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Refrigerator Energy Saving Tips

April 14, 2022

Your refrigerator consumes a large proportion of your home’s energy. With the current focus on lowering living costs, it makes sense to think about how you can get the most from this appliance.

If you didn’t consider energy efficiency when you bought your refrigerator, be sure to read on to find out how to make the most of your current one. The model of fridge can make a big difference here – that luxurious French door that’s so popular on home design shows is the least energy-efficient, so it might be a good idea to do your homework before you buy.

But assuming you already own a fridge, there are things you can do to keep it running more efficiently.

Young Woman Looking Inside Refrigerator - Darwin , NT

1. Create Space Around Your Fridge

Check that your fridge has enough room around it to circulate air. Remove any items that you have added on top or the sides of your fridge, such as cookbooks or storing other items. This will improve the cooling function that allows air to escape from the fridge, meaning it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool.

2. Don’t Forget The Coils

The coils of your fridge, located behind or underneath it, collect dust and this stops them dispersing heat quickly. Give these a good brush with a soft broom or cloth to remove dust and lint build-up. Be careful not to be too vigorous, you just need to remove any dust not to dislodge them from your unit.

3. Check Seals

This is an easy job to do to make a difference to the cooling of your fridge. Clean the seals around the doors with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Check for any damage to the rubber seals, as they could be leaking cool air.

4. Don’t Overstuff Your Fridge

The cool air inside your fridge needs to be able to circulate. Check for any items that have expired or don’t require refrigeration. Often families use the fridge to store anything that’s opened, and certain items don’t need to be kept in the fridge. Freeing up some room could help the air circulate more easily meaning the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to stay cool.

5. Defrost From Freezer To Fridge

Any items you want to defrost, use your fridge for these. You already know that defrosting in the fridge is better for preventing food poisoning, but it also saves energy by keeping the air inside the fridge cooler.

6. Turn Down The Thermostat

This is another easy win. Many people don’t even look at the thermostat setting, and this may have crept up over time. Turning this down a few degrees will mean the fridge needs less power, which is a quick win for you.

Quickly completing the jobs above should take less than thirty minutes, but it will easily save you money on energy costs. Make sure you check these again in six months to keep your refrigerator running at its best.

Need repairs for your refrigerator? Call Pro Cool NT, we're available 24/7 on 0417 309 592.