Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Freezer- A Power Consumer

Energy companies, like IDT Energy, can attest to the fact that using your appliances correctly can lower your electricity bill. Here is a good example of an appliance that many people neglect, which consumes a lot of power on a regular basis- the freezer.
Lots of freezers are put in a corner and are surrounded by walls or cabinets on all sides. It would be better to leave at least 5cm worth of space around it, to allow heat to circulate away from the compressor and condensing coil. Also, keep the back and underside of your freezer clean and free of dust. Defrost and clean the inside of your freezer once a year, and sooner if the ice buildup is more than a quarter of an inch thick. Always ensure that the door seal is intact and secure.
Also, make sure to keep your freezer at 18C. Each degree lower than that causes your freezer to consume 2% more power.