Refrigerators take up a big chunk of energy in homes. And it can be tempting to think that there’s nothing you can do about the electricity costs of your fridge.
But if you have an old refrigerator, you could be wasting a lot of money by not buying a new one. If you have an old fridge that needs removing, consider calling a junk removal service to haul it out of your home.
Read on to find out the best ways to save energy for your refrigerator and exactly how much electricity an old fridge uses.
What Are The Best Ways to Save Energy From My Fridge?
By far the best way to save money from an old fridge is to get rid of the old one and buy a new one. However, if you want to stick with your old fridge, there are some energy-saving hacks you can do to help save some extra money.
Keep Your Fridge Clean
When you clean your fridge, your fridge is able to cool food easier, is more efficient, and uses less energy as a result. You should aim to clean your fridge every three months— cleaning the coils on the back of the fridge and dusting underneath can go a long way to save energy.
Make Sure Your Fridge Is Not Too Cold
Ideal temperatures for a refrigerator is 37 degrees Celsius for the fridge and 0 degrees for the freezer. Going over this can waste energy, as you’ll be making food colder than necessary.
Make Sure Your Food is Cool
Before putting food inside the fridge, you’ll want to make sure hot food has enough time to cool off. Since it takes a lot of energy to cool hot food, you’ll save your compressor from overworking itself.
Keep the Doors Closed
This is the most obvious way to reduce your energy consumption, however it’s important to remain consistent in closing it. When you leave the fridge open, cold air escapes and it takes a lot of energy to bring it back to optimal temperatures. Make sure there are no gaps for the cold air to escape when the door is closed, either.
How Much Electricity Does an Old Fridge Use?
Old fridges are much more different than modern fridges. Fridges built in the older days were made with outdated technology, and as a result are less efficient. For example, a fridge built in the 1970s can cost more than $200 per year in energy consumption compared to a newer refrigerator.
Even a 20-year old fridge can use 1,700 kWh of electricity per year, compared to a modern fridge that uses only 450 kWh. So even though old fridges may continue to function after 10 to 20 years or longer, it may be worth getting rid of it for a newer model to save energy and money in the long run.
You can use an online calculator to figure out the money you can save by switching to a new fridge.
Need to Get Rid of Your Old Fridge?
Then the best way is to call a professional junk removal company. Old fridges can consume too much of your energy and money, and hauling them isn’t easy. If you suspect your fridge is too old and taking up too much energy (and money), it’s best to get rid of it. Consider letting an expert remove your fridge and schedule a pickup today.