Suggestions for Helping your Refridgerator & Freezer Run better

One of the topics that I have come across today is how to help your refrigerator and Freezer(s) run better.

Did you know a Single Refrigerator/Freezer can consume 1/6th of the energy of a typical household? That's more then any other household appliance! (Reference link posted at the end of this blog)

Tips for using your Refrigerator more Efficiently:

Clean & Take care of your Fridge inside & out! Make sure air can circulate around the condenser coils. Leave a space between the wall or cabinets. Keep your refrigerator's coils clean. Brushing or vacuuming the coils can improve efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Regularly defrost manual-defrost models. Frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Check door seals to make sure they are airtight. To test them, close the door on a dollar bill and try to pull it out. If the dollar slides out easily, kiss that dollar away because you're wasting energy and money by letting cold air leak out!

Check the temperature - a fridge that is 10 degrees colder than necessary can use 25 percent more energy. Refrigerators should be kept between 35 and 38 degrees - freezers at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

A full refrigerator retains cold better than an empty one. If your refrigerator is nearly empty, store water-filled containers inside. Breads and other items you might normally leave out of the fridge also work well. The mass of cold items will enable the refrigerator to recover more quickly after the door has been opened. On the other hand, don't overfill it, since that will interfere with the circulation of cold air inside.

Open the door as little as possible. Get in and out quickly. Label leftovers so you can quickly see what they are. Organize your Fridge/Freezer!

Cool Hot foods before refrigerating or freezing.


http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/refrigerators.html