Energy Saving Tips for Major Appliances: Refrigerator
Refrigerators are very important for storing food that is why it is considered the most common appliance in many kitchens. Also, it is one of the appliances that have the biggest energy consumption in every household. But with some helpful tips on how to properly use and maintain your refrigerator, you can greatly reduce the amount of energy it consumes.
Refrigerator Energy Saving Tips
1. Buy a refrigerator that appropriately matches your needs
If you plan to buy a new refrigerator make sure to buy the size that matches your needs. Not too small because you might not have enough storage space and not too big because you will just be wasting energy on extra spaces that you cannot use. Keeping your refrigerator full (not overfilled) will also increase energy efficiency because less cooling is needed when all the space is taken up.
2. When storing food, wrap food properly
Uncovered food will not only dry out and cause unwanted smell inside the refrigerator but the moisture that it releases will also require the compressor to work harder, thus requiring more energy. Additionally, do not store food while it is still hot; wait until it reaches room temperature before storing it inside the refrigerator.
3. Place refrigerator away from heat sources and away from the wall
Keeping your refrigerator close to the wall and heat sources such as the stove or oven will require the motor more work to cool. As much as possible, put the refrigerator in a cooler location.
4. Defrost refrigerator regularly and avoid frost buildup
Ice buildup on the coils of the refrigerator unit will require the compressor to work and run longer to maintain the cold temperature, which in turn wastes energy. Additionally, after defrosting, you can also adjust the thermostat of your unit to a warmer setting, saving further on energy.
5. Check if door seal is properly working
Make sure that the refrigerator seal is strong and not damaged. You can do a test by putting a paper along the edge and closing the refrigerator. Pull the paper; if it holds tightly, then your seal is working just fine. If seal is not properly working, the cold temperature inside the refrigerator escapes thus requiring more energy to maintain cold temperature. Replace seal immediately if defective.
6. Keep the door of your refrigerator closed as much as possible
Avoid opening your refrigerator for a long time. Keep the door closed and you will save energy required for cooling.
7. Have a way of organizing items stored inside the refrigerator
Make sure that you are able to keep track of what’s inside your fridge. This will save you time searching out what you think is there when it’s not there. In turn, you can reduce the amount of time and frequency of opening your refrigerator, thus saving more energy.
8. Read instruction manual as to the proper use and maintenance of the unit
A refrigerator unit comes with a manual that contains information on how to properly maintain and use the unit for efficiency. Familiarize yourself with the important points and follow the instructions to achieve maximum efficiency.
9. Use the energy-saving setting
Newer models of refrigerator have an energy saving setting. Keep it on to save on energy.
10. Consider replacing your fridge when it’s too old
When your fridge is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new one that is more energy-efficient and has more advanced features such as those with energy saving.
These 10 tips for saving energy with your refrigerator are very simple and easy to follow. And when you do them, you will be on your way to saving energy and reducing your electricity bill.