There are a number of things that you can do to reduce the energy used by your refrigerator. Though reducing the energy used by your refrigerator will result in a lower electric bill, there is another bonus for making certain that your refrigerator operates efficiently: it will last longer. By saving monthly on energy costs and increasing the service life of the refrigerator, these simple tips can result in substantial savings over the life of your refrigerator.
Keep it Shut
Parents have been telling kids to keep the door shut for decades and it is still good advice. Opening the door as little as possible and closing it as quickly as possible will keep the cool air from escaping and reduce the energy the refrigerator needs to maintain the proper temperature.
Check the Gasket Seal
You should periodically check the gasket on your refrigerator to make certain that it is properly sealing. To check the fit, close the door on a piece of paper (such as a dollar bill) and pull out the paper. If it slips out without resistance, you should replace the gasket.
Check the Temperature
A general rule is to set the refrigerator to maintain a temperature between 34 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to check the temperature in your fridge. If it is set too cool, changing the temperature control to a warmer setting will result in a reduction in the energy that your refrigerator uses. The freezer should operate at about 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep it Full
For many, the refrigerator only holds a few items at one time. This is especially true of second homes and vacation homes. If you must keep the refrigerator on at all times, it is best to keep the refrigerator as full as possible. To take up space, you can fill containers with water and place them in the refrigerator. While you do not want the refrigerator to be empty, do not overfill the refrigerator either. If the refrigerator is too full, air will not properly circulate through the refrigerator, causing it to use more energy.
Keep it Clean
At least twice a year, clean the coils on the refrigerator to remove dust, cobwebs and whatever else may have accumulated on the coils. The coils will be located on the back or bottom of the refrigerator. You may need to remove a cover to access the coils for cleaning. Appliance stores sell a special brush for this purpose, but you can use any soft plastic bristle brush to clean the coils. Another option is to simply vacuum the coils clean.
Pull the Blinds
Many kitchens have large windows that are aesthetically pleasing. However, having the sun beating in on the refrigerator and the kitchen in general will heat the refrigerator causing it to have to work harder. While in most cases pulling the blinds in the kitchen will only result in minimal savings from the refrigerator, keeping the heat out of the kitchen will also reduce the energy used by your air conditioner to cool the room.