Always plugged in and always working to keep our food fresh the refrigerator can waste a lot of energy if it's not insulated properly, not set to the correct temperature or is simply outdated and inefficient. The Green Guide just released a Buying Guide with great suggestions. If you own a refrigerator made before 2001 it's time to upgrade and if you're upgrading you should choose Energy Star products.
They list the Sanyo SR-1030W as offering the Best Value and the Sun Frost RF-12 as the Greenest product. For more information on specific products visit:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/refrigerators
In the meantime, here are a few of The Green Guide's Usage Tips:
1. Don't keep your fridge too cold. Refrigerators should be kept between 37 and 40 degrees and freezers at 5 degrees. Colder temperatures waste energy. To test the temperature, leave an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the middle shelf for 24 hours. In the freezer, place a thermometer among packs of frozen food.
2. Clean the coils annually.
3. Cover food and drink to avoid evaporation in the fridge, which can force the compressor to work harder.
4. Keep your freezer filled. Frozen blocks of food keep freezer temperatures more stable.
5. Don't clutter the fridge top; it can hamper the compressor's proper air circulation.
6. Don't put your refrigerator in direct sunlight or next to an oven or dishwasher.
7. Check the door seals. They should be able to hold a piece of paper in place.
8. Defrost the freezer regularly and avoid frost build-ups of more than a quarter-inch.
Comments(2)