New Maytag fridges, are they good?

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I'm considering buying a new Maytag fridge. Has anyone had any experience with the MTBXX56G line of refrigerators? I'm wondering if they work as well as I've heard. They're supposed to be super efficient. We live off the grid, have had another child and our propane fridge is too small for our needs. From what I've seen these new Maytags are about half the cost as some of the RE type electric refrigerators. Do they really use as little energy as they claim? Are they for real? Do they work well? Anyone have any ideas on where I can unload the propane fridge if I pull the trigger on this decision?

-- Ted in North Central Texas (wout@airmail.net), September 28, 2001

Answers

there was a story in the current issue of HOMEPOWER magazine about a Maytag refrig. I can't recall the exact model number, I have the magazine lying around here somewhere. Anyway, the reason they purchased it was its super low energy consumption. Perhaps you can email or call out to the folks at HOMEPOWER mag and ask them. Then let us all know, I for one would be very curious to know.

Gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), September 28, 2001.


Just a question, how do you cope with the heat here in Texas, living off the grid? Do you have air condionting? If so how do you run it? I would love to get rid of the high utilitys. But it's so hot here it's hard to even sleep at night when we have the 100 degree days.

-- Ruby (mcfays451@aol.com), September 28, 2001.

You got any Amish families around there? They love them Gas fridges.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), September 28, 2001.

Ruby, I live in Texas, and do not have air conditioning. 50 years ago almost no one in Texas had air conditioning and lived productive, happy lives. I'm not really sure of what the difference is between the people who 'have to have' air conditioning and the people who 'have to have' cocaine.

-- paul (wprimeroselane@msn.com), September 28, 2001.

I'm sorry you took my question the way you did. I was serious about the question. I have lived in central Texas all my life. I did not have air conditioning when I was growing up. I think as we get older our bodies just does not take the heat like it use to. The remark about cocaine I thank was uncalled for. I'm new to the forum so I guess I'll just keep my mouth shut from now on.

-- Ruby (mcfays451@aol.com), September 28, 2001.


Hi,

Ruby, don't worry about the "coke" remark, we're not all like that and it was a bad choice of words - so speak up whenever you want to.

I don't have air conditioning either, but have tolerated these Georgia summers for close to ten years without it. Would I like air conditioning? You bet, but not at the expense it would cost to put in a system and run it day in and day out. I grew up without a/c and then moved into a new house which had it. My bills were never under 250 a month. I've learned to live without it and so has my family and no one's complained too much. I guess it is just whatever you get used to, but there are those hot days when all I want to do is crawl into my fridge and sit there :>}.

As far as refrigerators go, I just read in my Nasa Tech Briefs of a new technology which could benefit everyone. Nasa has developed a new solar powered refrigerator technology which doesn't use batteries as collectors. It is a vacuum compressed technology which will enable off grid users to have a regular size fridge without the worry of batteries. Anyway it's coming down the pike as Nasa has realized the patent and put it on the market for commercial development. Once that technology gets into the marketplace, the price will go down enough to be commercially viable so regular folks will have a choice between an electric fridge and a solar powered one. I, for one, think it's about time! I don't know anything about Maytag fridges, so would check with Consumer Reports to see how they rate the new one.

Best always, Cindy

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), September 28, 2001.


Boy did this thread get off topic! Yes, people did live without AC for hundreds of years in Texas. They acclimated to the hot weather and so can you. Most of us don't want to acclimate because that's not comfortable. We've acclimated and it's not so bad. We use fans and have two small 5000 Btu air conditioners that take the edge off the heat on the hottest days. The AC doesn't run very often because that usually requires running the generator, adversely affecting the wallet. On a 105 degree day an 85 degree night feels pretty cool. If you live in artificially controlled 72 degree environments then an 85 degree night doesn't feel so cool. Take the cocaine remark a little lighter. It was definitely appropriate comparing one being hooked on a drug to another being "hooked" on cooler temperatures. They didn't say you are a drug addict. It seems everyone has a right to be offended these days...

-- Ted in North Central Texas (wout@airmail.net), September 28, 2001.

Ted, since my husband had heart surgery this year we have had to have air conditioning as when its very warm my husband can't seem to breath. Frankly, its expensive and I freeze alot but he is worth the cost and inconveniance. I dont think he would survive long without air conditioning so yes some people require it.

-- Wynema Passmore/Ar (nemad_72039@yahoo.com), September 29, 2001.

But don't you agree, Wynema, that your husband is the exception and not the rule? Malaria victims need to stay cool also. In fact, air conditioning was invented by a doctor to cure malaria. Of course the first AC units kept a very small berth cool. Once someone was cured from malaria they didn't need the AC anymore. My 3 year old son had open heart surgery at 9 months of age. He's fully recovered and living off the grid, without the temperature artificially maintained at 72 degrees. I pray that your husband has a full recovery and is able to breathe normally again.

-- Ted in North Central Texas (wout@airmail.net), September 29, 2001.

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