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Everyone has a fridge, but how do you keep it energy efficient? Energy efficiency is important when it comes to any appliance in your home. This is because energy efficiency doesn’t just determine how hot or cool your house is, but it also determines how much your energy bills will cost overall. Most people assume that all they must do to save energy is close the windows and seal the doors properly. Still, appliances can be incredibly inefficient, especially when they’re older.
So how do you make your appliances more energy efficient? We can’t focus on all the appliances here, but at the very least, we can dive into ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your refrigerator. If you’re interested in learning more, read below. Many common ideas are on this list, but you also might be surprised at what you find.
Get an Energy-Efficient Fridge
The first step to getting a more energy-efficient fridge might be to buy a new one. Most of the fridges on the market are Energy Star-certified, which means they’re already built for energy efficiency. In addition to this, energy efficiency can also depend on where the freezer sits. You might want to consider getting a freestanding fridge with a top-mounted freezer, which is the most energy-efficient option! In addition to this, energy-efficient models also qualify for rebates, so there are many reasons why you might want to pick one up.
Finally, check for an “energy saver” switch. Most fridges come with this feature, allowing you to control the anti-sweat heaters in your fridge. This can reduce energy costs by as much as 5-10 percent, so make sure to look for this option when buying a fridge!
The Door
It’s not uncommon for small children to open the fridge door and walk away—and it’s not even uncommon that adults might do this by accident. However, closing the fridge door after retrieving items is one of the cheapest and simplest ways to encourage energy efficiency.
Additionally, you can plan what you need to get out of the built-in or freestanding fridge before you pull it out. We’ve all gone to the fridge one too many times, so why not think ahead and consolidate some of your trips? All you need to do is think about what you want and lessen the number of trips you make to the fridge. This will drastically decrease your energy bill.
Location, Location
To ensure your fridge does its job correctly, orient it appropriately in the kitchen layout. Many people put their fridges in places that fit without a method to their organizational plans. We recommend keeping your fridge far from windows and not in the path of direct sunlight. Instead, place your fridge parallel to the window and far away from heat sources. If you place your fridge near a heat source, it might be working harder just to keep the interior cool. You should also check your room temperature periodically to ensure it’s not too hot or cold. Otherwise, the entire fridge will become less efficient because the compressor has to keep jumping into gear to keep your fridge at the perfect temperature.
Cleaning Your Coils
The evaporation coils make the fridge cold, so you need to fix any problems you note there quickly, or your entire fridge will be on the fritz. One of the best things you can do is clean the evaporative coils of your fridge. The process is relatively simple.
First, you’ll want to unplug the fridge and its corresponding circuit at the breaker unit. Remove the panel at the front of the fridge, typically found near the bottom. At this point, you might see some dust or debris down there. Get a vacuum hose and vacuum the coils gently. After that, you replace the front panel and turn the fridge back on.
Organize Your Fridge
You’ll want to ensure your fridge is properly organized when you’re using it. When things are easier to find, you won’t spend as long with the door open, which preserves energy. Take advantage of this and put your most used and favorite items on the top shelf. This will keep you from having to rummage through your fridge for longer. You can even create an inventory list and put it on your fridge to tell you what you have and where everything is.
Another tip is to stock your fridge to near-full capacity since it takes less energy to maintain the temperature in a full fridge. Just make sure that while it’s well-stocked, the fridge is not crammed to the point that it affects proper air circulation. If this happens, you can be sure your food will spoil quicker than usual. It’s a balancing act, but keeping your refrigerator properly stocked is another great way to improve its energy efficiency.
Regulate the Temperature
Ensure you keep your fridge away from heat-generating appliances like the oven, dishwasher, or the heat vent that blows into your kitchen. All that extra heat will cause your fridge to run more frequently. Your energy bill will be incredibly high if your fridge is constantly kicked on. You might also want to avoid putting hot foods in the fridge. Place any hot foods on the counter for a few minutes; you’ll be surprised how hard the fridge has to work to cool your food down.
Furthermore, you’ll want to regulate the temperature of the fridge itself. If you don’t, the effects could degrade the quality of the food in your fridge. Optimally, your fridge should be anywhere between 38 and 40 degrees. Ensure the temperature isn’t higher or lower than this to ensure maximum performance.
Overall, you can make your fridge more energy efficient in many ways, but these methods are the best. Your energy bills will remain low as long as you properly regulate your fridge’s temperature and keep it well-maintained. You need a fridge before you can use these tips, so why not get one at Town Appliance? We have the best appliances on the market and will deliver quickly and efficiently. Shop Town Appliance today!
