Fridges and freezers can account for 7% of an average South Australian household's energy bill and produce large amounts of greenhouse gas.
Maintaining your fridge and freezer, using it efficiently, and where possible purchasing an energy efficient model will help to keep your energy costs down. |  |
On this page:
Maintaining your fridge and freezer
Buying an energy efficient fridge and freezer
Using your fridge and freezer efficiently
Running costs of a fridge and freezer
Recycling old fridges and freezers
Maintaining your fridge and freezer
Keep your fridge and freezer operating at maximum efficiency in five easy steps :
Step 1: Locate the fridge and freezer in a well ventilated space away from heat sources
Locate fridges and freezers in a cool, well ventilated space away from sources of heat such as an oven or direct sun. An external blind can be used to keep the sun off the fridge if it cannot be moved.
Leave plenty of space between the sides, top and back of the fridge to allow for good air circulation. The back of the fridge should not touch the wall. Refer to the operating manual's recommended ventilation spaces.
Step 2: Check fridge and freezer temperatures
Check the inside temperatures of your fridge and freezer. Fridges should be between 3°C and 5°C and freezers between -15°C and -18°C.
Fridges and freezers running colder than these temperatures are using excess energy.
Step 3: Regularly clean condenser coils
The coils at the back of a fridge or freezer are used to discharge heat. A build up of dust can act as an insulator and force the appliance to work harder.
Clean any visible coils gently with a vacuum cleaner or soft cloth.
Step 4: Check door seals
Fridges and freezers need an airtight seal to keep heat out. Mildew can form around the seals causing them to become brittle and break.
Periodically clean the seals gently to remove mildew. Replace seals if they are cracked or warped.
A seal in good condition should be able to hold any bank note when the door is closed on it. If the seal cannot hold the note, it may need to be replaced.
Step 5: Defrost your freezer
Frost can build up inside a freezer over time and reduce the efficiency of the appliance.
Frost is caused by warm air entering the freezer when the freezer door is opened. The moisture in the warm air is deposited onto the cold surfaces inside and freezes.
If you do not have an automatic defrost option on your freezer you need to keep a regular eye out for frost build up. When the frost reaches a thickness of about 5 mm it should be removed. See the manufacturer's instructions for defrosting your freezer.
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Buying an energy efficient fridge and freezer
Choose the right size fridge and freezer to suit your household needs. A larger fridge and freezer will still use more energy than a small fridge and freezer with the same star rating.
Use the energy rating label to compare the energy efficiency of fridges and freezers of the same size. Choose a fridge with a high star rating, aim for 4 stars or better.
You can use the annual consumption on the energy rating label as an indication of the unit's annual running costs. See Calculating home appliance running costs.
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Using your fridge and freezer efficiently
- In addition to maintaining your fridge and freezer, the following tips will help you to use your fridge and freezer efficiently.
- Don't open the door too often or leave it open for too long as the cold air will escape and warm air will get in.
- Don't overfill the fresh food or freezer compartments. Allow sufficient space for cold air to circulate freely around each container or food item.
- Turn off your fridge and freezer if you are going away for a long period. Empty and clean the fridge and freezer and leave the door open.
- Turn off fridges and freezers that are not needed - eg if you have a second fridge and freezer such as a drinks fridge consider turning it off and only using it when needed. This could save you $250 - $300 per year.
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Running costs of a fridge and freezer
The running costs of a fridge and freezer depend on:
If you know the wattage of the fridge and freezer you can use that figure to calculate an estimated cost. The average annual energy consumption of the appliance is provided on the energy rating label or you can check the manufacturer's information.
If you have an older fridge without information on the wattage or an energy rating label, consider using the home energy toolkit's appliance meter to calculate the running costs.
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Recycling old fridges and freezers
If your old fridge and freezer is still working consider contacting a welfare agency or charity organisation who may be able to make further use of it.
If not, contact your local council to see what options they have for recycling.
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