How to Buy an Energy Efficient Freezer

Saving money on the energy bill is something every homeowner wishes to do. But what's the best way to go about doing it? One of the first things you should do when you want to create a more energy efficient home is upgrade your existing appliances. Buy a new washing machine, get a new dryer and pick up a refrigerator and freezer that help reduce your costs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine the capacity that you'll need for your freezer. A good rule of thumb is that you should have about 4 to 4 1/2 cubic feet per person in the household. That doesn't sound like a lot, but by volume that's actually quite a bit.

2. Invest in a chest-style freezer. A chest style freezer is commonly far more energy efficient than a front loading freezer as they typically include a much thicker hull with an increased level of insulation (sometimes as much as 3" of foam insulation).

3. Buy an energy efficient freezer that includes a digital or comprehensive thermostat as opposed to a generally numbered one. A detailed thermostat gives you much more precise control over the temperature in the freezer (which should always remain at 0 degrees F).

4. Buy a freezer that has a heavy door and sturdy hinges. Heavy doors and hinges help keep the seal of the gasket tight at all times. When you test the door you should feel some noticeable resistance when you try to open it: that means the door has a strong seal and will therefore retain more cold air.

5. Choose a freezer that is able to regulate its own climate, turning itself on and off as needed. A freezer that can detect and monitor it's own internal temperature (and independently of the refrigerator) will consume less energy than one that runs constantly.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying a freezer that operates independently of a refrigerator. Independent freezers require less energy overall since the loss of cold air to a refrigerator is reduced or eliminated.
• Don't place a freezer near appliances in your kitchen that generate a lot of heat like a stove or a toaster oven. Even though the freezer is insulated, heat from these appliances can affect the climate in the freezer, thereby increasing its energy output as it tries to counteract the ambient heat.

Resources

• Find Energy Star approved appliances at EnergyStar.gov