why are british refrigerators so small

 

There are many different answers to this question, but the most oft-cited reason is that it's so hot back in the UK.

This may seem like a weak excuse, but think about how much heat is lost while running your fridge and how much more efficient an icebox would be. Plus, we just want one big freezer section with nothing between our milk and our ice cream!

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for why British refrigerators are so small. _____

Since refrigerators need less space than freezers because they don't need as much cooling power, manufacturers have not reached into the freezer world as often as they did in North America. It's likely that the British climate has something to do with it.

 

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One big reason may be the size of British families. The average household size in the UK is 2.6 people compared to 3.2 people on average in the U.S.[1] This means that families in the UK have a smaller freezer, and therefore less need for a large one.

But why is it so hot there?

Britain's climate can really wear on your back: 38 degrees (25 Celsius) and 90% humidity, with 154 days of sunshine per year [2]. This compares to a mid-summer average of 74 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius) and 42% humidity in North America [3].

It's not just the heat, but also the moisture. In winter, it can get pretty cold in the UK (compared to North America), leading to many places being a frozen tundra. However, in summer it warms up very quickly and stays warm all day long. All this humidity and warmth are huge factors when it comes to running a conventional refrigerator.

 

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So why doesn't everyone just buy an A/C?

Good question! One of the main reasons is that A/C units really aren't good for you on a hot day: The cool air can give you pneumonia [4]. So, people would rather rely on evaporative cooling pads. They're more effective and cheaper in the long run [5]. Another reason is that many people turn on their heaters during the summer, which makes it even hotter.

But don't Americans also have heat and humidity?

To a point. It's less pronounced than in the UK, but Americans still suffer from their share of warm weather. Plus, they're much farther north, so they don't get the sunshine that can keep you cool.

As an example of how humidity can affect refrigerators: During the summer, when there is more moisture in the air, it takes more power for a refrigerator to operate as effectively as possible [6]. If a device's evaporative cooling isn't able to remove the moisture, it will either leak out or collect in the unit [7].

Other than an A/C, how would you solve this problem?

There are several solutions. _____ The main reason that Americans don't get a free cold beverage is that they don't want to do anything to a device they own. It's a personal choice. There are some things you can do, though:

- Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) so that your refrigerator can be protected during times of no power or brownouts (you should still go ahead and buy an A/C too).