How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in your home. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy a new model and even new models can use more energy than they should. If your refrigerator isn’t properly cared for, or placed in the right location, it can cost you even more, regardless of age. The good news is you can quickly make your refrigerator more energy-efficient.

Clean the Coils

The kitchen can be a dirty place, especially if you saute or fry foods. The grease can cover all the surfaces, including the coils of your refrigerator. This allows dust a better chance to build up, which in turn causes more heat to build up. When there is excess heat, the refrigerator has to work harder to keep your food cold. To clean the coils, move your refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum the coils several times per year.

Check the Seal

Checking the seal is easy. All you need to do is place a dollar bill in the refrigerator and close the door. If you can easily pull the dollar bill from the door, you need to replace the seal. When the seal isn’t strong, you’re losing cold air from the fridge and cause the unit to work harder.

Turn Off the Ice Maker

The ice maker can use up to 14 to 20% of your refrigerator’s total energy use. As one of the biggest energy users in the house, that can really add up. If you want to easily save energy, unplug the ice maker. You can always purchase a bag of ice at the store or break out the old school ice trays.

Move Away From the Stove

Housing a refrigerator next to the stove requires your refrigerator to work much harder when you’re cooking. If at all possible, you want to move your refrigerator to a location in the kitchen that isn’t next to a heat source. This includes the dishwasher and heat vents.

Stop Storing Things on Top

If you have a small kitchen, it can be tempting to take advantage of every nook and cranny for storage. Unfortunately, placing items on top of the fridge can prevent heat from escaping from the back, which will cause your fridge to work harder. Another tip that falls into this category is to also avoid putting your refrigerator into a cubby hole that doesn’t allow proper ventilation.

Keep Your Fridge Organized

Last, but not least, take the time to organize your fridge so that you can open it and find what you need. The longer you have the refrigerator open, the more energy is required to bring it back to the right temperature. While you’re organizing, also make sure that the fridge isn’t too full. If the fridge is too full, air cannot circulate and your refrigerator will have to work harder.

You may not need to buy a new refrigerator to save money. You can greatly improve a refrigerator’s energy-efficiency by following these tips. Sometimes it’s as easy as cleaning the coils and replacing the seal. Regardless, these tips can help you save big on your energy costs.

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