BY MIRANDA BOUTELLE
When exploring ways to be more efficient with refrigerators and freezers, we often find ourselves balancing convenience with energy conservation. While you can upgrade to newer equipment, care and equipment habits can be just as important to saving energy.
Here is some guidance on equipment energy use, including tips to keep your current equipment running efficiently and ways to limit overuse of refrigeration in our homes.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) helps us understand what to look for in our existing equipment and new appliances. Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the more energy it uses. The most efficient models are typically 16 to 20 cubic feet in size. Models with the freezer on top tend to use less energy than bottom freezers or side-by-side units. A refrigerator 15 years or older uses about 35% more energy than an ENERGY STAR®-certified model.
Let’s explore some tips to keep your refrigerator running efficiently.
Keep it organized. One of the biggest issues with refrigerator energy use is opening the door or keeping it open. An organized fridge makes food items easier to find, minimizing open-door time and keeping cold air inside. Place items in the same spots so they are easier and faster to find. I tell my kids to take a quick look inside at the options and close the door while they are deciding what to eat.
Keep it clean. Regularly cleaning the gasket – the flexible strip around the perimeter of the fridge door – ensures a tight seal between the door and the unit, keeping cold air inside. If the gasket is not sealing tightly, it should be replaced. Removing and cleaning the vent at the bottom of the unit can help with airflow. For the coils at the back, use an extended cleaning brush instead of moving the fridge, which can cause injury.
Keep food safety in mind. The DOE recommends setting your refrigerator temperature between 35 and 38 degrees F and your freezer at 0 degrees F.
If you have a second refrigerator or freezer, consider the following three tips to help you save energy.
Do you need it plugged in year-round? Perhaps you can keep it empty and unplugged for part of the year. Maybe you only really need it during the holiday season. Unplugging it for the months you aren’t using it will save energy, and you’ll still have it as a backup when you need it.
If you are a hunter or buy meat in bulk, set a goal to empty your freezer before you restock. This allows you to avoid food waste and unplug the extra appliance when it is not needed.
Consider the location. Keeping the second fridge or freezer in a cool basement versus a hot garage requires less energy.
Practicing basic cleaning and proper food storage is an easy way to improve the efficiency of your refrigerator and freezer.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
