In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance. Replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified model would save enough energy to light the average household for nearly four months.
Keep these tips in mind when purchasing a new refrigerator:
- Look for an ENERGY STAR model.
- Purchase an appropriate-sized refrigerator for your needs. The larger the refrigerator model, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient refrigerator models are typically 16-20 cubic feet.
- Consider buying a refrigerator model with a top freezer. Top freezer models use 10-25% less energy than side-by-side models.
- ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use high efficiency compressors, improved insulation, and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms to improve energy efficiency.
- ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use at least 15% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.
You may also be interested to know that you can reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator or freezer uses, whether with a standard or an ENERGY STAR qualified model:
- Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
- To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer and keep the coils clean.
- Make sure the door seals are airtight.
- Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open.
- Recycle older or second refrigerators.
The following businesses recycle refrigerators:
Alexandria -
Jack’s Family Recycling (320) 762-5040
Alex Rubbish (320) 763-4712
Morris -
Engebretson & Sons Recycling (320) 589-3804
Browerville -
Todd County Solid Waste (218) 594-2110
Glenwood -
Tom Kraemer Recycling (320) 634-5668
(some retailers recycle refrigerators as well)
Why recycle your old refrigerator?
If your refrigerator is at least 10 years old,
it uses as much electricity as two
Energy Star® labeled refrigerators!
