Comparative Multicriteria Analysis of the Energy and Economic Performance of Modern Refrigeration Appliances

Abstract

The present paper aims to conduct a comparative multicriteria analysis of the energy and economic performance of modern refrigeration appliances available on the Romanian household appliance market. The study evaluates five freestanding refrigerator-freezer combinations from well-known manufacturers, using a structured assessment framework based on technical and economic criteria. The selected evaluation indicators include total storage capacity, annual energy consumption, noise level, autonomy in case of power failure, freezing capacity, market price, and the quality–price ratio. A scoring system with weighted intervals was applied in order to quantify performance differences and to establish a clear quality hierarchy among the analyzed models. In parallel, an economic analysis was conducted by calculating the average market price based on offers from major retail platforms. The results highlight significant differences in both technical efficiency and economic attractiveness. The findings indicate that models with higher initial purchase prices may offer superior long-term value through energy efficiency and balanced technical performance. Overall, the analysis demonstrates that an informed purchasing decision should be based on an integrated evaluation of technical quality and economic factors rather than on price alone. The proposed methodology can be used as a practical decision-support tool for consumers seeking energy-efficient and cost-effective refrigeration appliances. CZU: [005.52:620.9]:621.56(498); JEL: D12, Q41, L68, M31