Photo: Energy Star

You probably don’t know that your fridge and freezer are responsible for a large proportion of your energy usage. Fridges and freezers consume one-sixth of the energy used in your home, which is bad news for your power bill, and for the environment. There are a few things you can do to reduce the energy your fridge uses, from organising food to setting the correct temperature. Here are some tips for energy efficient cooling.

Invest in an Energy Star

Fridges sold in 2001 and before may have an energy usage 40 per cent higher than fridges with an Energy Star label. Look for a fridge with a rating of A or higher to be sure that you’ll be saving a significant amount of power. Energy Star appliances have an energy label that will tell you how much energy is needed to run the appliance. Obviously, the lower the number, the better.

Too cool isn’t cool

Many fridge and freezer temperatures are lower than they need to be, increasing energy usage. The ideal temperature for a fridge is 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and 3 degrees Fahrenheit for a freezer. Temperatures lower than these are unnecessary.

Seal it up

Photo: ShareGraphic

Making sure that your fridge’s seals are tight will also keep energy usage down. To test whether your seals are working the way they should, close the fridge door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to replace your seal.

Get organised

The longer your fridge door is open, the more energy will be used to keep your fridge at the right temperature. Organise the food in your fridge so that you know where everything is, and try labelling food in the freezer so it’s easy to find.

Following these easy tips will make a big difference to the amount of energy you use. But if your fridge is an older model, investing in a new one is key to cutting energy costs and reducing carbon emissions.

Tags: energy conservation, energy star, energy usage, Green initiative