Dawlance 9173WB E-Chrome

Description

The 9173 sits at 13-14 cubic feet (328 litres) in Dawlance’s range, which puts it with a family of four to six.

Capacity and layout

13-14 cubic feet (328 litres), double door with the freezer mounted on top, built on the wide body cabinet. Suited to a family of four to six. If you are torn between this and the next size up, the larger one usually wins in practice: a fridge packed tight runs warmer and works its compressor harder than one with room for air to move.

Metallic body, 45 percent energy saving

E-Chrome is the metallic-bodied trim, rated up to 45 percent more efficient than the older conventional models and cooling around 30 percent faster. It uses R600a refrigerant, which carries a far lower environmental burden than the older gases and is straightforward to source locally for a top-up.

Cooling and refrigerant

Direct cool, using R600a. R600a runs at lower pressure than the older refrigerants, which tends to make the compressor quieter, and it is readily available locally if the system ever needs recharging.

Placement

Leave a hand’s width behind and above the cabinet. A refrigerator sheds its heat through the back, and pushed flat against a wall in a hot kitchen it will run far longer than it needs to. Keep it out of direct sun and away from the cooker if the layout allows.