Fridges & Freezers
Submitted by ArcticFox on Wed, 24/10/2007 - 21:45.
It will cost you around twice as much to run a fridge or freezer during its lifetime as you paid for it in the first place, so it is worth investing in an efficient model. Look for the energy label, which is now compulsory. You can save over £30 a year in electricity bills by choosing the right model. But beware – spending more does not necessarily mean the machine will be more efficient. And some A grade appliances can still consume a whacking amount of electricity, so read the label carefully. This is because the rating is given on the basis of energy used per unit of capacity, not overall usage – buy only the size of appliance you actually need.
Look for a hydrocarbon based coolant.
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Position freezers in a cool place, out of sunlight, away from heater and boilers
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Buy an A rated appliance or better
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Keep the door shut as much as possible
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Keep the fridge/freezer reasonably full – put bottles of water (or better still, beer) in to keep it full if necessary
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Buy a chest freezer rather than upright, if you have the option (more efficient)
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Check whether defrosting is required regularly – if it is your door seals may be faulty
- Set your fridge to around 5oC
See our section on recycling fridges and freezers. Make sure your old appliance is disposed of safely.
Gooshing provide information on a wide range of products, including ethical information on manufacturers.
The Energy Saving Trust provide information on products and retailers.
Use our calculator when deciding which appliance to buy.
