Getting more money out of your refrigerator and freezer

Getting more money out of your refrigerator and freezer

When it comes to introducing energy efficient solutions into the home, some of the most beneficial will include updating your refrigerators and freezers, as well as taking a few steps to ensure these appliances are operating at their most efficient level.
According to the Wisconsin Energy Group, choosing the right refrigerator/freezer combo can significantly lower energy costs. To start, choose an Energy Star model. This is as simple as searching for the easily identifiable Energy Star symbol. It's also important to choose the right size refrigerator. Buying a product larger than necessary can result in serious energy waste.
Using a second refrigerator or freezer is also a major detriment on energy costs. A second appliance can raise energy bills by as much as $120 per year. If you need two refrigerators to accommodate a large number of guests, such as around the holidays, only plug it in during these times.
The Department of Energy states that it is also important to replace your refrigerator if it is more than 10 years old. These models consume much more energy than current products. An Energy Star refrigerator uses roughly half of the energy as a comparable model made a decade ago.