Green Is In
Everybody‘s looking for ways to cut back on costs; to save energy; and consequently, a few pennies or dimes as the case may be. You hear the term “energy-efficient” everywhere. The order of the day seems to take the form of ‘down-sizing’, ‘reducing’, ‘lower’, ‘cost-efficient’ and all other synonymous terms. Add ‘Mother Nature’, ‘environment-friendly’, ‘green’. You know what it will add up to? Energy efficient refrigerators, that’s what.
Though there’s no single, universally-accepted definition of what constitutes energy efficiency in refrigerators, we may say that Energy Efficient Refrigerators are those that consume less energy to operate. The two areas by which this efficiency is gauged are the compressor technology and insulation and by these, some refrigerators do receive recognition for being relatively energy-efficient. I’m sure that you would argue that – and may even have a point – what do you know about compressors and insulations? Very valid arguments but here are some factors that determine the amount of energy the refrigerators consume. In your layman’s eye, give it some thought, then perhaps you can come up with your own guesstimate.
Size. Oh yes, size does matter with refrigerators. The larger your fridge is, the more power it consumes, the higher your electricity bill will be.
Configuration. Is your refrigerator top mounted? Bottom freezer? Top freezer and bottom freezer models score higher than side-by-side models (French door model). Studies showed that top mounted freezer models take 10 -25% less energy than the bottom freezer and side-by-side models.
Location. Check the location and position of your refrigerator. Is it anywhere near heat sources? When looking for a location to place your refrigerator, choose one that is a bit farther from heat sources, like the stove or rice cooker.
Additional Features. Does your refrigerator come with automatic defrost system, anti sweat heaters and ice makers? Refrigerators with automatic defrost feature use more energy than manual defrost models. Sure those added features are convenient and useful, but you should be aware that these features consume more energy, and eventually cost you more money.
So the next time you buy a new refrigerator, keep those factors in mind and while you’re at it, you may want to check these additional tips for choosing energy-efficient refrigerators:
Do a quick comparison test. Compare machines and look for energy star rated models. Study the yellow sticker consumption guide and opt for the one that consumes less energy.
Separated is good. Choose a model with a separate door to the chiller, so that when you open the main compartment, less air will escape (the same principle works when it’s the chiller door you want to open). This will prevent your refrigerator from losing too much cool air and consequently working twice as hard to keep its cool.
Extra energy Saving function. Select a model with energy saving function such as holiday system or alarm system. You can set it at its lowest settings when you go on a holiday. The alarm system is for when you unintentionally leave the refrigerator door open.
Light Switch. Pick one that does NOT automatically turns the light on when you open the door. That way you can switch it off during the day when you don’t have any need for additional brightness.
Finally, even refrigerators need some TLC, so check yours from time to time to make sure that everything is working properly or that it’s free from any damage caused by human carelessness or even from the natural wear and tear of objects. Refrigerators with unresolved maintenance issues consume more energy.
Ready to buy your next model? Make sure it’s Energy Efficient Refrigerator.