Size: The first thing to consider when buying a new fridge is where you are going to put it and how much space you have to put it in. If you have a small or fitted kitchen, an integrated or under-counter fridge may be your best option. Similarly, the top of a small unit can be used as an extra work surface.

By contrast, a larger family kitchen could benefit from generous American-style fridge freezer, with a huge double-door structure that can become a feature in its own right.

Capacity: When you have worked out where you can put a new unit consider what, and how much, you will put in it. Capacity is measured in litres but it also defined by the design of individual units, so be sure to have a good look before you buy.

If you like stocking up from the supermarket freezer department, an integrated under-counter fridge might not have the storage space you need. Instead, consider whether you want a combined fridge freezer or full-size individual units. But if you use a lot of fresh produce and only tend to have an emergency bag of peas in the freezer, an integrated unit with small icebox may be perfectly adequate.

Energy: A refrigerator is one the biggest consumers of energy in the home, after heating, as it is always switched on. To help you gauge its energy efficiency, all units are ranked from A to G, with A++ being the most efficient. The more efficient the model, the more money you save - not to mention doing your bit for the good of the planet.

Extras: Once you have decided what kind of model you’re looking for, consider the fine details such as adjustable door racks and split-shelving to increase maximise storage. Features such as anti-bacterial shelves and wipe-clean surfaces will help you keep your fridge sparkling and safe with less effort, while rollers or castors can help you clean underneath it with ease.

More luxurious extras include a water dispenser, LCD displays and open door alarms - although these are generally only available on higher end models.

If you’ve settled on a refrigerator with a built-in icebox, look at the freezer’s star-rating. Zero stars means it’s only good for making ice, while four stars indicates it will cool to temperatures of -18C or colder and will therefore be capable of freezing fresh food.

Size and capacity: As with a refrigerator, consider how much space you have, what you want to store whether you need a combined fridge freezer, an integrated model to slip into a fitted kitchen or a standalone unit.

If you settle on a standalone unit, you then have the option of choosing between an upright or chest freezer. An upright model will be suitable for most kitchens and is easy to store food in thanks to shelves and compartments. In contrast, a chest freezer can provide more storage space, particularly for over-sized items like the Christmas turkey. But due to its size and design, food in a chest freezer can be more difficult to access and is often better suited to storage in a garage or utility room.

Energy: Like refrigerators, all freezers should have an energy efficiency rating of A to G. The more efficient the unit, the more you save in electricity and cut back on your carbon footprint. Making sure you keep the doors shut and the seals clean will also help it work at its optimum level and prevent frosting.

Features: Fast-freeze helps prevent the temperature rising when warm items are put inside, helping to preserve the food’s quality and freshness. Some models also have automatic fast-freeze which kicks in when the unit is too warm.

A frost-free freezer will allow fast freezing in all compartments so you never need to defrost.

If you enjoy entertaining or see yourself as a budding sommelier, you may want to consider a wine chiller to help serve your tipple of choice at the perfect temperature.

Size and style: Drinks coolers come in a wide range of sizes. At the lower end of the range, you could consider table top mini bar fridge, which will provide extra room for your drinks and snacks while fitting on a kitchen work surface or a table.

But if you want to go down the wine chiller route, you have a wide range of sizes and styles to consider - from a smaller 16-bottle chiller for a table top to larger models that stand in for a wine cellar and can hold 175 bottles of wine or more.

If you want your chiller to be a feature of the room it’s in, consider what style and design – there are plenty of options from chic black to sleek stainless steel.

Temperature controls: Different wines react to different temperatures - too warm and you’re in danger of maturing your wine too quickly, too cold and it can get deposits. As such, there are various different types of temperature control you can consider - from single zone for wine storage to separate zones which allow you to set the temperature for several different wine types. Some single zone units also have temperature control so you can store red wine at the top and cooler white wine at the bottom.

Other factors: If you intend to place your chiller in the same room you want to entertain in, noise might be a factor. All refrigeration units create an electronic hum that might intrude on a quiet dinner party.

It’s also worth remembering that stored wine is very sensitive to factors including humidity, vibrations and light. While none of these should be a major problem for most people, it is worth making sure your chosen model is located away from the washing machine or dishwasher, which are bound to cause more vibrations than the average electronic unit.