Every Garage Needs a Gladiator

Garageworks Solutions would like to offer a 5% discount to New Homes & Ideas magazine readers for the length of the winter issue (through March 31). If a customer chooses to donate his or her discount to the V Foundation, Garageworks Solutions will match that contribution with an additional 5% for the cause.

When Glenn Seitchek heard about the V Foundation Charity Home, he knew that Gladiator GarageWorks Solutions had something unique to offer. No, it wasn't rugged shelving, or bike racks, or even a state-of-the-art automatic door. Seitchek's company installed a feature commonly found in garages but, until now, rarely made especially for that setting— the ubiquitous garage fridge.

"Studies have shown that some 40% of American households have an extra refrigerator in their garage," sites Seitchek. "But these household appliances really aren't built for that environment."  Typical refrigerators are designed for the narrow temperature differentials found inside the home, but the unconditioned space in a garage can experience very high temperatures in summer and frigid temps in winter, not to mention humidity. These temperature extremes can result in a compressor that works mighty hard to maintain a constant 41 degrees.

 
Gladiator Garageworks refrigerators by Whirlpool are designed from the ground up to perform and last in the demanding environment of a garage. They are super-insulated and have a built-in heater for keeping refrigerator items chilled — not frozen — in the coldest climates. And the powerful cooling system is designed to operate efficiently even in the heat of a North Carolina summer. A double pass heat loop helps keep the ultra-rugged silver tread-plate exterior of the fridge from sweating in high humidity environments.

"The typical indoor refrigerator costs about $375 a year to operate in the garage environment," reports Seitchek. "But a Gladiator unit averages only $75 a year."
The 21 cubic foot Freezerator donated to the V Foundation Charity Home features a roomy 15 cubic foot freezer below and a six cubic foot compartment above that is convertible with the flip of a switch — from freezer to refrigerator — as the season demands.

"This home was just for such a good cause," says Seitchek, "we were thrilled to be able to participate, and we want to keep the momentum going."

Kelly McCall Branson is a freelance writer