New build integrated fridge freezer

eddddy

Just to be clear - this won't be any kind of installation issue.

It's simply a business decision by the builder and/or kitchen fitter not to supply a fridge/freezer housing without a fridge/freezer.

• There is no problem with a kitchen fitter installing a fridge/freezer housing and leaving it empty.

• Then the home buyer comes along later, buys a fridge/freezer suitable for the housing, and installs it

• (As a DIYer, I've put new integrated appliances into existing housings. It's not a big deal. But I guess you could pay somebody to do it.)

The house-builder's electrician would install an on/off switch in an accessible position, perhaps like this one:



And either an unswitched socket or unswitched connection point (behind or near the housing) for connecting the fridge/freezers flex.


Edit to add...

There are a few different types and sizes of housing, so you'd need to get a fridge/freezer that fits into the type and size of housing that was installed.

ethank

NaughtiusMaximus wrote: »

Really? Why would integrated appliances be treated differently to free standing appliances in this regard?

I don't know why the rules changed, but I bought a new build in 2013 and another one this year, and both of them have been built like this. I was told that it is in order to ensure that an appliance can be locally isolated from electricity supply without going to the fuse box. If plug sockets are behind units this is very difficult.

Another way of making this happen could be to have a master switch which would kill all of those sockets in the kitchen.

SallyDucati

ethank wrote: »

I don't know why the rules changed, but I bought a new build in 2013 and another one this year, and both of them have been built like this. I was told that it is in order to ensure that an appliance can be locally isolated from electricity supply without going to the fuse box. If plug sockets are behind units this is very difficult.

Another way of making this happen could be to have a master switch which would kill all of those sockets in the kitchen.

I think it might just be the way some developers do it. In my new build (build completed 2017) there is a standard plug hole behind the washer dryer . (I changed it from a washing only machine so saw the plug point). There is also a switch on the wall above the worktop.

I can't see my small builders getting the build signed off if it was against regulation. Maybe its a volume cost cutting exercise for larger builders.