Problem

Consumption

Refrigerators consume 7% of all household electricity. This does not need to be the case, energy consumption can be reduced if we start using it more efficiently.

Quantity

How many is enough? 1 in 3 Canadian households have second fridges, either to use as beer fridges or for extra food. Is it totally necessary for you and your roommate to have your own fridges in school?

Age

Refrigerators constructed before 2001 can use up to five times more energy than current models. This means that you are paying up to five times as much, and using more energy than you need to, if you have an older fridge.

Fluorocarbons – HFC and HCFC Refrigerants

Considered a major source of greenhouse gasses, HFC Refrigerants are contributors to global warming and subsequent climate change. Fluorocarbons have been “rebranded” by most refrigerator and air conditioner manufacturers as the happier sounding HFC and HCFC – FC stands for Fluorocarbon.

Solution

Green Living Tips

Cut back on Excess; Sell your extra fridges to go green.

• Organize your grocery shopping and fridge so you don’t need two.
• Only put things in the fridge if it needs cold storage.
• Only turn on the second fridge when you need extra food for entertaining.
• Will buying a larger primary fridge satisfy your needs?
• Change your habits to make do with the fridge you have before purchasing a second one.

Don’t purchase a fridge which uses Fluorocarbons

Look for a refrigerator using hydrocarbon refrigerants rather than Fluorocarbon refrigerants (HFC’s or HCFC’s). HFC’s are often touted by manufacturers as an environmentally friendly replacement for the more toxic HCFC’s. However, there are just varying levels of toxicity to the environment as opposed to elimination of toxins altogether. The only problem with the implementation of hydrocarbons as a refrigerant is that many of them are flammable. However, it has been proven that modern fridges can use hydrocarbons safely.

Don’t Purchase a Fridge with built-in Features

Ice Makers and water chillers are convenient – but they consume up to 20% more energy than a fridge without them. Consider both your energy cost and the minimal effort it takes to store water in the fridge and ice cube trays in the freezer.

Temperature

It is easy to regulate temperature in a fridge whatever its age. Set the temps at 36-38 Fahrenheit (2 Celsius) in the fridge and 0-5 Fahrenheit (-17 Celsius) in the freezer. These are the optimal temperatures for both compartments to be at without overstraining the compressor. Every degree lower increases the energy use by 5%. If your thermostat is on a numeric scale (i.e. 1-5 or 1-10), consult with the manufacturer as to which range falls within the above temperatures. If they can’t tell you, set the scale to midrange for both. The lowest setting may not be the safest to prevent food spoiling, which causes its own set of environmental issues.

Cleanliness produces Greenness

Spoiled food begets more spoiled food, which does “spend” more than your cost of the food in terms of the environment. Clean your fridge regularly to ensure you are not spending money and wasting energy keeping rotten food cold. Move the fridge out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils annually. This allows it to operate more efficiently.

Ban Frosty

Excessive frost makes your compressor work harder. Defrost whenever you notice a crust forming.

Shadowy & Cool

Keep the fridge away from heat sources such as the stove, direct sunlight, or other appliances.

Super Green Me Tips

Buying a New Fridge

When it is time to get a new fridge, make sure you choose the most energy efficient model. If you are located anywhere but North America, you can buy a fridge that uses hydrocarbons instead of fluorocarbons; in North America you are stuck with them until the politicos change their minds and get with the program. Raise awareness politically to try to get hydrocarbon refrigeration technology in place in North America.

Pollution control

Dispose of old fridges properly Make sure that your old fridge is going to a place where the CFC’s will be recovered and won’t simply be released to the environment.

Product Recommendations

North America Any Energy Star rated fridge manufactured after 2001. These use at least 40% less energy than those that do not qualify, and thereby save $145.00 per year. Rest of the World Any fridge using Greenfreeze technology; available everywhere but North America

Effectiveness / Result

The Facts

• The biggest offenders in the refrigerator to the environment are HCFC’s or HFC’s. These fluorocarbons are one of the major sources of greenhouse gasses. While fluorocarbons are not a threat while they are being used in your refrigerator, they will be a problem when your fridge is disposed of.
• If you have an HFC or older fridge, make certain that you are disposing of it in an environmentally friendly fashion with a reputable company.
• Purchase a hydrocarbon fridge to replace it if you are outside of North America. Try to stick with one fridge if you can. It costs on average $310.00 a year in electricity to run a fridge, and the less you have, the more you save.
• Bottom and top freezer models are the most efficient, using 13-16% less energy than a side-by-side model.
• Cleaning and defrosting your fridge regularly, and the coils annually, will keep the efficiency at optimal levels and your food fresh.