Refrigerator
Freezer
- Don't just stand there with the door open! The average family opens the fridge 40 to 60 times per day, which eats up about $20 of the annual electric bill.
- Place your refrigerator out of direct sunlight and away from hot appliances. A five-degree difference in air temperature can have a 20% impact on energy consumption.
- Give your refrigerator at least two inches of breathing space on all sides, particularly around the coils and compressor.
- Keep the temperature inside your refrigerator at 37-40 degrees F. Cooler temps are not necessary.
- Keep it loose inside your fridge. Crowding cramps air circulation.
- Keep food covered in your fridge, preferably with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Uncovered food releases moisture and forces the compressor to work harder.
- Did the "butter conditioner" sound like a neat feature? Itıs actually a little heater inside your refrigerator. Consider turning it off.
- Make sure your refrigerator door gasket seals properly. A proper seal holds a dollar bill snugly.
- Turn off the "moisture control" switch on all but the hottest summer days and save up to 10% on your energy costs.
- Regularly defrost your refrigerator, if necessary, before frost builds to 1/4 inch. Frost puts a chill on energy efficiency.
- Regularly dust or vacuum the coils on the back or bottom of your refrigerator. This increases efficiency and prevents the unit from breaking down.
- Consider investing in a newer, energy-efficient refrigerator. Newer models use 1/3 of the energy of 15- to 20-year-old models and pay for themselves quickly.
- Reconsider running the extra clunker in the garage or basement. A 15-year-old fridge could cost you as much as $200 per year in electricity.
Freezer
- Keep the temperature inside your freezer at 0-5 degrees F. Cooler temps are not necessary.
- Make sure your freezer door gasket seals properly. A proper seal holds a dollar bill snugly.
- Regularly defrost your freezer, if necessary, before frost builds to 1/4 inch. Frost puts a chill on energy efficiency.
- Avoid putting hot foods directly into the freezer. Allow them to cool at room temperature first.
- Keep extra, freestanding freezers in basements or garages that stay above 45 degrees F. Refrigerants may not perform properly in extreme cold.
- Keep it stocked. A full freezer is a well-performing freezer, and keeps foods frozen longer during a power outage.
- Label items in the freezer so that you can identify them quickly when you open the freezer door.
