Buzz
Using your refrigerators correctly not only saves electricity efficiently but also significantly improves their lifespan. Here are some handy tricks for you to keep in mind about ways to keep your home refrigerator always energy-efficient for your family...
1. Effective Ways to Save Energy with Your Refrigerator!
When used correctly, refrigerators not only save electricity efficiently but also significantly extend their lifespan. Here are some practical tips for you to keep in mind about ways to keep your home refrigerator always energy-efficient for your family.
Regularly Clean the Condenser
The condenser unit, made of metal and installed behind the refrigerator, functions to remove heat from the compressor.
Hence, it's advisable to clean the condenser coil at least every 6 months (or once a year) to prevent dust buildup.
A well-functioning condenser coil ensures the compressor works efficiently to cool food. This also enhances food preservation and reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.
Clean the refrigerator condenser coil using a brush.
Wrap food tightly before placing it in the refrigerator.
Before storing in the fridge, food should be placed in food containers or wrapped tightly. This helps maintain freshness and moisture levels in the cold environment.
Moreover, the refrigerator compressor operates more effectively in regulating humidity levels inside the unit. Tight wrapping of food aids in reducing compressor workload, resulting in lower energy consumption.
Avoid keeping the refrigerator door open for too long.
Frequent opening and closing of the refrigerator door force the compressor to constantly adjust temperature to maintain coldness and specific humidity levels inside the refrigerator.
Even a slight opening of the refrigerator door increases the temperature of the food inside, causing the compressor to operate again to lower the temperature.
Continuous opening and closing of the door will result in higher electricity consumption for your refrigerator. Avoid keeping the refrigerator door open for too long to prevent energy wastage!
Open and close the refrigerator quickly to save electricity.
Ensure the refrigerator is adequately filled with food.
This might sound strange! When the refrigerator is moderately filled with food, you inadvertently balance the temperature inside the refrigerator. This is because the cold foods help in cooling each other.
Therefore, if your refrigerator doesn't contain much food, you can place additional cold water bottles or ice packs inside.
Ensure appropriate temperature settings.
Inside the refrigerator, if the temperature is too warm, food will quickly lose its freshness. Conversely, if the temperature is too cold, food may spoil.
Hence, you need to maintain the right temperature to ensure efficient energy usage by the refrigerator.
Adjust the temperature settings properly for the refrigerator.
Expert Advice:
- Refrigerator compartment temperature: 37°F – 40°F (equivalent to 2°C – 4°C).
- Freezer compartment temperature: 5°F (~-15°C).
- For refrigerator compartment: Place a thermometer in a glass of water at the center of the refrigerator, check after 24 hours.
- For freezer compartment: Place a thermometer among frozen foods, check after 24 hours.
Opt for a smaller refrigerator capacity for smaller households.
With a larger refrigerator capacity, more refrigerant will be needed to cool the entire space inside the refrigerator. Consequently, the refrigerator will consume more energy.
For instance, small families (2 people) or newlyweds don't need to buy a 300-liter refrigerator; instead, they can opt for a refrigerator with a capacity of about 90 – 150 liters.
Choose a refrigerator capacity that suits your needs.
Regularly inspect the door seal.
The refrigerator door - on the inside, is often fitted with a seal, preventing the internal temperature from leaking outside when closed.
If the door seal is warped or torn, cold air (inside the refrigerator) will escape outside. Simultaneously, room temperature air (outside the refrigerator) can easily infiltrate inside. Consequently, the refrigerator will need to use more energy to regulate the temperature again.
Therefore, when you notice an issue with the refrigerator door seal, promptly replace them!
Regularly check the door seal.
Avoid placing hot food in the refrigerator.
You inadvertently place hot food, even a pot of stew, freshly cooked, into the refrigerator. All the heat from the food will radiate, warming the air inside the refrigerator.
At that point, the refrigerator compressor will have to use more electricity, working harder to cool the air inside the refrigerator. Thus, it's difficult for you to save energy when using the refrigerator.
Absolutely avoid putting hot food in the refrigerator.
Regularly defrost the freezer compartment (For frost-free refrigerators).
If the refrigerator freezer compartment doesn't have an automatic defrosting function, then you need to regularly defrost it.
Note: Don't let the frost layer exceed 0.5 cm thick, as it will obstruct the airflow in the freezer compartment and retain food moisture.
Limiting the moisture content of food stored in the refrigerator will save significant energy. Moist air requires more energy to cool quickly.
Regularly defrosting the refrigerator also contributes to energy savings.
Turn off the automatic ice-making feature.
If the automatic ice-making feature is enabled, the refrigerator will consume more energy. Therefore, turn off this feature when not in use or when there is plenty of ice in the bin.
Turn off the automatic ice-making feature to save refrigerator energy.
Keep away from heat sources.
Try to keep your refrigerator away from ovens or heat-emitting devices, especially under sunlight. These factors will warm up your refrigerator, particularly affecting the efficient operation of the refrigerator compressor.
Position the refrigerator away from heat-emitting appliances and sunlight.
