As one of the most important electrical appliances in your home, refrigerators account for roughly 14% of your home’s total energy usage. Because of this, and the fact that they operate continuously, it’s critical that your refrigerator is running efficiently. Energy conservation is easy on the environment and your wallet!
Energy conservation is especially important to us here at Douthit Electrical. Our Charlotte electrical services are designed to keep your home powered safely and efficiently. Our friendly and experienced electricians can help you save money by showing you how to use less electricity in Charlotte with simple energy conservation tips!
Here are eight easy ways to improve refrigerator efficiency in Charlotte!
Open the door less
Every time the door opens warm air flows into the refrigerator and makes it harder for the appliance to stay at a consistently cold temperature.
Pack it right and tight
It’s harder for a refrigerator to keep empty space cold, so keep yours packed tightly with food and drinks. If you don’t like to keep your refrigerator full, use gallon jugs of water to fill the space.
Put the ice maker on ice
An ice maker can not only increase a refrigerator’s purchase price by as much as $250 but it can also increase its energy usage by 14% to 20%! Instead, make ice the old fashioned way.
Location is key
Your refrigerator should always be placed in a cool location and away from heat generating appliances such as microwaves, ovens, and stoves.
The right temperature
Refrigerators should be kept at a temperature between 33 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder than this is a waste of electricity that can freeze your food. The same applies for a higher temperature, except food will spoil and not freeze.
Clean those coils
Grime and dust can build up on refrigerator coils, acting as a heat insulation that causes your refrigerator to use more electricity than needed. Use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to keep coils clean.
Wait for hot food to cool down
Putting hot food in your refrigerator forces it to work hard — and use more electricity — to cool the food down and maintain its temperature. Allow food to cool before putting it in the refrigerator.
Use aluminum foil or plastic wrap
How you put your food away is just as important as when you put it away. After food cools down properly, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before putting it in the refrigerator so that it doesn’t have to work harder than necessary to cool an uneven surface.
At Douthit Electrical, nothing makes us happier than saving the environment and saving our customers money, and improving refrigerator efficiency is great place to start. Maybe it’s time to upgrade? An Energy Star certified refrigerator can be up to 9% to 10% more efficient! Whether you need a new energy efficient refrigerator installed or an electrical remodel, Douthit Electrical has you covered!
Written by: admin+