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TIME TO
RETIRE
If your refrigerator is 30+ it may be costing
you a fortune.
Kitchen appliances account for more than 25% of
house hold electricity useRefrigerators are the
most power hungry appliance in a kitchen -
accounting for nearly two thirds of kitchen
energy. Deciding to retire your old energy hog
can cut your utility cost.
Refrigerators have improved dramatically in the
last 30 years. Today, models use about a third
of the amount of power as they did in the past.
Upgrading to a high-efficiency models may cost a
little extra, but will make up the difference in
energy savings over their lifetime.
“SHOPPING” What to look
for:
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Look for the blue "Energy Star" sticker.
Energy Star qualified models are at least 15%
more efficient than the federal minimum.
Appliances with this logo are significantly more
energy-efficient than the average comparable
model.
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Freezers on top or bottom use less energy
than a side-by-side models.
-
Manual defrost models are more efficient
- they use half the energy of an automatic
defrost.
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Avoid automatic ice makers- they add to
the energy consumption.
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Avoid through-the-door ice and water
dispensers – they increase electricity
consumption.
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Some new refrigerators have handy,
filtered dispensers inside the door!
MAINTAIN YOUR ENERGY
SAVING
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If possible, install your unit away from
any heat source such as an oven, dishwasher,
heat vents or in direct sunlight. “Don’t make
your refrigerator work harder than it needs to.”
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Keeping the condenser coils clean can
improve your energy efficiency. Leaving a little
space between the refrigerator and its
surroundings will allow air to circulate around
the coils.
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If your refrigerator has an energy-saver
switch, it should be on during the summer and
off during the winter.
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Keep the temperature set between 37 and
40 degrees F in the refrigerator and the freezer
compartment at zero to 5 degrees F. For maximum
operating efficiency, don't allow frost to build
up in the freezer compartment.
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A freezer packed with food is always
best, however, stuffing refrigerator shelves and
baskets can block air circulation around food.
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Allow food to cool off before placing it
in the refrigerator. Preventing other products
form spoiling and maintaining the temperature
inside.
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Think about all the things you would need
out of the refrigerator before you open the
door. Minimize the amount of time the
refrigerator door is open can save energy.
Note: Check out “SUNFROST”. A highly
insulated - miserly electrical demanding
refrigerator.
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