Refrigerators: Cooling Down Your Electric Bill

Did you know that your refrigerator and freezer use more energy than any other appliance, consuming one-sixth of the energy in your home? If you’re interested in shaving a little something off of your electric bill, here are some tips for making sure your fridge and freezer are operating efficiently.

1. If you are using a conventional refrigerator sold in 2001, it is using 40 percent more energy than new refrigerators with an ENERGY STAR label. These energy efficient refrigerators also use at least 20 percent less energy than required by current federal standards. The EnergyGuide label on refrigerators tell you how much energy is required to run the unit. The smaller the number, the less energy the refrigerator uses and the more money you will save over time.

2. According to the EPA, recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 3°F for the freezer section. Setting the temps lower than this is usually unnecessary.

3. Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. A simple test: close the door on a piece of paper that is half in/half sticking out. If you can easily slip the paper out, the seal may need replacing, or it may be time for a new unit.

4. Top freezer models are more energy efficient than side-by-side models.

5. Water dispensers and icemakers increase energy use.

6. Keep freezers full. The fuller it is, the less space to trap warm air when the door is open. The greater the amounts of warm air entering the freezer, the harder it has to work to maintain its temperature. If your freezer isn’t stocked up with food, you can fill plastic jugs with water to reduce the empty space.

7. Frost buildup reduces the energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers. Regularly defrost them, allowing no more than one-quarter of an inch of frost to build up.

8. Know what you want, then get in and out efficiently. Organizing the food in your fridge will help everyone to know where to look for the items they want. Marking foods in the freezer will make them easier to identify, reducing the amount of cold air escaping through doors staying open excessively.

9. Let hot foods cool before putting them in freezer.

10. Look for models with automatic moisture control, a feature that prevents moisture from accumulating on the exterior cabinet without the use of an additional heater.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kerrie G.

9:30AM PDT on Apr 11, 2012

Thanks for the tips.

send a green star

Michele W.

4:58AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Thank you

Sisilie B.

5:19AM PDT on Sep 7, 2011

Great tips!

KS G.

12:37AM PDT on Aug 27, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Robert O.

9:01AM PST on Feb 8, 2011

Good tips. Thank Terri. With utility companies constantly raising rates this is more important to remember than ever.

Sarah n.

4:01PM PST on Dec 19, 2010

I just bought a new fridge, 18 cu ft and it is $50 a year in electric a year. There was a small fridge that was 'energy star" and the difference was $15 a year less. It should have been as it was a smaller fridge. There doesn't seem to be that much difference these days...even the newer fridges not rated ES are almost the same, on the same cost area. I was glad to get a new one to save energy, though. Just didn't see enough difference in the rating system.

Jennifer B.

6:37AM PST on Dec 15, 2010

I very recently purchased a new Energy Star bottom freezer french door refrigerator that was on sale for $400 off the original price, plus my local utility offered a $50 rebate on that, plus they came and removed the old working 17 year old side by side for another $50. I've wanted an Energy Saver since I bought this place 3 years ago but had to deal with a narrow (31.5") width or have cabinetry removed and just happened to see this model in a sales email. The other extra bonus was I got to finance it interest free for 18 months. And so far I love the new fridge even though it doesn't have in the door ice & water.

Julie F.

7:26AM PDT on Aug 21, 2010

interesting

Karin M.

5:51PM PDT on Aug 14, 2010

Thank you.

2:14PM PDT on Aug 13, 2010

thanks for your help