5 Ways to Cut Refrigerator Energy Costs

If you are looking for ways to lower your electricity bill, you have probably tried things like turning your lights off every time you leave the room or unplugging your electronics when they aren't in use. What you may not have considered is looking at your refrigerator.

Your refrigerator is the only appliance in your house that runs 24/7 and can use a lot of electricity if you aren't careful. Use the following five tips to help reduce the amount of energy that your refrigerator uses.

Clean the condenser coils.

When was the last time (if ever) that you cleaned your refrigerator's condenser coils? These winding tubes are located on the back of your refrigerator and are responsible for cooling the refrigerant as it passes through. In order to effectively do this, they need to release heat, which is hard to do if they are coated in a layer of dust. Clean these twice a year using your vacuum with a brush attachment to lower your energy bills and extend your refrigerator's lifespan.

Keep your refrigerator full.

If you want to reduce how much energy your refrigerator uses, keep it well-stocked with food. The more food that you have in your refrigerator, the better it holds its temperature when you open the door, and in turn uses less energy to maintain a consistent temperature. Don't over-stuff it though, as it will hinder air circulation and lead to warm spots.

Minimize how many times you open the door.

Every time you open the refrigerator door, cold air escapes and the compressor must work harder to bring the internal temperature back down to your desired setting. When you are preparing a meal, grab everything you need from inside the refrigerator in one trip, and avoid opening the door for long periods of time while searching for something to eat.

Allow for proper ventilation.

Refrigerators don't actually work by producing cold, but rather by removing heat from the inside. This heat needs a place to go, and it gets released through vents, which is why the back of your refrigerator always feels warm. Give at least two inches of separation between the back of your refrigerator and the wall to provide adequate room for ventilation.

Inspect the gasket.

The gasket is the rubber seal located on the perimeter of your refrigerator door. If you couldn't guess, the gasket is responsible for keeping the cold air in, so if there is a leak you could see a spike in your energy bill. To see if your gasket is sealing tightly, shut your refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can easily remove the dollar or slide it up and down, you should replace your gasket immediately.

A broken or malfunctioning refrigerator can quickly rack up your electricity bill if you don't get it fixed. If your fridge is causing issues, call Speedy Subzero at 1-866-782-9376. For more than 75 years, we have provided in-home refrigerator repairs to residents of Long Island and New York City. Same-day appointments are available and our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us today!