Refrigerators are amazing appliances that allow us to store and preserve fresh food. Although refrigerators are helpful to have in any family home, their electricity usage can turn costly when the appliance is not properly utilized. To avoid expensive electricity bills, follow the ten tips below to ensure that your refrigerator is running efficiently using just the right amount of electricity.
Check and Adjust Your Refrigerator’s Temperature Settings
Most refrigerators have a control panel that allows you to set the cooling temperature to your liking. However, there are also ideal temperature settings that would ensure an optimum environment within your fridge. Setting the chill functions at the highest setting will cool food faster but it could also mean your fridge is using up more energy. However, if the setting is too low, you run the risk of spoiling the food stored inside your refrigerator.
Check your refrigerator’s actual temperature to see if your fridge can maintain a temperature between 1.7℃ and 3.3℃. For your freezer, check if the temperature is -17℃ or lower. These settings are recommended as the ideal temperature for keeping your food cold and slowing down the growth of harmful bacteria. These temperature settings are also energy-efficient because it is easier for your fridge to maintain that internal temperature even when you open the fridge door and allow hot air to enter the chamber.
If your refrigerator’s temperature is higher or lower than the recommended setting, adjust the thermostat accordingly.
Position Your Refrigerator Far From Heating Appliances
Place your refrigerator away from other kitchen appliances that use or emit heat. These are usually ovens, gas stoves, and occasionally, dishwashers. The heat produced by these appliances can affect the temperature settings of your fridge. The warm environment can result in your fridge needing to work twice as hard to keep the products stored inside it cool.
Give Your Refrigerator Some Breathing Room
Aside from keeping your refrigerator away from heating appliances, store your refrigerator in a place where your fridge can get proper air circulation. Most houses will have a corner for refrigerators, so measure this corner carefully to ensure the sides and back of your fridge is at least 5cm away from the wall.
You should also avoid putting things on top of your refrigerator. Doing so makes it difficult for your refrigerator to expel the heat of its compressor, causing your refrigerator to overheat and use more energy to keep your food cold.
Lessen the Number of Times You Open Your Refrigerator Door
When you open your refrigerator door, you let cold air out while hot air gets inside the fridge. The hot air inside your refrigerator disrupts its temperature settings, causing your refrigerator to work harder to bring the temperature back to its original state.
In addition to lessening the number of times you open your refrigerator door, avoid keeping the refrigerator door open for a long time. One of the best ways to avoid keeping doors open for too long is by keeping fridge contents organized. An organized refrigerator allows you to find what you need quickly and easily, rather than spending time rummaging for food and ingredients.
Check and Maintain Your Refrigerator’s Door Seal
The rubberized seal on your refrigerator’s door traps the cool air inside and helps your fridge maintain its temperature. Make sure the seal is working by checking to see if your refrigerator door stays closed and offers a bit of resistance when you try to open it.
If the seal breaks or loosens, cold air seeps out while hot air gets inside the refrigerator. A broken seal also keeps your refrigerator door open, causing your fridge to use up even more energy. If you notice a problem with the seal, contact the fridge’s manufacturer or repair center for solutions.
Clean Your Refrigerator’s Condenser Coils Regularly
Condenser coils are what keep your refrigerator cool and draw out the heat of your refrigerator. The coils can usually be found at the back or bottom of the fridge.
Due to their somewhat inaccessible location, the coils are prone to collecting dust. Dust-covered coils complicate the cooling process by inhibiting the fridge from expelling heat. If your fridge cannot expel heat efficiently, your refrigerator will use more energy to keep the temperature inside cold. Aside from increasing your electric bill, this will also make your refrigerator more prone to breaking down.
Regularly cleaning your refrigerator’s condenser coils can help your fridge maintain its ability to keep your refrigerator cool. A yearly clean is recommended, but if your home has pets, clean your condenser coils at least once a month.
Avoid Overfilling Your Refrigerator
A full refrigerator will have less open space to cool. As food products keep cool, they can also help your refrigerator maintain its required temperature.
However, don’t cram too many things or food inside your fridge. A too-full fridge can block air vents inside the refrigerator, causing the freezer and refrigerator compartments to have fluctuating temperatures. For optimum fridge performance, fill your fridge up to two-thirds full and make sure not to block the vents.
Cover Food and Liquids Before Storing in Your Refrigerator
A dry environment is necessary for maintaining the right temperature settings inside the fridge. However, uncovered food and drinks release moisture into the air, affecting internal humidity. With more moisture being added to the air, your fridge needs to use more energy to keep the inside environment dry.
Store food in airtight containers to seal the moisture within. Likewise, cover drinking containers with covers, caps, or cling wrap. Make sure to also wipe up any spills as soon as they occur.
Cool Down Hot Food Before Storing in Your Refrigerator
Hot food releases warm air into your refrigerator, so your refrigerator will have to work twice as hard to actively cool the food. Let hot food reach room temperature, seal it in an airtight container, and then store it in your fridge.
Turn on Your Refrigerator’s Energy-Saving Mode
Modern refrigerators have energy-saving or power-saving modes. This function usually turns off the heater that prevents condensation on your refrigerator’s door. Meanwhile, some refrigerators save energy by switching from actively cooling the refrigerator compartment to maintaining the desired temperature. Your fridge will do this once food and products inside the fridge have chilled.
With these ten tips, you are surely able to keep your refrigerator from using up too much electricity. Aside from keeping your refrigerator energy-efficient, some of these tips can also help you maintain your refrigerator so it can last you and your home a long time.
