Energy-Efficient Refrigerators: How to Save Money and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Guest Post by John Guevara
A fridge is a device that holds the most energy in most homes today, and everyone has a refrigerator that operates for 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
When you have a fridge, you will have to let it work for the whole day to keep your food chilled so that your food doesn’t end up going bad quite fast.
The only drawback that refrigerators typically have is that they consume a lot of electricity, but this should not limit you from going to a fridge since you could reduce the amount of electricity it uses by following specific steps.
When you want to get a refrigerator and are thinking of starting with a small one, you should check on the small refrigerator before you get one for your cottage.
After knowing the price range, the next step is to see how you can preserve energy when you have a refrigerator.
Some of the ways you can use the most limited portion of electricity while having a refrigerator include;
Load the freezer, but give the fridge some air
Most refrigerators work much better when they are as full as possible.
When your fridge is loaded, it keeps food frozen for an extended period, even if a power outage emerges.
For your fridge to function perfectly, it requires air circulation to retain nourishment at an even temperature.
When you pack your fridge too tightly, it means that some foods will get colder faster compared to other foods, and this may cause food to go bad quicker.
Substitute food to the appropriate microclimate
When you have a refrigerator, you must know one rule: hot air soars as cold air sinks.
The following rule is that every fridge has its outstanding weather pattern of frosty breezes.
When stacking your food, ensure it is in the most appropriate territory inside the refrigerator.
For example, a cold spot close to the cold-air inlet is great for foods like meat and poultry but not for lettuce.
Don’t put hot food in the fridge
Before you leave your food in the refrigerator, make sure it has cooled down first and allow it to cool down naturally.
When you put hot food in the fridge, a lot of electricity will be utilised to cool down your food, but since you want to use less electricity, make sure you place cold food in the fridge.
Select, grab and close
When removing food from the fridge don’t leave the door open for too long; when you do this cold air retreats, and more energy is required to lessen the conditions again once you close your door.
Permit ventilation
Ensure your fridge-freezer has a lot of space for air to disseminate and keep it away from any external heat sources, including direct sunlight.
If you put too much food on the top and the sides of your fridge, a lot of energy will be used to cool down your food.
Ensure you keep your fridge more apparent, as it uses less electricity when cooling your food.
Ensure the seals of your fridge are working perfectly
When you notice condensation outside your refrigerator, it’s time to get new seals.
Leaky door seals cause energy loss in your fridge and freezer.
Doors not fastened well cause the cold air to escape your fridge.
Conclusion
The moment you purchase your fridge, whether big or small, make sure you put into consideration the tips listed above so that you can conserve electricity.
If you don’t, you will go over budget on your electricity bill.