DrDeClutterBlog.com

Refrigerators and freezers account for about a sixth of all electricity use in a typical US home. They use more electricity than any other single household appliance.

Refrigerator Use 

1. Keeping your fridge full (not to the point of over-stuffing) will allow it to run at maximum capacity.

2. Over-crowding or under-using makes the fridge work harder to maintain it’s optimal internal temp of 3 deg C, or 37 deg F.

3. If you don’t have a lot of food in your fridge at times, put in a couple of large containers/bottles/jugs of water. This will help regulate the temperature. And, you’ll have cold water if you want to drink it!

4. Clean the coils under or in back of your refrigerator at least once a year. If you kitchen gets lots of breeze, dust and dust-bunnies, do it twice a year.

Freezer Use 

1. Because a freezer operates most efficiently when full, buy the smallest freezer you think you will need.

2. Clean the coils on the back once every year.

IMPORTANT: POWER SURGES AND OUTAGES

If the power has gone out or the appliance stops working:

1. Do not open the door, letting out the cold that it has left.

2. Frozen food will stay frozen about two days if the freezer is full. About one day if the it’s half full.

3. Refrigerator food, especially milk based, will go bad quickly.

4. Sadly – the rule of thumb (and safety) is: When in doubt, throw it out.

But, “what if it smells okay?!” Many harmful bacteria can’t be seen, smelled or tasted, so your safety is at risk if the little guys are creating their new world!