Sometimes, we forget just how much our appliances do for us and how much energy they use to help us run our households. The truth of the matter is that we don’t really want to think about it. There are several reasons as to why this is the case, but none of them are very positive. At the end of the day, we just trust our appliances to keep working forever.
How Much Energy Does My Fridge Consume?
We dream of appliances that can take care of themselves, and that do that without using up too much energy. Reducing energy consumption in appliances is something we should keep in mind with everything in our home. Refrigerators are just about at the top of the list for inherent energy hogs. While new models strive to be more energy efficient, your fridge is still going to use a lot from one day to the next. Keep in mind that your fridge is always on. How much energy do you think that uses up over a 24-hour period?
Reducing Fridge Energy Consumption Isn’t Hard!
While you may not want to think about how much energy your fridge is really using, this is still something that needs to be taken seriously. In the first place, there is an excellent chance that you are paying too much on your monthly utility bills. There are several culprits behind high energy costs, and your fridge is going to be pretty high on that list, as well. For example, if you aren’t the kind of person who has a lot of food in their fridge, this could be a reason why your fridge is working harder than it needs to. When your fridge works harder than is necessary, energy consumption goes up.
In the second place, high energy consumption is particularly problematic in the era of climate change, and the need for everyone on earth to do what they can to stem the tide. Making sure your fridge is energy efficient isn’t going to change the world, but reducing your carbon footprint to one degree or another is something that will always be a good idea. Without question, making your fridge work smarter, rather than harder, is an excellent way to contribute to this notion.
You don’t have to spend any money to make your fridge work better. You don’t even have to contribute a significant amount of time. We have several easy tips to reduce the energy consumption of your fridge.
Here Are Some Easy Suggestions From Our Experts at Express Appliance Repair Ottawa:
- Replace your door’s rubber seal. This is the part of your refrigerator that ensures the door is sealed properly when it’s cold. If the seal if broken anywhere, or if it feels damp in the least, then it is likely that it needs to be replaced.
- Keep the fridge away from high heat sources. While this can be difficult in small kitchens, sticking your fridge right next to your stove or oven will certainly make it work harder than it needs to.
- Condenser coils should be cleaned on a regular basis. These are the coils that you can find along the back of the fridge. When they become riddled with dust and other undesirables, they can cease to work as well as they should. This can cause your fridge to have to work harder, as well.
- Let your leftovers cool down a little bit. Give the food a little more time to cool off, before you move it over to the refrigerator. Even small steps can reduce the amount of heat your fridge has to deal with.
- Manually defrost your freezer as needed. If you find your fridge to be producing way more ice than is normal, then this could be the sign of something more serious. Nonetheless, you should make an effort to have your freezer manually defrosted every few months or so.
Another good reason to take care of this major appliance? The harder it has to work, the more likely it is that it will eventually break down. While all appliances eventually need to be repaired and replaced, forcing your fridge to consume more energy than it needs can lead to a shorter lifespan.