American Style Fridge Freezers: To Plumb or Not to Plumb?

Features

If you choose an American-style fridge freezer with a water or ice dispenser feature, it’s likely to be plumbed. This means you don’t have to keep your fridge topped up manually; instead, it provides a continuous supply of cold water and ice. Whether you’re a large family with plenty of water bottles to fill or just want fresh ice on demand, these features are designed for convenience. Easily accessible through the fridge freezer door, you can dispense fresh, cool water or ice at the push of a button.

Water Supply

A plumbed fridge freezer is connected to a mains water supply, allowing it to dispense fresh, cool water or ice with ease. When considering a plumbed fridge freezer, you will need to ensure you have space to install a water supply inlet.

Alternatives to Plumbing

Some ice maker machines in American fridge freezers use a water tank that needs to be manually filled, rather than requiring a direct water supply. These appliances have built-in water tanks that must be regularly cleaned and refilled to access ice.

Installation

Regardless of whether you choose a plumbed or non-plumbed fridge freezer, it’s important to ensure you have the appropriate space for your appliance. Installing a plumbed fridge freezer will take more consideration as they will need access to a water inlet tap.

Ice and Water

One of the major benefits of plumbed American-style fridge freezers is access to ice and water. These dispensers can improve convenience within your home, with cool water and fresh ice available at a simple push of a button.

However, that isn’t to say that you cannot get access to fresh ice without buying a plumbed fridge freezer. The in-built tank capacity of manual ice makers within American-style fridge freezers can mean that you can still benefit from this feature, even if you cannot place a plumbed fridge freezer within your home.

View our range of fridge freezers with ice and water dispensers.

Flexibility

Both plumbed and non-plumbed American fridge freezers offer flexibility in different ways. Depending on your lifestyle and needs, you might prefer some benefits over others. Non-plumbed American fridge freezers have the immediate benefit of flexibility when it comes to installation and placement. As they do not need plumbing, they can be placed anywhere within your kitchen or home, and they can be installed quicker and with more ease as they do not need to be plumbed into your water mains.

However, plumbed American-style fridge freezers do offer the flexibility of convenience and consistent supply. They provide a continuous stream of filtered water and ice without the need for manual refilling, making them ideal for busy households or those with high water and ice usage. This constant availability allows users to enjoy these features effortlessly, enhancing the kitchen's functionality.

Maintenance

Non-plumbed American fridge freezers offer simpler maintenance compared to their plumbed counterparts. Without the need for a plumbing connection, there is no risk of leaks or plumbing-related issues, reducing potential repair costs and complications. Maintenance primarily involves cleaning and refilling the water tank, which is straightforward and can be done without professional assistance. This ease of maintenance can be especially advantageous for users seeking a hassle-free appliance with minimal upkeep. While plumbed fridge freezers will require more maintenance, this maintenance ensures high-quality water and ice, but it involves some ongoing costs and effort, providing the benefit of consistently superior water quality with relatively low manual intervention.

Size

Size is important when it comes to finding an American fridge freezer for you. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, you might want a more compact version of this style of appliance, whereas larger families with the space might want a plumbed fridge freezer as a focal point of their kitchen space. Whatever suits your needs, making sure you’ve got the space for it to seamlessly fit into your kitchen design ensures the safety and functionality of your kitchen area.

See our American fridge freezer size guide to get a better idea of what will best fit your kitchen.

Costs

Cost is equally important. You’ll want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your appliance, so finding the right size, features, and design to fit your budget is as important as finding the one that suits your lifestyle. Fridge freezers with more additional features might cost more, so determining what is necessary for your appliance can help control your budget better. Larger fridge freezers, especially with additional features, can also use more energy, leading to higher overall costs, so focusing on the energy efficiency of your appliance is equally important when deciding which to buy.