Energy Star refrigerator and freezer cost savings

The term "Energy Star" has been getting a lot of hype lately in the home appliance market, and with good reason. Large appliances such as refrigerators and freezers can make up a large percentage of the average home's electricity bill. However, the current state of the economy may mean that a new refrigerator that meets the Energy Star international standard may be out of the question. The good news is that there are other ways to save money while still keeping your food cold and safe.

For starters, make sure you're not using any more refrigerators than you have to. Most families have an old "beer fridge" in the garage or basement for tasty beverages that may be served during parties or while having friends over to watch the game. While the benefits of having a frosty brew close at hand cannot be overstated, these old fridges typically use twice as much energy as a new Energy Star refrigerator, making their constant use even more detrimental. Keep that fridge unplugged (and open so it doesn't develop any nasty odors) until the night before your gathering and you can save enough money over the year to fill it with another twenty cases of beer.

Once you have that sorted out, the next step is to invest in a chest freezer. Energy Star models can be had for under $300, will only cost $30 a year to operate, and will keep your frozen food in good shape even longer, since the cold air doesn't spill out as it does from an upright model every time you open the door. Keep your costs low by buying a manual defrost model, which has the added benefit of preventing freezer burn that can be caused by auto-defrost freezers. Aside from the energy savings, using this freezer to store meat and produce purchased in bulk from a warehouse store can save you even more money, while still allowing your family to eat like royalty.