Updated at: 12-09-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

Continue reading if you’re strapped for cash but still need a place to store food and want to learn how to reduce your refrigerator’s energy consumption. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of 7 guidelines we hope you’ll find useful. Furthermore, there is no need to keep a refrigerator running continuously to preserve food quality.

Along with the unit’s size and advanced features, this is a crucial factor to think about while looking for a refrigerator.

A huge capacity refrigerator is unnecessary for your little kitchen. Get a fridge that’s just the right size for keeping your perishables fresh and organized. The only time this would be acceptable is if you had already bought the product and discovered that it was too pricey or used too much electricity. This post will teach you the most efficient methods for reducing your energy consumption. Don’t give up on the reading!

Practical Tips To Minimize Fridge’s Power Usage

This article is meant to serve as a guide for those who don’t yet own a refrigerator but anticipate purchasing one in the near future. We’ve also produced a list of the best ways to cut down on your fridge’s energy consumption. Although these suggestions may cause you to become more frugal and responsible in your home ownership, this is ultimately a good thing. The findings are as follows:

Tip #1. Choose an energy-efficient fridge

If you’re in need of a new refrigerator or are thinking about replacing your current one, give this some thought. The cubic foot volume of a refrigerator is generally the determining factor in how much electricity it requires. If you’re in the market for a refrigerator and want something in the middle size range, a 4-6 cu ft unit is a good choice. Side-by-side refrigerators and other versions with a larger capacity use more power than standard upright freezers.

Tip #2. Ensure proper ventilation

Check that the spot where you intend to put the refrigerator has sufficient air flow. Your monthly electric cost could rise if this is not the case. If it is currently placed next to a wall or is surrounded by cabinets, you should move it immediately. If the refrigerator is unable to vent the hot air out the back or sides, the air will cycle back inside. Overheating is almost inevitable. This means that the system will have to work harder, leading to a higher need for electricity.

How To Reduce Electricity Consumption Of Refrigerator? - 8 Tips That Every Homeowner Can Implement | Engineers Hub

Tip #3. Don’t leave the door open

The refrigerator door should be kept open as little as possible. If you allow the chilly air to escape, the compressor will have to work harder to keep the food at the desired temperature. In addition to overheating the engine and breaking the thermostat, leaving the door open can cause additional damage.

To avoid this, please keep the door closed at all times. Additionally, you may make sure no warm air is escaping by checking the door seal to see if it is loose. There should not be any mold or dirt. In the event of irreparable damage, a replacement should be purchased.

Tip #4. Be organized

When your belongings are well-organized and convenient to grab, you won’t need to leave the door open for as long. When you open the door, you’ll see what you need right away. Optimizing the space within your fridge can also be accomplished through strategic food storage. You should take advantage of all the space available so that the air conditioning unit can do its job. How, therefore, can you maintain optimal conditions for safe and healthy food storage? Stack them on one side and store them in containers if you need to. Containers can be labeled for easy identification and retrieval.

Tip #5. Avoid storing warm food in the fridge

Leftovers from dinner should be allowed to chill for a few minutes before being reheated. Keep them far from the refrigerator so the thermistor doesn’t pick up false readings that cause the temperature to drop below what it should be. And doing this frequently can lead to problems with your fridge. Long-term storage and reheating of cooked food is possible in the refrigerator.

Tip #6. Upgrade to a newer model

The latest models reduce electricity consumption by 66% as compared to their predecessors. You may think you’re saving money, but in reality, you’re spending more than you would have for a modern refrigerator. The large discrepancy could be due to faulty or rusty electrical parts. If the engine isn’t strong enough, auxiliary power will be required.

Tip #7. Set the fridge to power-saving mode

If your refrigerator offers this feature, you should use it frequently. The door heaters/heating coils are disabled in this setting. It is possible to reduce energy consumption by as much as 10% with this setting. In terms of energy efficiency, the Frigidaire Top Freezer Refrigerator stands out.

What to look for when buying a new energy-efficient refrigerator

Here are six tips from ENERGY STAR® that will help you zero in on a fridge that won’t break the bank while also being environmentally friendly.

  1. Ensure that there is sufficient space in the kitchen for a refrigerator. If you want good airflow, give the unit at least a centimeter of clearance on both sides. Take into consideration the location of any walls, cabinets, or appliances that the door’s swing might hit.
  2. Depending on how many people live in your home, pick a suitable size. What is the average capacity of a fridge, in cubic feet? Freezers ranging in size from 16 to 20 cubic feet tend to be the most space-efficient option.
  3. You might want to think about getting rid of the ice maker and dispenser in the kitchen. They are practical, since they lessen the frequency with which the freezer door must be opened, so helping to maintain a constant temperature inside. Adding a condenser fan to a refrigerator could increase its price by 14–20%.
  4. Energy-efficient refrigerators are the best option. The condensation-preventing heating coils can be turned down or off with this switch. Because of this, you should expect a 5-10% decrease in the electricity consumption of your refrigerator’s anti-sweat heaters.
  5. There may be long-term financial benefits to putting food in the fridge. If you want a refrigerator that uses less energy, you should prioritize finding one that has earned the ENERGY STAR® label. These home appliances typically have better efficiency ratings than the market standard and are sometimes eligible for price reductions.
  6. Check the accurate number on the EnergyGuide label to find the most energy-efficient fridge.

The 6 Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators of 2022

Best Overall: Whirlpool 21 cu. ft. Side by Side Refrigerator in Monochromatic Stainless Steel

Dimensions: 32.75 x 66.63 x 33.63 inches; weight: 242.5 pounds; warranty: 1 year; annual energy use: 602 kilowatt hours

The Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerator has all the essentials covered and is the best refrigerator you can buy. Black, white, and monochromatic tones are all acceptable paint jobs for stainless steel. The refrigerator’s modular design allows for a wide range of storage configurations thanks to its four freezer baskets/bins, three freezer shelves, four refrigerator shelves, and two repositionable gallon door bins. There are a number of functional additions, including a crisper drawer that is also humidity-controlled. This fridge has an internal ice and water dispenser in addition to the exterior unit.

This Energy Star-approved fridge has a nightlight on the water dispenser and LED lighting on both shelves.

Best Budget: LG LTCS20020S 20 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator

Dimensions: 20.2-cubic-feet volume, 202-pound weight, 1-year warranty (parts and labor), yearly 430-kilowatt-hour energy consumption (kilowatt-hours per year)

LG 20 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator (LTCS20020S) | LG USA

If you’re in the market for a high-quality refrigerator but are on a tight budget, consider LG’s Top Freezer model. Because of its low decibel level of operation (LoDecibel), it received the 2020 Energy Star Most Efficient designation. The fridge can be purchased in either white or stainless steel. There contains a freezer compartment, as well as two shelves, two humidity crisper bins, and two gallon-sized door bins. The ice maker is a possible add-on during checkout.

The linear compressor parts come with a 6- to 10-year limited guarantee, while the sealing and compressor components and labor come with a 5-year warranty.

Best Splurge: LG LTCS24223S 33-inch Top-Freezer Refrigerator

Energy consumption per year is 501 kilowatt hours; weight is 284 pounds; capacity is 28.8 cubic feet; dimensions are 33 by 69 by 32 inches; warranty is 1 year on parts and labor; guarantee on sealed system and compressor is 5 years; dimensions are 33 by 69 by 32 inches

Considering its many advantages, this LG refrigerator’s higher price tag is justified. It has a chime to remind you to close the door and energy-efficient LED panels for lighting. It’s whisper quiet and has a crisper that regulates humidity.

There is a built-in ice maker with a basket that can be removed for cleaning, as well as glass shelves and stealthy hinges. Temperature and humidity are controlled by a digital sensor, and the temperature can be adjusted with a digital touchpad. One disadvantage is that it comes in a limited palette of hues.

Best Large: Dacor DRF36C000SR 36″ Counter-Depth Free Standing Refrigerator

Measured at 35.75 by 70 by 30.87 inches, and weighing in at 375 pounds, this appliance offers a total of 22.6 cubic feet of storage space. The parts and labor for this appliance are covered for three years respectively.

Larger things may be stored in the Dacor Freestanding Refrigerator thanks to its slide and fold shelves and flexible storage partition. The French doors on this refrigerator allow for the storage of larger products as well as more fresh food. A full-width storage drawer holds everything from cold drinks to deli meats. In addition to a 48-ounce pitcher with an infuser, an external ice and water dispenser is included, as is an inside water dispenser for the pitcher.

Best Small: Frigidaire FFET1022UV 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator

The Dacor Freestanding Refrigerator’s slide and fold shelves and flexible storage partition make it possible to store much larger items. This refrigerator’s spacious interior and wide French doors make it ideal for storing a wide variety of perishable goods. Everything from cold beverages to deli meats can be stored in a single, full-width drawer. A 48-ounce pitcher with an infuser, an external ice and water dispenser, and a water dispenser for the pitcher are all included.

Apartment dwellers and those with constrained space will appreciate the white, black, or stainless steel finish of the Frigidaire Top Freezer Apartment-Size Refrigerator. Two full-width door bins that can handle larger objects, such as gallon jugs, and two crisper drawers are included in the storage options. Two glass shelves are adjustable in height, making them suitable for displaying tall items. Refrigerator: There are 2 shelves and 2 bins in the freezer.

Best Smart: LG LMXS28596S 28 cu. ft. Smart wi-fi Enabled InstaView™ Door-in-Door® Refrigerator

The white, black, or stainless steel Frigidaire Top Freezer Apartment-Size Refrigerator is perfect for dorm rooms and smaller homes. Two crisper drawers and two full-width door bins that can accommodate items as large as gallon jugs are provided. Two glass shelves are adjustable in height, making them suitable for displaying both short and tall items. There are two shelves in the refrigerator and two drawers in the freezer.

The LG InstaView Door-in-Door Wi-Fi Refrigerator is an energy-efficient smart fridge. The stainless steel or black stainless steel refrigerator has French doors for a modern look and is easy to keep clean thanks to their fingerprint- and smudge-resistant surfaces. Using SmartThinq Technology, the fridge may be adjusted to your liking.

With the SmartThinQ app, you can change the temperature in your fridge and freezer from a distance and receive notifications when the water filter needs to be changed. The refrigerator can also be managed by means of the Google Assistant or the Alexa from Amazon. The device can be locked down so that kids can’t use it. LG’s InstaView Door-in-Door The mirrored glass door panel becomes see-through upon repeated knocking. In this way, you can see exactly what’s stored in your fridge.

An internal storage area is accessible by a door within the main entrance. It has two distinct freezer drawers and two freezer bins, accessible through two of the four doors. This fridge has four shelves and a “Glide n’ Serve Drawer,” making it great for storing food for large gatherings. This refrigerator has a water dispenser that is accessible from the outside. The Energy Star program has validated its efficiency.

How to read a refrigerator’s EnergyGuide label

A refrigerator’s energy consumption can be found on the yellow EnergyGuide label. We have created a cheat-sheet for EnergyGuide labels based on the most frequently used metrics found on these labels.

  1. Specifics about the Model of Refrigerator in Question.
  2. The typical American’s monthly expense for cooling their perishables.
  3. Calculated annual electricity costs to run the fridge.
  4. According to energystar.gov, only refrigerators with the ENERGY STAR designation can be relied upon to deliver on their claims of reduced energy use.
  5. To better understand the refrigerator’s place in the cost spectrum, a price range can be helpful.
  6. Gives details about the refrigerator, such as its make, model, and storage capacity.

Which refrigerator style is most energy efficient?

If you want to buy a new refrigerator and save money on electricity, give some thought to where the freezer will go. Comparing the energy efficiency of bottom-mount vs. side-by-side vs. top-mount refrigerators or top-mount vs. side-by-side refrigerators is not a fair test because the location of the freezer does matter. The most efficient refrigerator model is one with a freezer located on the top. An ice dispenser can reduce the energy efficiency of a top-mount freezer refrigerator by as much as 5%, as stated by ENERGY STAR®. In terms of energy consumption, the typical ENERGY STAR® refrigerator is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

Why the top-mount freezer refrigerator is the most energy-efficient refrigerator

It may seem that having a freezer on top or bottom of a fridge is a matter of personal preference, but the freezer’s position in relation to the fridge’s compressor actually determines how much energy the fridge uses. The compressor, situated at the base, is the source of the generated heat. The bottom freezer is already struggling to keep up with the weather, and this heat only makes things worse. Compared to bottom freezer models, top freezers use less energy because the compressor is located higher up.

More tips for saving on a new refrigerator:

  • When shopping for a new refrigerator, the best time to save money is around major holidays like Presidents Day and Black Friday.
  • New refrigerator models typically debut in September, October, and January.
  • Before buying a new appliance, it’s a good idea to find out if the government is offering a rebate on the purchase price.
  • Consumer Reports advises shoppers to factor in the cost of repairs when considering a new fridge. Side-by-side refrigerators with icemakers require more maintenance than top- or bottom-freezer models. Consumer Reports found that the repair rate for side-by-side models equipped with icemakers was 36%. Top- and bottom-mount freezer refrigerators with icemakers have a 28 percent utilization rate, while those without icemakers have a 15 percent utilization rate.

FAQs

Are new refrigerators more efficient?

The energy efficiency of refrigerators has improved during the past two decades, says Horowitz. This is a result of compliance with energy efficiency regulations mandated by the U.S. Department of Energy. In part because of these regulations, new refrigerators now use half as much energy as they did in 1990.

How to Increase Refrigerator Cooling

Do energy-efficient refrigerators qualify for tax credits?

There are no rebates for buying a fridge that uses less electricity. On the other side, certain utility companies and manufacturers offer rebates to their customers.

Is a full refrigerator more energy efficient?

Horowitz claims that the energy consumption of a refrigerator drops when it is full.

Closing Thoughts

Finally, some suggestions for cutting the fridge’s power consumption. An ideal refrigerator would maintain the ideal temperature for your food without breaking the bank. It’s a game-changer that makes you feel at ease with the world. It is our sincere desire that you implement the suggestions we have made and report back to us on the results in terms of your monthly electricity costs. To acquire knowledge on how to reduce energy consumption at home. To adjust the air conditioner’s fan speed, go here. Save money by reducing your energy consumption.