Consumer Reports Says This Popular Refrigerator Feature May Not Be Worth It

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Even if your fridge is working fine, it may be time to replace it. This outdated kitchen appliance may be skyrocketing your energy bill, and upgrading can offer newer features along with potentially lower utility costs. Of course, the challenge then becomes picking the right one and what features to include. While there are a lot of bells and whistles on the market, one common feature you may want to avoid having in your new fridge if you expect it to last a long time and receive minimal maintenance is a through-the-door water and ice dispenser. 

With these dispensers being common, you might assume that they're a good addition. They are even one of the most requested features, according to Consumer Reports. However, Consumer Reports also warns that they can develop enough issues to make them worth avoiding. The biggest concern is the high chance of them breaking down and requiring repairs. Some issues are minor and can be fixed yourself, such as changing the filter or unfreezing the reservoir. There are also more complex problems that can be incredibly stressful, like valve failures or leaks, which might require hiring someone to handle the issues. These fixes aren't terribly expensive on their own, about $75 to $200 per repair according to Angi, but if this feature breaks down consistently, the money and frustration definitely add up over time.

While the repairs and high chances of breaking down are the biggest concern, there are a few other reasons why you may not want to consider a through-the-door water dispenser. For example, your monthly utilities can be higher if you have this feature compared to fridges without one, and you will need to buy filters. You'll also lose some interior storage space to accommodate the dispenser. You can combat this issue somewhat by trying a few organizing hacks for a clean and tidy fridge, but it might not be enough.

That said, there are benefits to having one of these dispensers. If you're someone who struggles to drink enough water, the ability to just fill up a cup as you go by is incredibly handy, and it often tastes cleaner than standard tap water because of the filters. Plus, it provides cold water and ready-to-use ice.

There are alternative solutions, though. You can get a water filter installed next to your sink. Or, for another fridge-based option, there are other water dispensers, such as this GE French-Door Refrigerator with Dual-Dispense AutoFill Pitcher at Home Depot. As for ice, there are countertop ice machines, built-in ice makers, or ice trays. Also, remember that while deciding whether or not you want a through-the-door dispenser is a big part of choosing a fridge, so too is knowing which refrigerators you'll want to avoid.