[gdelfino01]

New ones break quickly and then consume zero energy. So then you buy an even newer one without caring at all about the emissions to buy the new one and to get rid of the old one. And then feel good to be "saving the planet" because you have a super efficient fridge and repeat the cycle.

[jeroenhd]

Depends on what kind of fridge you buy. If you buy one for the price of a fridge in the "good old times" that doesn't come loaded with useless features, they last just fine.

A lot of degrading quality in household appliances is the result of consumers buying the cheapest products that'll get the job done. Many people would rather risk having to buy two €600 fridges rather than buying one €1200 fridge (freezer sold separately of course).

I can get a full fridge+freezer combination delivered to my home for €380. Of course that won't last as long as the €1200 equivalent from forty years ago, back when that was the normal price for a fridge.

[userbinator]

Related item: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32462954