Easy Peasy Tip: Optimize your Fridge Efficiency!
By tinychoices | October 20, 2007
While experts agree that a full fridge is more efficient than an empty one, they also agree that the most efficient refrigerator is a CLOSED refrigerator. Take a few minutes every couple of weeks to go through your fridge to make sure you know what’s in there. Toss old stuff and rearrange what’s currently in there to keep air flow moving (a full fridge is more efficient, but an overfull fridge is no persons friend). Work out a system so you generally know what staples you should have on-hand at all time and where they should be, so you avoid standing in front of the open fridge while the penguins start knocking at your front door.
If you have a chronically empty fridge you may want to keep jugs of water in it (or bags of ice in the freezer) to minimize the empty space and to keep the fridge working efficiently. Sacks of old newspaper will work well in a pinch too, but are ugly and prone to disintegration if you have an old fridge with a condensation problem.
Also, this is neither easy nor peasy, but if you get all crazy about your fridge this weekend try cleaning your refrigerator coils. it will also boost the efficiency of your unit! (note: it would take some serious need for procrastination to get certain members of Team Tiny Choices [Karina! and Jenn!] to do this. just sayin’.)
[[photo from marie-II via flickr]]
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Topics: Easy Peasy Tips | 7 Comments »
Bill and i love your reference to the penguins!!! thanks
I learned it from you! :)
Okay, after reading this, I got up and cleaned my refridgerator coils. On my fridge, they’re on the bottom, so it was really easy and took me maybe 5 minutes. I took before and after pictures. It was shocking.
http://www.numtopia.com/janice/blog/archives/000630.cfm
OH MY GOSH, thank you for posting that! amazing!
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Also, this is neither easy nor peasy, but if you get all crazy about your fridge this weekend try cleaning your refrigerator coils. it will also boost the efficiency of your unit! (note: it would take some serious need for procrastination to get certain members of Team Tiny Choices [Karina! and Jenn!] to do this. just sayin’.)”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
You can also take advantage of the colder weather and place a jug of water outside to freeze and then put in your fridge to help cool, saves a tons of energy.