Did you know that the average fridge freezer uses around 408 kWh per year, based on an A-rated model?
Seeing as it is an appliance that is on 24/7 in your home, you’ll probably be relieved to hear that there are some ways that you can save energy in your home and even further do your bit for the environment using your fridge freezer.
Don’t panic, saving energy and saving the planet doesn’t have to be as hard as many make out. With a few simple changes to your day-to-day routines, you could not only benefit your wallet but also help the planet.
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Saving Energy with Your Fridge Freezer
The above figure on how much energy a fridge freezer uses annually likely came as little to no surprise to you. After all, they’re constantly on. Yet, with advancing technology, fridge freezers are becoming more and more energy-efficient.
That being said, on average, a fridge freezer will still equate to around 20% of all household energy consumption, so it’s worthwhile knowing how to make your appliance work as efficiently as possible.
The Temperature
To make sure that your fridge freezer is running as efficiently as possible, you should keep the temperature at around 3-5 degrees and the freezer at -18 degrees.
These temperatures will make sure that the fridge freezer slows down the growth of bacteria and keeps your food fresh, without using heaps of unnecessary energy.
One thing to keep in mind is to not open the door as often as you need to, as this can release the cool air and force the appliance to have to work harder than it should.
It’s important to remember that when you change the temperature of your fridge freezer, these settings can take around 24 hours to settle. Don’t panic if the temperature doesn’t change straight away!
Hot Food
It’s a common discussion point; should you actually put hot food in the fridge freezer.
Wherever your standpoint may be, there is one thing for sure. If you want to make sure that your fridge freezer is running at its most efficient, don’t put hot or even warm food in the fridge freezer. This will use extra energy to keep the inside cool.
The Right Placement
If there is a number one rule to go by when you’re working out where to place your fridge freezer, it is to avoid putting it next to anything too hot. This includes cookers, tumble dryers, dishwashers and radiators.
Many people nowadays choose to place their fridge freezers away from their kitchens, including in outbuildings, utility rooms and even garages.
Whilst typically this is for space-saving, there is a lot more logic to this, including saving on energy.
Choosing the Perfect Fridge Freezer
For some final tips for saving energy and saving the planet, it comes down to purchasing the right fridge freezer. Remember;
Choose the Right Size
The bigger your fridge freezer is, the more energy it will use.
Clean the Door Seals
Regular maintenance is worth it in the long run, as it will prevent faults from occurring. Faulty doors and seals will waste energy!
Check the Labels
All fridge freezers will come with a European Energy label. It’s a good idea when you’re purchasing a fridge freezer, should you wish to save as much energy as possible, to check this label and understand how much energy the appliance will use.
We hope the above article, written in collaboration with The Appliance Depot, leading providers of clearance fridge freezers, has given you some insight and inspiration into how you can make simple changes to save energy using your fridge freezer. All it takes is changing simple daily habits, to make a big difference.
