After water heating, the fridge is the single biggest household electricity-user and the most expensive appliance in your home to run.
So remember: 1) When you're buying a new fridge - buy efficiently!
2) While you own - use efficiently!
3) If you have a secondary fridge or a fridge over 10 yrs old - understand how much it costs to run. If you don't need it - recycle it - it's not only good for the environment, it's good for your pocketbook!
Choosing a fridge and freezer
You can cut down on running costs by choosing the right fridge or freezer for your needs. It's worth considering: Size Consider the number of people in your household, how often you shop and how often you entertain. Don't buy a bigger fridge/freezer than you need. While it's more efficient to run one large fridge/freezer than two small ones, it's inefficient to run one that's far bigger than you need. An over full or almost empty fridge/freezer has to work harder to stay cool. Model Fridge/freezers with the top and bottom configuration are often more energy efficient than a side-by-side arrangement. Shape Chest freezers are more efficient than upright models. As cold air is heavier than warm air, it sits in the bottom of a chest freezer. With an upright freezer, cold air escapes every time you open the door. Upright freezers with enclosed drawers (not baskets) are a good compromise. Water and ice dispensers Through-the-door features such as cold water and drinks dispensers and ice-makers use more electricity, so cost more to run. Choosing by labels All fridges have energy rating labels so you can see how much electricity the fridge will use in a year. Make sure you're comparing a similar size and type of fridge, and look for the fridge with the lowest annual electricity consumption (kWh). • Energy rating labels The most efficient fridges carry the ENERGY STAR® mark. Check out: • Current list of ENERGY STAR® qualified fridges and freezers • Current ENERGY STAR retailers and where to buy • ENERGY STAR specification for fridges and freezers.
Hints and tips
• Don't put your fridge next to the oven or in direct sunlight • Make sure there's an air gap all around it. Check the manual to find out how big the gap needs to be • Clean and check the seals on the door regularly. Try putting a piece of paper in the seal and closing the door. If the seal is working properly it will hold the paper firmly. Another test is to turn a torch on and put it in the fridge with the door closed. If you can see light through the seals, they need replacing • If your fridge doesn't auto-defrost, make sure you defrost as required (when the ice build up is more than 2cm thick) • If your fridge has coils on the back, dust them every year • Allow food to cool before putting it in the fridge (but don't let it sit at room temperature for too long - this could be a health risk) • Try not to open the door too frequently and don't leave the door open • Check that the temperature is set correctly. Freezers should be between -15°C and -18°C, while fridge compartments should be at around 3°C to 4°C. You can buy fridge thermometers to check these temperatures • In freezers, food packages should be scattered and should not be grouped or stacked so they freeze together • When away for a longer period, turn off, empty and clean your fridge, and leave the door ajar.
Getting rid of your old fridge
Old fridges are 2-3 times less efficient than new ones and can cost $100 - $200 a year more to run.
If you have an old fridge running in the garage you don't really need, think about switching it off or getting rid of it.
Take your old fridge to CMA Recycling at 184-200 Ellis Street, Frankton, Hamilton, where it can be recycled at no charge.
