Almost every house in the modern world owns and uses at least one refrigerator. It has become a necessity in kitchens because it serves many functions, but primarily to keep food and drinks cold and fresh.
However, it’s an appliance that consumes a lot of energy. Although technology has improved over time, it’s still a big energy suck at home.
There are many ways you can save energy for your refrigerator. You don’t need to go out and buy an expensive new model or even overhaul the one in your kitchen if it’s still working just fine. These tips will help you save money and be more environmentally friendly with this appliance.
Clean Condenser Coils
The refrigerator is constantly working to cool the air around it. If you have dust, dirt, and other materials clogging its condenser coils, it has to work harder than usual to do so, thus using more energy. It would help if you vacuumed or swept them at least once a year.
If you don’t do this, it can cause the motor to work harder, wear out parts and cause your electricity bill to go up. It can also break your refrigerator and will need repairs. Worse, you might end up spending more to get a new refrigerator.
It’s an easy task. Make sure to keep your refrigerator door shut when cleaning the coils. This will minimize energy loss.
Move Your Refrigerator Away from Sunlight
If you have a window or a room where sunlight enters, it can cause the interior of your refrigerator to heat up. It will require more energy to keep calm and might even affect the food inside if it becomes too hot.
To avoid this, move your fridge away from windows so it’s not exposed to the sun. This is especially important in hot climates, as heatwaves can cause food and electricity costs problems.
Homeowners should also move their refrigerators away from other sources of heat. It’s a bad idea to place your refrigerator beside the oven or stove because it will only suck up all the hot air, making it difficult for your refrigerator to maintain the right temperature.
If you have no choice but to place them next to each other, make sure there is an air gap between them at least one foot in size. This will maximize airflow and improve efficiency.
Adjust Your Refrigerator’s Thermostat
The temperature is adjustable, so you can tinker with it, so the appliance uses less energy. Most refrigerators have a digital thermometer, but you can adjust them manually as well. Keep in mind that every model has different settings and instructions for changing them accordingly.
A good number to remember is 37 degrees Fahrenheit, as this is the ideal temperature for storing most food items. Anything lower will use up more energy than necessary.
Maintain Your Refrigerator’s Seals
No matter what type of refrigerator you have, it has some seal to keep the air inside and heat out. Maintaining these seals is necessary to stay energy-efficient.
If you notice that they are tearing or warped, it’s best to replace them. Food will start spilling out of the refrigerator if you don’t, and your efficiency will drop even more. Once again, knowing how your model works becomes essential because some have specific instructions for replacing their seals.
Organize Your Refrigerator
The contents of your refrigerator can affect its energy efficiency. If you have tons of stuff in there, the fridge will work harder because it ccoolsmore items. The same goes if you place them too close together.
The ideal way is to organize your fridge so that nothing is touching and there are no air pockets where things can get lost easily. This will maximize efficiency by allowing air to flow correctly around the contents without working too hard.
When you have that “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” mentality, you often end up forgetting about specific food items in your fridge. Sometimes they are forgotten about so long that it’s not safe for consumption anymore.
If you don’t want to waste money on products, make sure they are easily accessible. This way, you can keep track of their expiration date and use them before it’s too late.
Appliances, like refrigerators, use a lot of energy and can be costly to operate. By following the simple tips provided in this article, you can save money on your electric bill and help the environment at the same time.
