Energy-guzzling refrigerator: How to reduce power consumption immediately
Created: 06/07/2022, 04:55
By: Omer Kayali
Did you know that the refrigerator is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the home?
You can keep consumption under control with a few tricks.
Fridges are always in use.
For this reason, the devices are among the biggest power guzzlers in your household.
According to chip.de, they are even responsible for almost 20 percent of power consumption.
But that can hardly be changed - or can it?
In fact, you can at least limit the power consumption a little if you keep a few things in mind.
Older refrigerators use more electricity
Is your refrigerator now ten years old or more?
Upgrading to a newer model can
reduce energy consumption by up to 40 percent
.
Although the purchase is quite expensive, the more efficient power consumption saves you a lot of money in the long run.
The freezer compartment should be at the top
While this is the case with many devices, most people probably do not choose these models for reasons of energy efficiency.
Because
refrigerators with a freezer compartment on top use ten to 25 percent
less energy
than models with them on the bottom.
With the latter, additional fans are required, which transport the cold air upwards.
Instead, modern refrigerators use the natural effect of the cold air, which due to its higher density sinks downwards and thus cools the lower area.
There it gets warmer and rises again - a cycle is created that cools the entire refrigerator.
Are the seals really tight?
The seals on the refrigerator door
ensure that the cold air stays trapped inside.
However, over time they can weaken, allowing the cold air to escape.
To check your refrigerator's seals
: Close the refrigerator door and place a piece of paper or a bill between the seal and the door.
If you feel resistance when pulling out the bill, the seal is good.
However, if it pulls out easily, your refrigerator's gasket may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Alternatively, in the evening - or when your kitchen is darkened - you can put a flashlight in the fridge and close the fridge door.
If the light can be seen, the seal is no longer tight.
Don't set the fridge too cold
If the
temperature in your fridge is set too low
, it will use more electricity to maintain the low temperature.
In addition, frost can form, which affects the efficiency of the device.
According to the German Energy Agency (via
Chip
), a
temperature of seven degrees is recommended
, but many people set it to between zero and five degrees.
Just two degrees colder would increase electricity consumption by around ten percent.
If a layer of ice has already formed on the inside walls, you should defrost the refrigerator.
You forget these spots all the time when cleaning
View photo gallery
Do not position your refrigerator near a heat source
The location of your refrigerator can be another factor affecting energy consumption.
For example, if it is in the sun every day or is right next to the stove or oven, the refrigerator has to work harder.
Therefore, place the device in a corner that is as cool and shady as possible.
In addition to the refrigerator, heating the water in the home also eats up a lot of energy.
With the right tricks, you can already reduce gas consumption by taking a proper shower.
(ok)
