Optimizing Your Refrigerator

Going green doesn’t just apply to recycling and carpooling. You can implement small measures around the home that can help decrease your energy bill. Keeping your appliances running in top condition will reduce or eliminate entirely the need for repair or replacement. Start in a room like the kitchen by optimizing your fridge to run at maximum efficiency. Here are five tips to help you get started.

1. Stay current on your fridge’s maintenance. Make sure necessary parts like air filters are kept clean and free of obstruction so that air can circulate freely. Also make sure door seals are impermeable. Test them by placing a piece of paper between the door and fridge. If you can easily pull the paper free when the door is closed, it is likely time to have the seals looked at by a professional.

2. Keep your fridge clean. This will make it easier for you to find food items, reducing the amount of time you have the fridge door open. It will also eliminate the need to make fridge cleaning a time-consuming task. A fridge that isn’t overstuffed will also allow air to flow around food items, increasing cooling efficiency. Keep liquids covered, whether they are drinks or soups. Part of the compressor’s job is to remove humidity from inside the fridge, which it will continually do in the presence of uncovered liquids.

3. Defrost items in the fridge, rather than on the counter or in the sink. The food item will release cold as it thaws, reducing the level at which the compressor has to operate. You also won’t have to operate the microwave in order to thaw food items, which will only add to your energy costs.

4. Check the fridge’s temperature. A good range is between 35 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature will allow your fridge to keep items cool and slow the growth of bacteria without making things so cold that items freeze.

5. Let hot foods cool down before you put them in the fridge. A heated item will force the fridge to run harder in order to keep everything fresh and cool. You can use the ‘cooling time’ as a chance to chat with family or guests, knowing food items are okay sitting on the counter.

Small steps can make a big difference in your energy bill. Start making your home a little more green by following these tips, as well as employing other sustainable efforts in your home to save money and the planet.