Whirlpool has announced a new advancement in refrigerator technology that will make refrigerators more efficient and able to store more things.
Spokesperson Eleanor Reece tells us that the engineering team has developed a new technology called SlimTech, which is a new way to insulate the walls of the fridges.
“Essentially, we’re replacing the polyurethane foam with a proprietary powder-like material and it’s vacuum-insulated into a structure that provides better insulation, just superior performance,” Reece said.
Reece says this means more energy efficiency, food that stays fresh longer, quieter fridges and more space.
“This actually means that the walls are up to 66% thinner, which will give more space in the fridge, up to 25% more capacity.”
Reece notes that the engineers have been working on this for years, securing 180 patents as the technology 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 Ottawa, Ohio operation, where the company has invested $65 million in the facility. They will begin rolling out SlimTech in North America in 2024 in JennAir refrigerators.
