Homeowners are always on the lookout to seek out ways that they can save money and conserve energy without sacrificing any of the comforts they’re accustomed to in their home.
One of the appliances you would consider revisiting to improve efficiency is your refrigerator or even your extra freezer. Not only are these two of your most important appliances in your home, but they also both consume energy every minute of the day.
Firstly, it must be noted that if your refrigerator is over 15 years old, you may want to consider an upgrade in order to take full advantage of potential energy savings. If you find yourself with an aging refrigerator, consider recycling your unit and upgrading to an Energy-Star certified appliance. The initial cost of a new unit may be high, but you’ll save in the long run on energy savings.
The good news, however, is that increasing the efficiency of your refrigerator is not only easy and inexpensive to do, but it can be done in a variety of ways.
Let’s take a look at ten ways every homeowner can improve the energy efficiency of their refrigerator or freezer.
1. Choose the right size fit for your needs.
If your fridge is too small, you may be overworking it. If it’s too large, then you’re potentially wasting energy and home space.
2. Clean the condenser coils at least once a year.
Be sure to unplug the unit and carefully brush or vacuum the coils. This could improve your refrigerator’s efficiency by 30%.
3. Don’t forget to defrost.
Refrigerators that do not have an automatic defrost setting typically use less energy than other refrigerators, but they must be manually defrosted to maintain efficiency. It is good practice to manually defrost whenever ice becomes 1/4 inch thick.
4. Test the seals.
You could be wasting energy if the seals are worn or loose. To check this, close a paper bill between the door seal and the door. Repeat at different locations along the door edge. If it moves easily, your seals are likely not tight enough, and you should consider replacing them.
5. Check spacing and circulation.
Give your unit some room to breathe; place it at least 4 inches away from the wall so as not to overwork the motor. Move it away from sources of heat, such as the stove or oven.
By following these guides to increase the efficiency of your refrigerator, you can reduce your energy consumption and save quite a bit of money on your electric bill each month.
If it is time to retire your older model, be sure to look for an Energy Star rated appliance for your next purchase. You can also recycle your old refrigerator in order to further optimize your green contributions to the environment.
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