Side Clearance – Plan for between one-half inch to one inch of clearance on both sides of the unit. Rear Clearance – Allow between one to two inches of space at the rear of the refrigerator for proper airflow. Top Clearance – Ensure there is a minimum of one-half inch to one inch of clearance on top of the unit.
There should also be a space of 1-2 inches on the back of the fridge to allow proper air circulation. Newer refrigerator models have their coils at the back so leaving space is imperative to have proper ventilation. On each of the sides, there should be a space of 1/2-1 inch.
Measure the Ventilation Space
The refrigerator will need minimum clearances of 2 inches from the back wall, 1-inch from the upper cabinet and 1/8-inch on either side of the fridge.
Remember to leave 25 mm of free space around the top, back and sides to allow for the heat produced during refrigeration to escape. Be sure to also measure clearance (entryways, doorways etc.) to ensure that when your fridge is delivered it will fit safely into the home, and your old fridge can be safely removed.
Yes, a 35.75" refrigerator should fit in a 36" space, as long as you also take into account extra space needed for air circulation and operating the refrigerator's doors. The depth of the refrigerator is important as well; most refrigerators are 24-36 inches deep.
Allow for ventilation space
This heat is released outside of the fridge, so you need to make sure you allow space for proper ventilation. Leave at least 7 or 8cm of space between the back of the fridge and the wall to allow for the fridge's plug, and for ventilation.
WHAT ARE STANDARD REFRIGERATOR DIMENSIONS? You can expect standard refrigerator dimensions to range between 62 to 72 inches tall, 29 to 36 inches deep, and 24 to 40 inches wide. These are typically average-size fridges that are most commonly sold.
Ensures a reasonable space surrounds the refrigerator.
Make sure that the product is at least 10cm away from the wall. Keep a gap of at least 2.5cm between the top of the refrigerator door and the cabinet in which the refrigerator is installed.
The following are general minimum clearances for refrigerators: 1/8" up to 1" inch of clearance on each side. 1" on the top (this is above the case, not the hinge). 1" to 2" in the back.
Our Top Pick: LG produces excellent refrigerators that perform well in our tests and receive high satisfaction ratings from consumers, including our survey participants. The Smart French Door Refrigerator with Dual Ice Maker stands out for its simple, user-friendly design and customizable features.
In conclusion, the standard cabinet opening for a refrigerator is typically around 36 inches in width, 70 to 72 inches in height, and 24 to 25 inches in depth for a standard depth refrigerator. These measurements can vary based on factors such as refrigerator type, manufacturer, and regional building codes.
As a rule of thumb, allow for a single-door fridge around 800mm in width and 780mm in depth. A French-door fridge that contains a double door is around 1200mm wide and 850mm deep. On top of that, check your fridge's required ventilation space in the manual to incorporate this space into your planning.
A minimum of 200 cm2 of ventilation must be provided at both the top and the bottom of the cabinetry to allow correct airflow. Without the correct amount of ventilation, a cooling appliance cannot run or cool inside properly, longer running times will result and therefore higher energy costs will be incurred.
Which refrigerator brand is most reliable? All three of the appliance experts we spoke to for this roundup said Whirlpool and LG were the most reliable refrigerator brands due to their durability, reliability and ease of repairs. Samsung and GE were also mentioned by our experts as high-quality fridges.
Do not install the refrigerator near an oven, radiator or other heat source because that may cause it to work harder to stay cool. The fridge must be near an electrical outlet. If your fridge has ice and water dispensers, it must also be near a water line.
Top-freezers are more reliable than other types of refrigerators, including the coveted French-door style, but our members generally like top-freezers and side-by-sides less than other fridge types.
If you don't allow enough space, the fridge will have to work harder to stay cool, which could shorten its lifespan and will definitely cost you more in electricity bills. "We generally recommend allowing at least 5cm on each side, 10cm on top and 5cm at the rear," says Ashley.
Side Clearance – Plan for between one-half inch to one inch of clearance on both sides of the unit. Rear Clearance – Allow between one to two inches of space at the rear of the refrigerator for proper airflow. Top Clearance – Ensure there is a minimum of one-half inch to one inch of clearance on top of the unit.
The 40-inch clearance is measured from any countertop or the face of any appliance (excluding handles and controls) that projects into the kitchen to the opposing cabinet, countertop, appliance, or wall. Refrigerators vary greatly in depth and may extend up to eight inches beyond cabinet faces.
Measure the width under the upper cabinets, between countertops and at the base between the walls, cabinets or baseboard trim. Use the shortest of these measurements when selecting your new refrigerator to guarantee it will fit in the space.
While counter-depth fridges are virtually flush with counters and cabinets, standard-depth refrigerators are typically 30–36 inches deep and can stick out half a foot or more past countertops.
Standard-depth refrigerators typically measure 30 to 35 inches in depth, as opposed to counter-depth refrigerators that sit flush with cabinetry. 3 Allow 3.75" of clearance when installing along a wall. This will allow for the door to open 90 degrees without the handle contacting the wall.