Refrigerators are one of the biggest consumers of energy in households as they run for 24 hours a day. Although your refrigerator has to be running all the time, you can still reduce the energy it takes to function. Keeping your produce fresh – while saving energy – can definitely help you save a significant amount on your electrical bills. Here is some energy saving tips for refrigerators to help you save money on your energy bills next month.
PROTECT YOUR REFRIGERATOR FROM HIGH HEAT SOURCES
In order for your food to be kept chilled to the ideal temperature, the compressor will kick into high gear whenever it is close to sources of heat. This will result in your refrigerator having to work harder and consume more energy. It may even shorten the lifespan of your refrigerator.
When deciding the location of your refrigerator, it is recommended to place it away from the dishwasher, oven, range, or any appliance that may give out high levels of heat. It is also ideal to ensure that it is not exposed to long periods of direct sunlight.
KEEP DOORS CLOSED
Regardless of the type of refrigerator you have at home, whether it is a side-by-side or french door refrigerator, one of the cheapest and most obvious ways to save energy is to keep the doors closed almost all the time. As the cold air escapes from the refrigerator, it will consume more energy to return to its original temperature. Hence, before opening the doors of your refrigerator, first decide what you want to take. Making decisions before opening your refrigerator will reduce the number of times you open it everyday, which can save a significant amount of energy.
ORGANIZE & REMOVE CLUTTER
Organizing the interior of your refrigerator plays a huge role in the amount of energy it consumes. When you are able to easily locate the items you want in your refrigerator, you will spend lesser time finding your food with the doors open, hence limiting the amount of energy used. You may also want to consider decreasing the number of items placed on the top shelf, particularly large bread items, serving dishes, or food boxes. As this is a prime location in your refrigerator, it should be utilized for the items that are used most often. The easier they are to obtain, the faster the door closes.
Furthermore, the bigger items stored at the top shelf may result in heat being trapped in the refrigerator. This will force the compressor to work harder and hence consume more energy.
CHECK THE TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the refrigerator has a huge impact on the amount of energy it takes to operate. In order for your appliance to offer the highest efficiency for your family, it is recommended to set the temperature of the refrigerator to 36 to 38 Degrees Fahrenheit. If your unit does not have exact degree readings, you should set your refrigerator to the midpoint on the temperature dial.
When switching to a new temperature, do bear in mind that it may take up to 24 hours for the change to completely take effect. However, by the next time your bill comes, you will begin to see a decrease in the energy usage.
