In order to preserve our fresh food in this warm climate, a refrigerator and freezer are indispensable. Unfortunately, these are energy-consumer appliances. There are however, practical and easy to follow tricks that will help you save energy as much as possible.
1) What is the best location?
Carefully consider the location of your refrigerator and freezer. Choose a cool location, hence not close to a window or in the sun. This will require the refrigerator to work ‘harder’ to keep the temperature cool thus consuming more energy.
2. 10 cm space
Ensure that the back of the refrigerator is placed at least 10 cm from the wall. This will help the warm air generated by the fridge to easily flow away. Hence, you use less energy because the refrigerator needs to cool less.
3. Keep the heating grid clean!
Ensure that you keep the heating grid mounted at the back of the refrigerator very clean! As it happens, this grid transfers excess heat flows out so that the refrigerator uses far less energy.
4. Adjust the thermostat setting of the refrigerator and the freezer
The refrigerator cools well at 7°C and the freezer at -18°C. It is wise not to set thermostat of a refrigerator too low. This is not necessary to keep the food fresh and you only use up more energy.
5. Chose a smaller model
Large refrigerators and freezers use up much more energy than smaller ones. When you live alone, choose a smaller model. It will save you lots of money on the long run.
6. Defrost the refrigerator - this keeps it running more efficiently
Cold items help maintain a cold internal temperature. If you like to defrost any kind of frozen food, it is best to place it in the refrigerator. It will slowly defrost whilst keeping the temperature at a steady level. Hence, the refrigerator needs to chill less and uses up less energy.
7. Does it need refrigeration?
Food products remain fresh the longest when being kept in the refrigerator at a recommended temperature. By placing unnecessary non-refrigerated food products outside the fridge, you are able to prevent the refrigerator from consuming lots of energy. Cucumbers and tomatoes for example can be kept outside the refrigerator.
8. Keep the door closed.
Your refrigerator or freezer contains cold food and cold air. Each time you open the refrigerator or freezer door, warm air from the room goes in and the temperature increases. The longer the door remains open, the harder the appliance needs to re-adjust itself to the recommended temperature.
9. When on holiday, turn off the refrigerator!
While absent for longer periods of time (for example on vacation), it is advisable to turn off the refrigerator. It is unlikely that you will use the refrigerated products after your holiday. This way, you will save lots of money.
10. Defrost the freezer - this keeps it running more efficiently.
When there is a thick layer of ice build up on the inside of the freezer, it will cost more energy to chill. By regularly defrosting your freezer, the efficiency of the appliance will increase and you will save a lot in your energy consumption.
1) What is the best location?
Carefully consider the location of your refrigerator and freezer. Choose a cool location, hence not close to a window or in the sun. This will require the refrigerator to work ‘harder’ to keep the temperature cool thus consuming more energy.
2. 10 cm space
Ensure that the back of the refrigerator is placed at least 10 cm from the wall. This will help the warm air generated by the fridge to easily flow away. Hence, you use less energy because the refrigerator needs to cool less.
3. Keep the heating grid clean!
Ensure that you keep the heating grid mounted at the back of the refrigerator very clean! As it happens, this grid transfers excess heat flows out so that the refrigerator uses far less energy.
4. Adjust the thermostat setting of the refrigerator and the freezer
The refrigerator cools well at 7°C and the freezer at -18°C. It is wise not to set thermostat of a refrigerator too low. This is not necessary to keep the food fresh and you only use up more energy.
5. Chose a smaller model
Large refrigerators and freezers use up much more energy than smaller ones. When you live alone, choose a smaller model. It will save you lots of money on the long run.
6. Defrost the refrigerator - this keeps it running more efficiently
Cold items help maintain a cold internal temperature. If you like to defrost any kind of frozen food, it is best to place it in the refrigerator. It will slowly defrost whilst keeping the temperature at a steady level. Hence, the refrigerator needs to chill less and uses up less energy.
7. Does it need refrigeration?
Food products remain fresh the longest when being kept in the refrigerator at a recommended temperature. By placing unnecessary non-refrigerated food products outside the fridge, you are able to prevent the refrigerator from consuming lots of energy. Cucumbers and tomatoes for example can be kept outside the refrigerator.
8. Keep the door closed.
Your refrigerator or freezer contains cold food and cold air. Each time you open the refrigerator or freezer door, warm air from the room goes in and the temperature increases. The longer the door remains open, the harder the appliance needs to re-adjust itself to the recommended temperature.
9. When on holiday, turn off the refrigerator!
While absent for longer periods of time (for example on vacation), it is advisable to turn off the refrigerator. It is unlikely that you will use the refrigerated products after your holiday. This way, you will save lots of money.
10. Defrost the freezer - this keeps it running more efficiently.
When there is a thick layer of ice build up on the inside of the freezer, it will cost more energy to chill. By regularly defrosting your freezer, the efficiency of the appliance will increase and you will save a lot in your energy consumption.