Selecting the right Fridge

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One of the first appliances that springs to homeowners' minds when considering energy efficiency is the refrigerator: it's on all the time, in use every day and it's a big, visible (and sometimes noisy) machine. It's also one of the easiest to grow fond of and reluctant to change, especially if your kids' drawings are stuck all over it!

If you have a refrigerator that's been in your home since the 1980s, you should replace it with a modern, efficient model and save yourself over $100 a year. If your fridge is associated with memories of disco dancing in the 1970s, you could save twice as much - don't believe it click here.

The Energy Star site even has a savings calculato r to encourage consumers to ditch the old and bring in the new.

Buying Tips

When you're looking for a new fridge, bear the following tips in mind:

  • Top-down is better

Side-by-side fridges, with a freezer compartment next to the fridge, are can use up to 30% more energy than those with the freezer above or below the fridge compartment. That's true even if they have the Energy Star label.

  • Always read the label

The Energy Star site has kWh/year (power usage) ratings for every model carrying their label, so make sure you compare your options. Also check the yellow EnergyGuide label on the appliance itself and stats on the manufacturer's website.

  • Bigger is better

Those cute little micro-fridges consume far more energy per cubic foot of cooler space than a normal appliance. Avoid them.

  • But not too big

Appliances with over 25 cubic feet of storage use significantly more energy than a normal-sized model. On the other hand, if you really need that much space and aren't just storing stuff you'll never eat, a bigger fridge is usually a better option than two smaller ones.

Usage Tips

To get the best energy efficiency from your fridge, you should:

  • Ensure that you keep the door seals as clean as possible: even bits of dirt in the seal crease can affect your energy use. Don't get paranoid, though – a periodic check will suffice! The same goes for ice buildup: defrost when you notice it.
  • Keep the refrigerator out of direct sunlight and away from other appliances that generate heat (such as ovens, dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers). Make sure it's well ventilated, too, since it'll generate a lot of heat on its own.
  • Try to keep the temperature setting relatively warm, ideally around 36-38°F in the fridge and 0-5°F in the freezer. It'll use less energy that way.
  • Keep the compartments full, even if you have to fill containers with water and put them in. Your energy use will spike initially to reduce the temperature but will bottom out and stay lower than if the appliance is empty.
  • Always let food cool off before you put it in the fridge or freezer and don't keep the door open for longer than necessary.
  • Switch on the power save option if you have it. If you get a build-up of condensation, switch it