IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR CHILL’IN?

That big, tall box that is stuffed into a corner or a gap in the cabinets in the kitchen. You know, the box that everyone in the family is constantly walking over to and opening the doors, staring into it for a bit, and finally removing things from it. Yeah, that box that turns on and runs periodically all day and all night that’s called a refrigerator and keeps your food cold to preserve it. Well, that box, the refrigerator, just happens to be one of the biggest energy users in your home. And, if that refrigerator is 20 or more years old, it is a major energy user in your home and is very inefficient by today’s standards and especially when compared with new units. Refrigerators seem to run on and on for years and are so expensive to replace, many of us, me included, find it a painful choice to replace a running refrigerator. But, if we knew what that old unit was costing us in electricity each month, the decision to replace it with a new unit would start to look like a no-brainer.

However, if replacing that old refrigerator is just not in the budget, or, if you are concerned about having your refrigerator run as efficiently and economically as possible, there are some things that you can do to achieve those goals. The very first thing to do is also something that won’t cost you anything but your time to perform – cleaning the coils, which are located either at the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Dust and debris accumulate on the coils and prevents them from cooling properly thus making the refrigerator work harder. Once you’ve located the coils, use a vacuum or a coil brush to remove dust balls, pet hair and any other dirt/debris from the coils. It is probably best to consult the owners’ manual to make sure that you know the suggested best method for cleaning the coils. At this point it probably would also be a good time to empty and clean the defrost drain pan (bottom/under the refrigerator). Next, check the door seals to make sure that they are intact and clean. If they are dirty, they can be cleaned with soapy warm water and a soft rag. Check to see if the seals are actually sealing by closing the door on a dollar bill half way inside the refrigerator and then attempt to slide it out. If you can slide the bill out, you should replace the seals. Make sure that you keep the refrigerator a few inches away from the wall and don’t store things on top of it, as you don’t want to restrict the airflow to the cooling coils. Also, did you know that a full refrigerator and freezer uses less electricity that a partially full unit? The refrigerator should be placed away from heat sources such as an oven or placed in direct sunlight.

If you decide that you are going to replace your old refrigerator, here are a few things to keep in mind to buy an energy efficient model. Purchase an Energy Star model as they normally use 20% less energy than other units. You can (and should) check the yellow EnergyGuide label to compare the model’s energy use with similar models and estimate the annual operating costs. Models with top-mounted freezers generally use 10 to 20 percent less energy than bottom-mount models. Purchase an appropriately sized refrigerator. The most energy-efficient models are typically the 16 to 20 cubic foot size. Skip the icemaker and dispenser as automatic icemakers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14 to 20 percent and can raise the purchase price by $75 to $250. Set the temperature of your new refrigerator to 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit, and, minimize the amount of time the fridge door is open. To get more information on Energy Star refrigerators and other appliances, go to www.energystar.gov .