Does this sound familiar? You bought a new Energy Star-qualified refrigerator and moved your old fridge to the garage or basement to keep a few drinks cold. Here’s a tip from Sangre De Cristo Electric in Buena Vista that can help you save energy and money. Get rid of the old refrigerator.
Old refrigerators, especially those more than 17 years old, tend to use a lot of energy. A refrigerator bought before 1993 uses more than twice as much energy as a new Energy Star refrigerator. So you’re spending a lot of money to keep that refrigerator running. What’s more, refrigerant wears out and seals start to leak over time, causing a decline in the performance of an older refrigerator.
If you have moved your old refrigerator to an uninsulated location, such as a garage, it will use even more energy during hot weather. A fridge in a 90-degree environment, for example, uses nearly 50 percent more energy than one in a 70-degree environment. And if the temperature falls below about 40 degrees in the winter, the refrigerator’s thermostat may not run its cooling and defrost cycles for the appropriate amount of time.
So just by pulling the plug on that old refrigerator, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.
For other tips on how to save energy — and money — visit Touchstone Energy’s energy-saving website at www.TogetherWeSave.com or call the energy experts at Sangre De Cristo Electric. Find out how the little changes add up.