Whirlpool has announced a new advancement in refrigerator technology that will make fridges more efficient and able to store more items.
Spokesperson Eleanor Reece tells us the engineering team has developed a new technology called SlimTech, which is a new way to insulate the walls of the refrigerators.
“Essentially, we’re replacing the polyurethane foam with a proprietary powder-like material, and that is vacuum insulated into a structure that provides for better insulation, just superior performance,” Reece said.
Reece says this means more energy efficiency, food that stays fresh longer, quieter refrigerators, and more space.
“It actually means that the walls are up to 66% thinner, which will provide more space in the refrigerator, up to 25% more capacity.”
Reece notes the engineers have been working on this for years, securing 180 patents as the tech was developed. The material used in SlimTech insulation technology also has the potential to be recycled, which Whirlpool is working on now.
Refrigerators with SlimTech insulation will be built at Whirlpool’s operation in Ottawa, Ohio with the company having invested $65 million in the plant. They’ll start to roll out SlimTech in North America in 2024 in JennAir model refrigerators.
