This is a collaborative guest post.
Your Fridge’s Electricity Consumption
Refrigerators are one of the largest energy consumers among all our household appliances. Unlike other household appliances such as air conditioners or washing machines, you can’t turn off your fridge nor can you refrain from using it. How then should you go about saving energy and reducing the amount of money you spend on powering your fridge? This article will provide you with everything you need to know about finding out how much energy your fridge uses as well as tips on how to lower your household energy consumption. Find out more about how your electricity bill singapore is calculated.
Choose A Fridge That’s Energy Efficient
With the rapid advancement of technology in today’s day and age, finding a fridge that’s energy-efficient isn’t hard. In fact, energy-efficient fridges are the norm. Now, most manufacturers produce models that use less than 75 percent of the energy that was previously needed to power fridges in the past.
Fridges are built to last. A 10-year old model may work just as well as one that’s recently bought. However, the biggest difference comes in the amount of energy consumed by both fridges. Older models are much more inefficient and consume a greater amount of electricity as compared to those that are manufactured in recent years. The date of when your fridge was manufactured will provide you with a hint as to how much energy it consumes and how much you’re paying in electricity bills.
If you know how much you’re paying for electricity and your fridge’s size and manufacturing year, try using ENERGY STAR’s Flip Your Fridge calculator to see how much energy and money you can save by changing your current fridge to one of their newer models.
How Much Energy Does My Refrigerator Consume?
Usually, a fridge of around 22 cubic feet made in the late 1980s consumes about 1150 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity every year. This means your 30-year old fridge will cost you $0.47 a day assuming your electricity is $0.15 per kWh. This adds up to almost $172 a year.
On the other hand, a newly built fridge with a five-star energy rating can run on as little as 282kWh a year. By replacing your fridge with a new ENERGY STAR model, you can save up to $130 per year by paying only $42 for your fridge’s energy bills.
How Do I Know How Much I’m Paying For My Fridge’s Energy Consumption Every Year?
The yellow and black Energy Guide label that came with your fridge will provide you with everything you need to know about your fridge’s energy consumption. It will also help you in calculating how much money you’re spending on electricity bills for your fridge. Manufacturers are required to include labels on all their appliances as part of the Energy Guide program that was started in 1980. Its purpose was to provide customers with information regarding the energy consumption of electrical appliances in order for them to make an informed purchase.
If you have misplaced your fridge’s Energy Guide label, don’t panic. Find out your fridge’s model and simply go online to look up its Energy Guide information. Most manufacturers post the information on their websites or you can also call their customer service hotline.
Some of the most important pieces of information provided in the Energy Guide label include the average amount of energy your fridge consumes per year as well as your fridge’s annual electricity costs. Do note that manufacturers calculate your fridge’s yearly electricity cost by averaging your country’s energy rate. Hence, a more accurate way for you to calculate the actual amount you’re spending on your fridge’s electricity bills annually is by multiplying your fridge’s energy consumption taken from the Energy Guide label and the exact cost of your electricity per kWh.
Tips On How To Save Energy With Your Fridge
Not everyone wants to spend money on a brand new fridge. After all, a new five-star energy rated fridge can cost as much as $1000, depending on its brand and capacity. If you choose to stick with your current fridge but also want to reduce your fridge’s energy costs, try following some of these simple steps:
- Don’t set your refrigerator’s temperature too low. Your refrigerator consumes a lot of energy if it’s set at a temperature that’s lower than necessary. Try setting the fridge at 4°C and -18°C for the freezer.
- Don’t open the fridge door for long periods of time. Your fridge will end up consuming more energy trying to cool down as cold air escapes when you keep the door open. Try to think of what you want before opening the fridge.
- Pick a good place to put your fridge. You can reduce your fridge’s energy consumption by placing it in a spot where heat can dissipate easily. Pick a cool corner that’s away from windows, cooker hobs, and the oven.
- Don’t put hot food into your fridge. Though hot food should be kept in the fridge to prevent contamination, this doesn’t mean you need to refrigerate it immediately. Wait for the food to cool down before placing it into the fridge. This way, your fridge won’t use too much energy and its compressor doesn’t run the risk of overheating.
- Clean your fridge. Another way to reduce the electrical consumption of your fridge is by making sure that it’s clean. Making sure that your fridge’s kickplate and coils are dust-free play a part in saving energy.
- Ensure that your fridge is airtight. Your fridge may consume more energy than necessary if there are gaps between the rubber seals around the doors. Make sure that there are no gaps that might allow cold air to escape.
Conclusion
Running a fridge is an inescapable cost for most of us. But, now that you know a little more about how much electricity your fridge uses, it’s time for you to take the necessary steps to reduce the amount of money you’re paying for your fridge’s energy use. Whether you choose to buy a new energy-efficient fridge or keep your old one, whatever you to reduce your household’s energy consumption benefits not only your wallet but also the environment.
