As the cost of living crisis weighs on households in terms of both electricity bills and spending, many will be looking to cut costs where they can. One of the ways in which people can reduce their expenses is by using household appliances in a proper and efficient way. Air conditioning and refrigeration experts share their best tips and tricks to save money when it comes to your fridge freezer.
Our refrigerators run 24 hours a day, every day, making them one of the most expensive appliances in our homes. As electricity bills rise, households are looking for clever ways to save money and the first place we recommend they look is their fridge freezers. Here are the fridge and freezer mistakes to avoid:
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1. PLACING THE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER IN A GARAGE OR SHED
Most modern refrigerators and freezers are now equipped with a built-in ambient temperature sensor. Ambient temperature is usually room temperature or the air temperature around the equipment in question, such as a commercial refrigerator or freezer. When using a refrigerator where the temperature is not maintained, the ambient temperature may affect the operation of the refrigerator. If it is placed outdoors, such as under a shed or in a garage in winter, and the temperature drops below four degrees, your freezer may stop working.
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2. REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER OVERFLOW
Households that fill these appliances to the top prevent air from passing through the appliance and some of the contents may remain uncooled. This can lead to food spoilage or food poisoning and can be permanent. For best results, the unit should be well charged, but not too full.
3. YOU ASSUME EXPENSIVE FRIDGES WORK BETTER
People should not always assume that a more expensive fridge freezer is necessarily better than a cheaper one. Price is not an indicator of performance, and you can pay a higher price but get a mediocre refrigerator. If your fridge freezer is underperforming, you could be replacing prematurely spoiled food and paying exorbitant electricity bills.
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What to do instead:
1. MAKE SURE THE LEVELS OF THE REFRIGERATOR STEPS ARE EVEN.
If there is a slope, the coolant in your refrigerator can collect in the pipes, causing the pump to work harder. This will make your fridge less efficient, but a tilted fridge can mean your fridge is using more energy than it needs to be.
2. LEAVE A GAP FOR VENTILATION
The position of the refrigerator can affect how hard it has to work. Make sure it is as far away from heat sources as possible such as ovens and radiators. Also try to keep it out of direct sunlight. Make sure your fridge can breathe. Without proper ventilation, you can damage the refrigerator and cause it to consume more energy. You need at least a quarter of an inch of ventilation space on the sides of the refrigerator, as well as one inch on the back and top.
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3. CHECK REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER DRAINAGE
Over time, debris can build up in your refrigerator’s freezer, eventually blocking the drain. This will cause the water to overflow the chute and run into your refrigerator. If the problem is not addressed, it can become so serious that it destroys your refrigerator and spoils all the food in it. Another way to ensure that fridge freezers are energy efficient is to check that the door seals are working properly. Any damage to the seals around the appliance doors will allow warm air to enter, forcing the fridge or freezer to work harder to maintain the set temperature. Check the gaskets for tears, bends in the corners, or even places where the gaskets have hardened. You can change them yourself. Sometimes this is as easy as pulling out the old ones, but you may need to loosen some screws that hold them in place.
