compressors, higher consumption |
When should you choose an under counter model? An under counter fridge is ideal for small kitchens, student rooms or as extra cooling. It fits under a worktop and takes up very little room. The drawback: capacity is limited, usually between 40 and 100 litres.
When should you choose a larder model? A larder fridge gives you more capacity and fits most standard kitchens. For the majority of households this is the most practical choice.
When should you choose an integrated model? If you have a fitted kitchen and want to hide the fridge behind a cupboard door, an integrated fridge is the right option. Pay close attention to the niche height and the cabinet size.
Advice for first-time buyers: Go for a fridge freezer of 180 to 200 litres. That is enough for one or two people, takes up little space and is cheaper to buy and to run than a larger model. The Heinner range has excellent options here without the brand premium.
Advice for landlords: Choose robust, low-maintenance models that offer good value for money. Heinner appliances are built to last, easy to replace and come with a 5 year warranty, which greatly reduces the risks that come with letting. Ordering several at a time is no problem; just get in touch with our customer service team.
Fridge freezers
A fridge freezer combines a fridge compartment and a freezer compartment in one appliance. That saves space and costs less than buying two separate appliances. You also have only one plug and one compressor.
When choosing, look at how the space is split between the fridge and freezer sections. A common ratio is around 70% cooling and 30% freezer capacity. If you want more freezer capacity, look for models with a larger freezer compartment, or consider adding a separate freezer.
Separate fridges and freezers
Sometimes a separate appliance is the better choice. Do you already have a fridge but want more freezer capacity? Then a separate freezer is the answer. Or do you have a big freezer but need extra fridge capacity for drinks and vegetables? In that case a small separate fridge will do the job.
Freestanding freezers are upright and look much like a fridge. They fit easily into a kitchen or utility room. A chest freezer is horizontal, usually holds more and is popular in a garage or storage room. Less convenient in daily use because you reach in from above, but cheaper per litre of freezer capacity.
The energy rating on fridges and freezers: what does it really mean?
Since 2021 a revised A to G energy rating scale has applied to fridges and freezers. Many appliances that used to be rated A, A+ or A++ now fall into lower classes such as C, D or E. That sounds worse than it is — the scale has simply become stricter.
What does a better rating actually save you? A fridge rated C uses an average of 100–150 kWh per year. An appliance rated E can head towards 200–250 kWh. At an electricity price of €0.30 per kWh, that soon comes to €15 to €30 a year. Over five years it adds up to €75–€150.
Heinner appliances score well for their price bracket. They come with a clear energy rating, so you know exactly where you stand.
Is a lower energy rating always a bad thing? Not necessarily. If the purchase price is considerably lower, the overall picture can still work out in your favour. Do the sums yourself: divide the difference in purchase price by the difference in annual energy costs and you have your payback time.
Why choose Heinner fridges & freezers at Pro Witgoed?
Heinner is a European appliance brand that offers the same functionality as the big name brands, but without the brand premium those names charge you. The difference is not in the quality, but in the marketing costs that you, as a consumer, help to pay for at the big brands.
At Pro Witgoed we have deliberately chosen Heinner because the brand matches our core promise: the best possible value for money for the customer. The concrete advantages at a glance:
- 5 year full warranty on every Heinner appliance — no exceptions, no small print
- Free delivery to your home, with no additional delivery charges
- Available straight from stock — no waiting for weeks
- Transparent product information — you know exactly what you are buying
- No hidden costs — the price you see is the price you pay
Landlords who buy several appliances at once can count on direct, personal service from Pro Witgoed. Do get in touch about larger orders.
Browse all fridges & freezers in our range, or check our current offers for the keenest deals of the moment.
Dimensions and positioning: avoid surprises on delivery
A common mistake is ordering an appliance without measuring the space properly. Always take three measurements: the height, width and depth of the available space. And do not forget to measure the doorway — a fridge that will not go through the kitchen door is an expensive problem.
Practical measuring rules:
- Measure the available space allowing at least 1 cm of clearance on either side
- Take the door hinges into account: the fridge door needs room to swing open as well
- Freestanding models have ventilation requirements: leave at least 5 cm free at the back and 2 cm at the sides
- Always compare the net capacity in litres alongside the external dimensions — a compact fridge with a clever layout can hold more than its measurements suggest
Under counter models generally fit beneath a worktop 85–90 cm high. Larder models are 85 cm wide as standard, or slim (55–60 cm), and range in height from 140 to 200 cm.
Integrated fridges
An integrated fridge is the better option if you have a fitted kitchen and want the fridge to disappear into the design. The appliance sits behind a cupboard door and lines up seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen units.
With integrated fridges, pay close attention to the niche height: the usual sizes are 102 cm, 122 cm and 177 cm. The cabinet opening has to match the stated niche height of the appliance exactly. Also check how the cupboard door is fixed to the appliance — not all models work with every system.
Frequently asked questions about buying fridges & freezers
What is the difference between a fridge freezer and a separate fridge?
A fridge freezer has both a fridge compartment and a freezer compartment in a single appliance. A separate fridge only cools. If you also want to freeze food, a separate fridge always means you need a second appliance for freezing.
Which energy rating is best on a fridge or freezer?
The higher up the alphabet (A is the most efficient, G the least), the lower the energy consumption. Choose the best rating your budget allows. Bear in mind that today's scale is stricter than the old one — a C rating now is comparable to a former A rating.
Does Pro Witgoed deliver fridges free of charge?
Yes. Delivery from Pro Witgoed is always free, with no additional costs. The appliance is brought to your home.
How long is the warranty on a Heinner fridge or freezer?
Every Heinner appliance from Pro Witgoed comes with a 5 year full warranty. That applies to fridges, freezers, fridge freezers and chest freezers.
What is a chest freezer, and when should I choose one?
A chest freezer is a horizontal freezer with a large freezing volume. You would choose one if you freeze a lot — seasonal vegetables, meat or ready meals in bulk, for example. They are suitable for use in a garage or storage room and are cheaper per litre of freezer capacity than a freestanding freezer.
Can I order several fridges from Pro Witgoed as a landlord?
You can. Pro Witgoed also supplies landlords and larger buyers. Contact our customer service team for information about ordering several appliances at a time.
What should I measure before I buy a fridge?
Measure the height, width and depth of the available space and the width of the doorway (or doorways) the appliance will come through, and allow for ventilation space around the appliance. Then compare the external dimensions of the fridge and the net capacity in litres.
Is Heinner a reliable brand for fridges and freezers?
Heinner is a European appliance brand with a wide range and a good reputation in the affordable mid-market. At Pro Witgoed the appliances come with a 5 year warranty, which underlines that reliability further. You are not paying for a brand name, but you are still getting a genuinely good product.
Ready to choose? Browse the full range of fridges & freezers at Pro Witgoed and find the appliance that suits your space, your habits and your budget — with no hidden costs and a warranty that really means something.
