Americans open their refrigerators 33 times a day on average, according to ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s energy-saving program. The longer the refrigerator door is open, the harder the appliance must work to maintain a cold temperature.
You can help save energy by limiting the time the refrigerator door is kept open – and by knowing more about your kitchen’s biggest appliance.
- Make sure the refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a slip of paper (like a dollar bill), so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can remove the paper easily, the door latch may require adjustment or the seal may need to be replaced.
- Keep the condenser coils clean on older units. The user’s manual provides instructions on how to safely clean coils, and coil cleaning brushes are available at most hardware stores.
- Consider the age of your refrigerator. Is it 15 years old or more? You can reduce your energy consumption by as much as 40% if you upgrade to a newer, ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator.
- Make an informed purchase. When choosing a new refrigerator, know that units with top-mounted freezers use 10% to 25% less energy than those with bottom or side-by-side units.
Stay cool, conserve and save money with more refrigerator energy efficiency tips.
Sources: Energystar.gov, Energy.gov.