Everyone is trying to lower their carbon footprint. It’s the way of the world. Whether you believe in the greenhouse effect and global warming, you know that the planet can’t possibly continue being polluted and our non-renewable resources are running low. Being a responsible person, you’ve decided to do your part, and figure out how to be as energy-efficient as possible. One of the most common questions we receive, as energy-efficiency experts, is “Where is all my energy going?” It’s a fair enough question, and the answer is probably not what you were thinking. When it comes to day-to-day energy bills, your refrigerator is actually the culprit! When comparing households during similar weather patterns, it was found that the refrigerator was the biggest resource hog. It consumes 13.7% of your household’s energy…that’s over 1,000 kilowatts…that’s 5 times the electricity required by a color TV! (source: U.S. Department of Energy)
The Answer To An Energy-Efficient House
Have you been misled by your assumptions? Do you spend more time worrying about turning off the lights and shutting doors? Meanwhile the silent culprit (a.k.a. the refrigerator) has been pilfering your wattage for itself? Don’t worry…now that you know the answer, there’s help to be had! A solution presents itself!
While we probably can’t advise you to get rid of your refrigerator altogether, what we can tell you are a few tips to lessen the amount of energy your refrigerator is using. First, know that if you have an older refrigerator, it will not be energy-efficient. According to Energy Star, refrigerators made before 1990 use enough energy over the span of a year to light a house for four months. So what modifications have they made to refrigerators to make them more efficient? Newer refrigerators have better insulation, more precise temperature and defrost gauges, and more efficient compressors. There’s no stopping the improvements, either. When comparing refrigerators from today with those from 2001, there was a total of 40% more energy saved with the newer models.
What If I Don’t Want To Buy A New Refrigerator?
Let’s say you just bought a new refrigerator or you’re not in a position to make such a large purchase at the moment. What do you do? Here are a few tips to make your existing refrigerator as efficient as possible.
- Make sure the door(s) are sealed tight
- Keep the doors open for minimal periods
- Keep the refrigerator away from heat (i.e. stoves, dishwashers, sunlight, etc.)
- Make sure there is ample space between the wall and the refrigerator’s components so air can circulate around its compressor
- Make sure the compressor coils remain clean, so the compressor does not have to strain itself to produce chilled air
- Prevent and get rid of freezer build-up.
- Keep the refrigerator temperature at 37 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
