decoding the model number?

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

I’m considering buying a used Kenmore upright freezer, model #253.29401990, manufactured 11-99. I tried googling, but didn’t find anything definite. Questions:

  • What information can be gleaned from the model number itself? Cars have lots of information in their VIN numbers, so I’m guessing that freezers do too. I’m guessing that the freezer is 25.3 cubic feet, and was designed in 1990. Anyone know for sure?

  • Can you tell from the attached photo whether it has auto-defrost? Are there things to look for in a photo that tell you whether it has auto-defrost or not?

  • What clues are there about this freezer’s energy efficiency? I know that I don’t want auto-defrost, but I don’t know if freezers that are 12 years old are only slightly less efficient than newer freezers, or if it’s a big efficiency difference. From what I could figure out about Energy Star, it looks like more of a sales gimmick than a serious energy-conservation effort, since the only requirement is using 10% less energy than minimum standards.
    freezer.jpg (4.7 KB)

2

the first thing to bear in mind as with most store brands is that they are made by manufacturers for the store. kenmore is no different. the first 3 digits are the manufacturs #, 253. denotes it was manufactured for kenmore by frigidair although that is also not completely true either. there are (if i remember correctly) 3 freezer manufacturers in north america. so newer ge’s are also the same unit. anyway you unit has evaprative shelves and in therefore a nondefrost model. hope this is of some help.