How to conserve energy and save money using your refrigerator

If you are in the market for a new refrigerator and are reading this article -cha ching- you have just saved big bucks. I will give you a few tips so you will end up saving money in the long run.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. First, you should know that the average home contains a 16 cubic feet refrigerator, which burns about 60 kilowatt hours monthly and roughly costs about $1100 per year.
2. The most energy efficient model of refrigerators is the top freezer models. Older top freezer models burn more energy than the more modern ones, but stay away from the side by side models, if you are trying to conserve.
3. To cut some of the costs associated with your refrigerator, you can start by placing your refrigerator away from your stove, or other sources of heat. Try to find the coolest spot in your kitchen for this particular appliance.
4. One of the basic components of a refrigerator is known as the condenser coil. It is located in the back of the unit. Air conditioners also have condenser coils. Condenser coils allow heat to move from appliances and thrust into the air. You should never push the back of your refrigerator up too close to the wall. You must allow some space so that air can flow freely about the condenser coil.
5. Opening and closing your refrigerator door causes a fluctuation in the temperature, so be sure not to overdo this. Decide what you want before you open your refrigerator; don’t open it, then think for two minutes, then close it.
6. Organizing refrigerated items will result in good air circulation in the refrigerator. Your fridge door should be used for mostly bottled products like pickles, jelly, wine, condiments and such. Use the crisper drawer for vegetables, the racks for beverages and the other drawers for cold cuts and cheese.
7. Always cool cooked foods prior to putting them away. The heat will change the temperature in your fridge and cause it to work harder, thus using more energy and costing you more money.
8. Like anything else, you get out what you put in, so put some work into your refrigerator, and it will not need to over work.
   
   You may not see the savings today, but follow these tips and track your electricity bill every month; over time you will see the difference.
   
   If you don't see a difference, visit my webite, www.amanijane.com and tell me which of steps above you skipped :-)