If you're like most people, chances are
your refrigerator/freezer is one of the largest energy users in your home,
gobbling up about 8% of your household's annual energy costs. Why? Because it
requires electricity to operate, and it's on 24 hours-a-day using between 100
and 200 kilowatt hours a month.
Keep It Maintained
A refrigerator works best when it has been properly
maintained. Check the door seals and if one is cracked, or cold air is leaking
out, the seal should be replaced.
Unplug It
Some people keep their old refrigerator or freezer in the
garage, but if it isn't filled to capacity you could be wasting as much as 2400
kilowatt hours a year for an extra refrigerator, or up to 1200 kilowatt hours a
year for an extra freezer, just by having it plugged in.
Use The Proper Temperature Settings
Check your thermostat controls. To work most efficiently
your refrigerator should be set between 38°F and 40°F and the freezer
at 0°F.
Go For High Efficiency
Newer more efficient refrigerators use half as much energy
as many older models of the same size, so they cost half as much to operate. Be
sure to compare cubic footage and purchase price, as well as estimated
operating costs.
A 10-year old, 19 cubic foot refrigerator with a top
freezer can use approximately 450 kilowatt hours per month while a new
high-efficiency model may reduce that consumption by 50%. The yellow
EnergyGuide label can help you in your decision making process.
Defrost Regularly
If you have a manual defrost freezer, don't forget to
defrost it regularly. More than 1/4 inch of frost makes your freezer work
harder to keep your food, and the frost, frozen.
Keep It Clean
Dirty condenser coils could lead you to higher operating
costs. Coils, found on the back or bottom of the refrigerator, should be
vacuumed and checked at least twice a year.
Keep It Level
A refrigerator that's not level may cause the door gasket
to seal improperly letting the cold air leak out. Set a glass of water on the
top and adjust the legs until the unit looks level.
Keep It Cool
Refrigerators should be kept in a well ventilated, dry and
cool place. Refrigerators and freezers near ovens, stoves, water heaters,
clothes dryers or other crowded or warm places work harder to keep things cold.
Keep It Closed
A refrigerator works more efficiently when you open the
door as infrequently as possible. So make your decisions before you open the
door and get everything you need quickly and at one time
Keep Foods Covered
Covering foods will reduce moisture build-up on the inside
of the refrigerator. Also, wipe moisture from bottles and other containers
before placing them in the refrigerator.
Keep The Heat Out Of Your Refrigerator
Before you store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer
allow them to cool slightly. Your refrigerator or freezer won't have as hard to
work to cool them.
Flip That Switch
You can save energy by keeping the EnergySaver switch
turned on (which actually turns the anti-sweat heater off). Anti-sweat heaters
prevent moisture build-up on the outside of a refrigerator. Check your owner's
manual for directions on your model's switch.
Keep It Full
Refrigerators operate most efficiently when they are full,
but not overloaded. It's true that frozen foods help to keep the air cool, but
too much food in either compartment can prevent cold air from circulating
properly. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct capacity.
Don't Cool It If You're Going To Throw It
Away Anyway
Why cool something you'll probably throw out anyway? If
you're going away for a few days, get rid of foods that are likely to spoil. If
you are going to be gone for more than a month, consider cleaning out your
refrigerator, or unplugging it and leaving the doors open. Some older models are
impossible to open from the inside and are a hazard for children and pets.
Also, older models may have difficulty restarting.
