By Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic

Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic

Refrigerators are the single biggest energy consumer in most households. Replacing a refrigerator purchased in 1990 with a more recent Energy Star qualified model can save enough energy to light the average household for five months. Here's how to find the right one for your needs and your pocketbook.

All refrigerators work basically the same way. Spending more will get you a quieter compressor muffled by thicker insulation and more cosmetic features — like a computerized shopping list, a stainless-steel front or a fancy door that matches your cabinets.

There are three basic configurations to choose from: side by side, freezer on top, or freezer on bottom. We like the freezer on the bottom configuration best. The less-utilized freezer section is down below, and fresh food is higher up and therefore easier to see.

Side-by-side refrigerators often come with extra features like ice machines, but they're usually more expensive. We've also found that freezers with this configuration don't fit as many odd-shaped items (like pizza boxes).

While handy, icemakers are notorious for breaking down and can be a costly repair. If you can't live without one, make sure the warranty covers icemaker repairs.

You'll need 16 to 20 cubic feet for two people. Add an extra foot for every person.

Glass shelves are sturdy and easy to clean, but they do show spills more easily. If you go for a refrigerator with wire shelves, look for a heavy gage, and make sure the wires are close together and have center support.

Stainless steel looks great, but it shows fingerprints, scratches easily and can be hard to keep clean, especially if you have lots of little kids running around.

(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic host The Shopping Bags. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)