The term “Energy Star” gets a lot of hype in the home appliance market, and for good reason. Since they’re always on, large appliances such as refrigerators and freezers make up a high percentage of the average home’s electricity bill. If upgrading to the latest and greatest Energy Star rated refrigerator is out of the question there are other ways to save money and energy while still keeping your food cold and safe.
Refrigerators
Make sure you’re not using any more refrigerators than necessary. Most families have an old “beer fridge” in the garage or basement to keep drinks cold when entertaining. While the benefits of having a frosty brew close at hand cannot be overstated, old fridges typically use twice as much energy as new Energy Star models, 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.
Freezers
Invest in a chest freezer. Energy Star models can be had for less than $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. Purchasing a manual defrost model will keep costs low while also preventing the freezer burn that comes from 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.
Temperature
Keep an eye on your refrigerator’s temperature dial. It sometimes gets bumped out of place, and with a fridge’s constant operation, even a slight errant adjustment can cost you greatly. Set refrigerators for 37°F and freezers for 3°F. Unsure whether your fridge’s internal temperature gauge is working properly? Place an outdoor weather thermometer in both the fridge and the freezer to get an accurate assessment.
Though making these small changes may seem trivial when compared to the big picture, they do make quite a difference over months and years of operation. Pick the low-hanging fruit of energy savings. Not only is it easy to do, but you’ll reap great rewards.
