How to run your fridge efficiently
17.10.22
Efficient appliances are great in the current climate of the UK. Ensuring you have the most up to date items in your household is the most effective way to save energy and money in the long run.
Whilst this is the best way to save money and energy, it’s not an option for all households; utilising what you have readily available and making small changes can help too.
Fridges are one of the most energy consuming appliances in our households, so here is some advice which will help you with the costs of running one.
Having your fridge in a cooler area of the house, out of the sun and with some space for ventilation will aid it in keeping its necessary temperature.
There is a specific way of organising your refrigerator to ensure that your food will be cooled to its optimum and last for as long as possible; further saving you pennies along the way.
The top shelf of the fridge is the warmest area, therefore utilising this for pre-cooked produce such as cured meats, meal prep and leftovers is most suited.
The middle shelves should be home to dairy items like yogurt, cheeses, and cream.
The bottom shelf is perfect for uncooked meats; this aids the prevention of cross contamination in the fridge, as juices won’t fall onto other items. It is also the coolest part of the fridge and will therefore keep your meats fresh.
Your crispier draw is the ideal environment to keep your fruit and vegetables fresh – ensure you keep items such as tomatoes, bananas, plumbs, and avocados in your fruit bowl and not in the fridge, they release gasses which can lead to other foods in the fridge spoiling.
My fresh choice is a dedicated compartment, offering extra fridge or freezer space. The temperature can be altered between minus 20 degrees to 5 degrees, offering an isolated area for any shopping overflow.
Maintaining your fridge well keeps it working efficiently for longer. Ensure you keep an eye on the body, areas like the seals and coils of the fridge are important to look after. The seals should be clean and intact, so that the airflow of the fridge is kept inside, and no cold air is escaping. The condenser coils often get dusty too, so by regularly checking and cleaning this area your fridge could run up to 25% more efficiently! *
Alongside this, other small things you can do to keep your fridge in tip-top condition is defrosting items inside the fridge rather than thawing in a microwave – this helps to cool the fridge slightly. Also, ensure when putting meal prep or leftovers in the fridge they have fully cooled down; using glass containers over plastic containers will help keep the food cold and fresh.
Make sure to regularly check that the temperature of your fridge is set to 5 degrees or under, to ensure your food is kept fresh. Place a thermometer in the fridge to check the actual temperature of your fridge – just because your fridge is set to 5 degrees it doesn’t mean this is the temperature it reaches.
To shop a range of energy efficient refrigerators, click here.