Refrigerators typically have freezers inside them for a few reasons:
Convenience: Having a freezer compartment within the refrigerator allows for easy access to frozen food items. It provides a space to store items like frozen vegetables, meats, ice cream, and other frozen goods conveniently alongside perishable items in the refrigerator section. This setup allows users to have both refrigeration and freezing capabilities in a single appliance.
Temperature Control: By incorporating a freezer compartment within the refrigerator, manufacturers can control the temperature of both sections more effectively. The freezer is typically colder than the refrigerator section, allowing it to maintain sub-zero temperatures necessary for freezing and long-term storage of food.
Energy Efficiency: Having the freezer compartment integrated into the refrigerator allows for shared cooling mechanisms and insulation. This setup optimizes the cooling process, reducing the overall energy consumption compared to having separate refrigeration and freezer units.
On the other hand, standalone freezers exist for those who require additional freezing capacity or have specific needs for long-term storage of frozen items. These standalone freezers are designed to operate at colder temperatures and offer larger storage space dedicated solely to freezing.
While it is possible to have a refrigerator without a freezer compartment, it is less common because the convenience and versatility of having both refrigeration and freezing capabilities in a single unit are widely desired by consumers.