How to Reduce Your Refrigerator's Energy Consumption: Do's and Don'ts

With the weather warming up, a big concern of homeowners across the country is their electricity bill. If you are looking to keep yours down during the warm summer months, you don't have to sacrifice your family's comfort; instead, the answer could lie in your kitchen.

The refrigerator is the only appliance in your home that runs 24/7, making it one of your primary energy consumers. We often don't give refrigerators the attention they deserve, but using the tips below could result in a significant savings on your monthly utility bill.

Do these three things to save money on your monthly electricity bill:

• Vacuum your condenser coils every six months. Keeping these coils clean will allow them to efficiently release heat and keep the inside of your fridge nice and cold.
• Regularly inspect your gasket for cracks. Your gasket (also known as the rubber door seal) is responsible for keeping warm air out; if it is cracked or damaged your electricity bill could skyrocket.
• Keep your fridge well-stocked. Keeping your refrigerator stocked with food will help it retain its temperature when the door is opened. Beware of over-stuffing though, which could restrict air flow and lead to warm spots.

DON'T do these three things to save money on your monthly electricity bill:

• DON'T place your refrigerator near heat-generating appliances. Keep your refrigerator away from your stove and out of direct sunlight if possible – exposure to either of these things can cause it to warm up.
• DON'T keep your refrigerator door open for long periods of time. Every time you open the fridge, cold air escapes. Save energy by minimizing how many times you open your refrigerator door and how long you keep it open for.
• DON'T put hot food in the fridge. Let your freshly-cooked food cool down before putting it in the fridge, otherwise it will warm up the interior and make your refrigerator work harder to keep cold.

A broken refrigerator can also consume much more energy than one which is operating properly. If you suspect your refrigerator is malfunctioning, Speedy Subzero can repair it for a fraction of the cost of a new model. We serve Long Island, New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey, and same-day service is available – call us any time at 866-782-9376 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

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!