Conscious Choice: Energy-Efficient Refrigerators Save Money

June 2002 | Sensible Home

Energy-Efficient Refrigerators Save Money

by James Dulley

Dear Jim: We are remodeling our kitchen and we should replace our old refrigerator/freezer. I know newer ones are more efficient. What are the most efficient models and what new convenience features are best? — Ann T.

Dear Ann: Other than space and water heating and cooling, the refrigerator/freezer is the largest electricity consumer in most homes. Replacing a large older one with a new efficient model may save up to $100 annually on your electric bills. This can pay back its cost fairly quickly. Another key advantage of replacing an older model is that the new ones have much better temperature controls and even temperatures throughout the unit. This keeps foods fresher for a longer time for your family’s health.

The first buying decision is the size of refrigerator/freezer to buy. All other things being equal, a larger size uses more electricity than a smaller one. A rule of thumb is a family of two needs ten cubic feet of refrigerator space. Add another one to two cubic feet for each additional family member.

Even the most efficient ones now have attractive exteriors because of material and manufacturing improvements. There are some very attractive antique (1897-style) models with painted curved doors and nickel-plated trim. Others use easy-to-clean, professional-looking stainless steel.

Most refrigerator/freezers use a single compressor with dual controls for the two compartments. Some very efficient models include two separate compressors, one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer, for the best temperature control. Others use one variable-speed compressor for precise control.

Although side-by-side refrigerator/freezers use somewhat more electricity than an over/under style, they offer the most capacity and convenience. Some models have a unique staggered shape with the refrigerator portion wider at the top and the freezer section wider at the bottom.

Another new feature is a special drawer with its own temperature controls. It is designed to either freeze foods quickly or to thaw them in half the normal time, depending on the mode you select. Other models have super-quick icemaker compartments to make ice cubes in one hour or less.

For convenience, one efficient model is circular. The glass shelves inside rotate similarly to a lazy Susan, so it is easy to access any food items. Other models are designed to run on twelve volts and can be powered by batteries, windmills, or solar panels. Another built-in model has a remote compressor that can be located up to fifteen feet away from the unit.

Some other convenience features to consider are crank-up elevator-type or folding shelves, built-in water filters and multilevel interior lighting.

Write for (or instantly download) Update Bulletin No. 437, buyer’s guide of the thirteen most efficient, full-featured refrigerator/freezers listing styles, sizes, colors, features, and tips for selection and efficient operation. Please include $3.00 and a business-sized SASE. James Dulley, Conscious Choice, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.

Dear Jim: I just moved into an existing house and the dryer vent from the laundry ends in the basement, not outdoors. The lint is getting to be a messy problem. What can I do to take care of this problem? — Sheila H.

Dear Sheila: This is really not an uncommon problem in homes, but it can be a very dangerous one. Dryer lint ignites very easily and each year many house fires result from lint buildup from clothes dryers. If there is a multipane window in the basement, remove one of the panes and replace it with a sheet of aluminum. Cut a hole in it and run the dryer vent through it. Make sure to install a tight-sealing vent cover.

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