8 Tips for Saving Energy on Your Refrigerator

According to some estimates, refrigerators can consume up to 20% of our household energy, but the good news is that by replacing our existing refrigerator with a newer, more efficient model we can cuts costs and the rating is even better. This article contains 8 tips to help you get the most out of your refrigerator while cutting costs. Checking refrigerator energy efficiency is a part of many home energy audits.

Tip 1

Take into consideration your refrigerator's temperature. The refrigerator compartment should be set between 38 and 41 degrees F and the freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees. Cooling to a low temperature will waste energy and can damage the food you are trying to store.

Tip 2

We never really consider the way we package our food to be a problem, but how you pack and store your food can make a big difference in the amount of electricity your refrigerator uses. Air should circulate around the food you are storing so remember not to package them too tight, but remember not to leave too much space between the food you are storing so you are not cooling unused or empty space.

In the freezer, it is best to pack items more tightly and securely than in the refrigerator. Once each item is frozen, it helps keep items next to it cold. If you have a lot of empty space, consider filling it with freezer bags filled with water. Once it freezes it helps keep the freezer cold.

Tip 3

Get to know your refrigerator. If you know where an item is and where to find it, it will reduce the amount of time you stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open. The longer the door is open the more energy you use, wasting money. Organization is free and saves you both time and money.

Tip 4

Check for air leaks. This can be performed by simply taking a piece of paper and placing it between the door gasket and the refrigerator. If you can easily pull the piece of paper out without tugging or firmly pulling it out, air is more than likely escaping from your refrigerator. An easy solution to the problem is as simple as cleaning the gasket using a mild cleaning solution. If a good cleaning doesn't work, you may need to replace the gasket. This is a simple task that requires a screw driver and a little common sense.

Tip 5

Most people tend to overlook cleaning the condensing coils. These coils dissipate the hot air. If and when they get dirty the compressor has to work that much harder to get rid of the hot air. In some models the coils are placed on the back of the unit and on others units they are located on the bottom.. In either case you can use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove the majority of the dirt. Also consider cleaning the coils using a non-abrasive, liquid cleaner. A fifteen minute job can save you big bucks.

Tip 6

If your existing refrigerator has a fan; make sure that it's clean.

Tip 7

Consider the positioning of your refrigerator. As silly as that may sound the location of where you place your refrigerator makes a difference. For best results, keep it out of direct sunlight, away from the oven and dishwasher.. These all tend to generate heat making it harder for the refrigerator to cool.

Tip 8

The biggest mistake people make is using the top of the refrigerator as a shelf. Items placed on top of the refrigerator block the air flow, and air flow is necessary to make your compressor efficient.