The refrigerator is an essential appliance in modern households, but it can be a frustrating power hog. Unlike other appliances, the refrigerator must remain on at all times for its benefits to be enjoyed. Unfortunately, the continuous use can translate to elevated power consumption and high electrical bills. If you are concerned about the electrical use in your home, you should use these practical steps to increase your refrigerator's energy efficiency.
Keep the Coils Clean
You should inspect the coils behind the refrigerator on a regular basis and clean them as required. These metal coils are critical components which are designed to help the refrigerator compressor get rid of heat and, subsequently, chill the internal space. If the coils are covered by layers of grime and dust, their efficiency in eliminating heat will decline. When you clean the coils, you will ensure faster elimination of heat, and the refrigerator will not need to work very hard for efficient function.
Seal the Door
Your refrigerator could be consuming a lot of power due to the flow of heat from the environment and into the internal space. In general, if your fridge door is not closed, warm air will find its way into the chilled cabinet. The increase in temperature in the appliance will force the compressor to cycle more frequently to manage the heat. As a result, more electricity will be required for food preservation. Also, the appliance will be more susceptible to accelerated wear. You can prevent these detriments by keeping the door closed and replacing the door gasket.
Protect from Heat
You should avoid placing your refrigerator in a high-temperature spot. If your appliance is installed next to sources of heat such as ovens, cookers and dishwashers, it will gain heat faster, forcing the compressor to work harder for optimal cooling. You should consider choosing a cooler spot for placement to ensure reduced energy consumption. You should also avoid putting warm food into your fridge. Allow food to cool first to prevent a sudden increase in fridge temperature.
Replace the Refrigerator
Your refrigerator might be consuming more electrical power than expected because of its innate inefficiency. Simply speaking, older appliances do not have energy-saving features to prevent unnecessary electricity use. You should consider disposing of your old refrigerator and purchasing an energy-efficient alternative for your residential use.
Finally, you should conduct immediate repairs if the refrigerator malfunctions because a damaged appliance will draw more electricity. You should consult an experienced electrician or appliance repair specialist for troubleshooting if you notice anomalies.