Refrigerators can be the largest energy consumers in the home making it a primary target if you’re looking to cut your energy expenses and reduce your environmental impact. The easiest way to reduce the energy use from your refrigerator is to replace it with a new, energy-efficient model, especially if it’s more than 15 years old. The savings in energy consumption will help the fridge pay for itself in just a few years.
But what about newer refrigerators or anyone who doesn’t have a few thousand dollars laying around for an upgrade? Here are some tried and true tips and tricks to help your fridge be more efficient.
1. Clean the Coils
Usually located either on the back of the refrigerator or underneath a grill on the front, the condenser coils do the heavy lifting in terms of cooling. If they become caked with dirt and dust, it can cause the appliance to have to work harder to eliminate heat. Luckily, this is a relatively easy task. Just unplug the refrigerator and use a vacuum to remove the debris. When you put the refrigerator back into place, leave some space between it and the wall so there’s plenty of room for air circulation.
2. Check the Temps
When it comes to food storage, colder isn’t always better. If your storage temperatures are just 10°F lower than necessary, your refrigerator can use up to 25% more energy! Fridge temps should be between 36° and 38°F, and freezers should be set between 0° and 5°F. Monitoring temps is simple, and you can pick up a fridge/freezer thermometer for under $10.
