While your current refrigerator probably does a fine job of keeping your foods cool and safe to eat, it might be using up more energy than necessary, which reflects onto your electric bill and adds to your carbon footprint.
In fact, a fridge made 20 years ago costs you more than $100 to run each year, while a model that was made recently and has met efficiency standards costs around $45 each year to run, and avoids nearly 940 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, there are other advantages to purchasing an energy efficient fridge such as the noise level. Because it has more insulation to save energy and money, an efficient fridge runs quieter than an older model.
Most energy efficient models come in different styles to suit your needs, such as the French door, side-by-side door, bottom-mount freezer, or a top mount freezer. Several of these models also use improved temperature controls to keep your food fresher, longer —also saving you money.
If you decide to purchase a new fridge, you can recycle your old one. If you are replacing a fridge from the 1890s, you’ll save more than $100 each year on your electric bill. Furthermore, if you’re replacing a fridge from the 1970s, you will save almost $200 each year.
Some other energy saving tips no matter what year your fridge was made include, making sure all of the door seals are tight, leaving space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator to allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, keeping the coils clean and free of dust, place your fridge far from any heat sources (oven, dishwasher, direct sunlight), shorten the amount of time the fridge door is open, and keep your fridge temperature between 32-38 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer temperature at zero degrees.
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Making Cents of Energy is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling
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