Retiring a refrigerator can have a quick payback

Your Path to Energy Savings
By Shawn Lindabury and Sharon Anderson, Special to The Ithaca Journal
November 1, 2010

Your refrigerator is the only appliance in your home that works continuously- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's the largest energy user in your kitchen and accounts for up to 10 percent of your power bill.  There are a few easy ways to reduce this cost. Your refrigerator works most efficiently if it's well ventilated and free of dust and dirt.  Leave open space around both sides and the top of your refrigerator and clean the condenser coils underneath once a year. Check that the door gasket seals are clean and seal completely.  Keeping the refrigerator full of food and reducing the time the door is open will allow the compressor to run less often.

While these no-cost actions save a little energy, the best way to save on refrigerators is to retire your older unit and replace it with a new Energy Star model.  In the past few decades refrigerators have become significantly more efficient.  A 2009 Energy Star refrigerator uses just $48 per year in electricity while a 1970s model uses $259, a 1980s model $163, and a 1990s model $97.  In the past 10 years alone refrigerators have become 50% more efficient!  Use Energy Star's refrigerator retirement savings calculator to see how much you can save.

When purchasing a new refrigerator always look for the Energy Star label.  Paying a little more up front for the most efficient model you can afford will save you money in the long run.  Pick the smallest size refrigerator that meets your needs and avoid the icemaker and dispenser, which use 20 percent more energy than regular models.  Recycle your old refrigerator instead of putting it in your basement.  Running an inefficient extra refrigerator to keep that 6 pack cold could be costing you hundreds of dollars per year!

Last Updated: May 25, 2011