An old fridge can be a pretty thirsty appliance, and if you’re not ready to buy a new one, the electricity costs can quickly add up. You may be surprised that by making minor adjustments in its location, maintenance and usage, you can save a lot of money even without investing in a new model.
One of the most basic things that affects consumption is the location of the refrigerator. Avoid heat sources, i.e. places near a stove, oven or radiator, and even direct sunlight. The heat around you forces the fridge to work harder to stay cool, which of course affects your electricity bills.
Watch a video from the YT creation of the Home Clevr channel – 20 ways to save electricity at home
Source: Youtube
Temperature
It is equally important to set the temperature correctly. Values around 4 to 5 degrees Celsius for the cooling section and -18 degrees for the freezer are ideal for both food storage and energy saving. Many people do not realize that every degree below this value can increase consumption by up to several percent.
Food
Food in the refrigerator should not be stored close to each other. Air should circulate freely between them for even cooling. Put cold food in the fridge. Hot food can overheat the interior of the refrigerator, forcing it to increase performance unnecessarily. A simple measure is also not to put food directly against the walls, so the refrigerator does not have to work so hard to cool them down.
Door
One aspect that is often overlooked is the door seal. If the door does not keep the air inside and cold air constantly escapes, the refrigerator has to work harder. A small test with a piece of paper will quickly tell you if the seal is OK. Just insert it between the door and the seal, and if the paper falls out easily, it’s time to check or replace the seal.
Defrosting
For older refrigerators that do not have automatic defrosting, regular manual defrosting can also help greatly. As soon as frost accumulates to a thickness of more than 5 cm, the appliance loses its efficiency.
The back of the fridge
The condenser found on the back of the fridge can also be a sneaky energy guzzler if it’s not clean. Dust and dirt that settle on it prevent efficient heat dissipation. It is therefore a good idea to clean it once a year, for example using a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.
Don’t look at it like you would a TV
Opening the refrigerator door is a chapter in itself. The more often the door is opened, the more warm air gets in and the fridge has to cool down suddenly. It is therefore ideal to plan what you want to take out and not to open the door unnecessarily. This small habit will help you gradually reduce your consumption without having to change anything.
Source: techsvet.cz
