Editing Refrigerator (section)

== Types of domestic refrigerators ==
Domestic refrigerators and freezers for food storage are made in a range of sizes. Among the smallest is a {{convert|4|L|cuft|adj=on}} Peltier refrigerator advertised as being able to hold 6 cans of beer. A large domestic refrigerator stands as tall as a person and may be about {{convert|1|m|ft}} wide with a capacity of {{convert|600|L|cuft}}. Some models for small [[household]]s fit under kitchen work surfaces, usually about {{convert|86|cm|in}} high. Refrigerators may be combined with freezers, either stacked with refrigerator or freezer above, below, or side by side. A refrigerator without a frozen food storage compartment may have a small section just to make ice cubes. Freezers may have drawers to store food in, or they may have no divisions (chest freezers).

Refrigerators and freezers may be free-standing, or built into a kitchen's cabinet.

Three distinct classes of refrigerator are common:

===Compressor refrigerators===
*Compressor refrigerators are by far the most common type; they make a noticeable noise, but are most efficient and give greatest cooling effect. Portable compressor refrigerators for [[recreational vehicle]] (RV) and camping use are expensive but effective and reliable. Refrigeration units for commercial and industrial applications can be made in various sizes, shapes and styles to fit customer needs. Commercial and industrial refrigerators may have their compressors located away from the cabinet (similar to [[Air conditioning#Split systems|split system air conditioners]]) to reduce noise nuisance and reduce the load on air conditioning in hot weather.

===Absorption refrigerator===
*[[Absorption refrigerator]]s may be used in caravans and trailers, and dwellings lacking electricity, such as farms or rural cabins, where they have a long history. They may be powered by any heat source: gas (natural or propane) or kerosene being common. Models made for camping and RV use often have the option of running (inefficiently) on 12 volt battery power.

===Peltier refrigerators===
*[[Thermoelectric cooling|Peltier refrigerators]] are powered by electricity, usually 12 volt DC, but mains-powered wine coolers are available. Peltier refrigerators are inexpensive but inefficient and become progressively more inefficient with increased cooling effect; much of this inefficiency may be related to the temperature differential across the short distance between the "hot" and "cold" sides of the [[Peltier cell]]. Peltier refrigerators generally use heat sinks and fans to lower this differential; the only noise produced comes from the fan. Reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the Peltier cells results in a heating rather than cooling effect.

Other specialized cooling mechanisms may be used for cooling, but have not been applied to domestic or commercial refrigerators.

===Magnetic refrigerator===
*[[Magnetic refrigeration|Magnetic refrigerator]]s are refrigerators that work on the magnetocaloric effect. The cooling effect is triggered by placing a metal alloy in a magnetic field.<ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news64851465.html "Towards the magnetic fridge"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207135221/http://www.physorg.com/news64851465.html |date=7 December 2008 }}. ''Physorg''. 21 April 2006</ref>
*[[Acoustic refrigerator]]s are refrigerators that use resonant linear reciprocating motors/alternators to generate a sound that is converted to heat and cold using compressed helium gas. The heat is discarded and the cold is routed to the refrigerator.