Refrigeration and Freezing

1. Keep the refrigerator door shut. If the door is open for only 30 seconds, the refrigerator requires about 30 minutes to recover its initial temperature.
2. Vacuum the refrigerator coils every three months. This helps the condenser to operate more efficiently. Dusty, dirty coils consume as much as 25 percent more energy.
3. Use the proper temperature setting: Set refrigerators at 36-40 degrees, freezers at 0-5 degrees. Being 10 degrees cooler than necessary can increase energy use by 25 percent. (Test refrigerator temperature by putting a thermometer in a glass of water inside for a few hours. In the freezer, put a thermometer between two frozen items.)
4. Cool foods to room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator.
5. Place the refrigerator away from the oven, dishwasher, heating vents, and direct sunlight.
6. Leave space around the refrigerator. Check the manufacturer’s operating manual for information. (Two inches on all sides is a good rule of thumb.)
7. Adjust the front leveling feet so the door closes on its own.
8. Keep the freezer full—even if you have to add cartons of water. The ice holds the cold temperature better and can always be used when extra ice is needed.
9. Defrost manual defrost refrigerators and freezers when frost is one-quarter inch thick. Both operate most efficiently when nearly full but not overcrowded.
10. Cover liquids when storing them in the refrigerator. That keeps the compressor from working harder to remove extra moisture.
11. Wipe all moisture from containers before placing them in the refrigerator.
12. Check door gaskets regularly. If a dollar bill slips through the closed door, gaskets aren’t sealing properly.
13. Consider replacing older units. Older models (10 years or older) use a great deal of energy.