Most of the ones like that vent the heat primarily through an area that can be effectively cleaned and has significantly better airflow. So the back radiator is larger but it’s effectively never cleaned and the air exchange volume is the gap between the back of the fridge and the wall.
Venting out the bottom allows exchange with the rest of the room, but does require more work to ensure the air actually flows. Additionally, you can clean the vent with a vacuum, and it’s a lot more likely that will actually happen than someone pulls the fridge forward and wipes the coils with a damp but not wet cloth.
The back, top, bottom and sides all get hot. So you’re right in that it’s radiating the heat, it just does use the typical radiator on the rear.
What’s the advantage? It sounds like you’d need significant air clearance all around (including in back) instead of just the back?
Most of the ones like that vent the heat primarily through an area that can be effectively cleaned and has significantly better airflow. So the back radiator is larger but it’s effectively never cleaned and the air exchange volume is the gap between the back of the fridge and the wall.
Venting out the bottom allows exchange with the rest of the room, but does require more work to ensure the air actually flows. Additionally, you can clean the vent with a vacuum, and it’s a lot more likely that will actually happen than someone pulls the fridge forward and wipes the coils with a damp but not wet cloth.
I would imagine not having to clean the radiators.
Those things are a bitch to clean, and they get disgusting quick