You’re not the only one who has wondered why some freezers lack lights. A recent Today I Found Out article explains why this is the case. There are many reasons for this, including the cost of adding light to your freezer and consumer preferences. Hopefully, these reasons will help you decide if adding a light to your freezer is worth it.
Cost-benefit principle
Robert Frank, an economist, says that the cost of having lights in freezers is too high compared to the benefits they provide consumers. Adding light to freezers would increase the cost of manufacturing fridges, but it would increase the benefits to consumers. A refrigerator without a light is a common option for most consumers.
This cost-benefit principle explains why some freezers do not have lights. The lights could be turned on automatically and there would be no additional cost since the cost of the lighting system is the same as the fridge. Access to food would be easier since people open the fridge rather than the freezer.
The reason freezers don’t come with lights is because they aren’t very useful. Freezers are usually packed with items, which means that the lights won’t illuminate everything. Many freezers are drawer units, and not front- or top-opening. This has little effect on blocking light.
According to a study conducted by Mental Floss, consumers do not value the lights on freezers. Therefore, manufacturers would rather save money by not installing them. After all, people spend more time in the fridge than in the freezer. A freezer light is of limited benefit to consumers.
Low maintenance
A low-maintenance freezer is one that doesn’t have any lights. A freezer is often densely packed, so a light will not illuminate the entire unit. Also, many freezers are drawer units, rather than front-opening units. The amount of light that is blocked won’t be an issue.
Cost of adding a light
The question of whether it’s worth it to add a light to your freezer is a tricky one to answer. The cost-benefit principle is the key to answering the question. A light is a convenience. The cost of adding one is the same as the benefit. It’s easier to find your items if you have a light. A light in your freezer will make it easier to locate what you are looking for.
The cost of adding a light in your freezer is much lower than the cost of the freezer unit. Manufacturers don’t have to spend as much on the feature as they do on the unit. Most consumers don’t open their freezer for browsing purposes, and the items inside are generally things that need further preparation. A light can be added to your freezer to make it easier to see what’s in there and save you time and energy.
A refrigerator can have a light added to it for about the same cost as a freezer. In other words, you won’t see the cost of adding a light if you have a dark freezer. A light can make it easier to find what you want if you are a high-income customer.
The convenience of having a light in the freezer is generally not a big deal for most consumers, but it is important to consider the cost-benefit ratio. If you’re a high-income consumer, the benefit of having a light in your freezer will be more than worth the extra cost. The Sub-Zero Pro 48 refrigerator includes a light in your freezer and an ice drawer. It costs $14,450.
Consumer preference
According to Mental Floss, freezer lights are not valued by consumers. If lights are in the freezer, it will impact the company’s profit margin. Consumers spend more time in the fridge, than in the freezer. So, the benefits of lights are small.
It is not known why some consumers value lights in freezers more than others. These features are valued by consumers as a function of their income. For those with higher incomes, a refrigerator equipped with a light will prove to be a worthwhile investment. A Sub-Zero Pro 48 refrigerator comes with a light inside the freezer for $14,450.
Researchers conducted tests with fluorescent and LED lights. They found that higher color temperatures give the illusion of brightness. The color temperature of fluorescent lamps was 3500 Kelvin, while LEDs were 5500 Kelvin. Despite this, sales analysis showed no effect on sales. These results are in contradiction to previous studies that showed that color temperature has an effect on sales.
A refrigerator with a light is more beneficial than one without. However, this cost-benefit principle means that a refrigerator with a lighting system is more beneficial than one without one. It makes it easier to find items in a freezer. And since most consumers tend to open the fridge more than the freezer, the added light makes it easier to find food.
LED lighting can make supermarket freezers more bright and help you save energy. In addition to providing a superior light wash, LEDs also reduce energy costs and reduce the need to replace the fluorescent ballast. Some manufacturers are already planning to install LED lighting in their freezer cases. And, they claim that LED lighting improves the appearance of merchandise and the overall comfort and evenness of the lighting.
