Unlike other large appliances in the home like a stove or dryer, refrigerators and freezers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's why it's important to make sure they're in tip-top shape and working efficiently to help your bill stay chill.
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Make sure the temperature inside your fridge is between 2°C and 3°C and the temperature in your freezer is set between -15° and -18°C. If set to the appropriate temperature range, your fridge and freezer will keep your food cold without over-chilling or causing freezer burn.
Not sure what temperature your fridge is set at? Use a fridge thermometer to take the guesswork out of this important appliance. If your fridge doesn't have a built-in temperature indicator, you can purchase a fridge thermometer from most kitchen or home improvement stores.
Once placed, allow 15 minutes for the thermometer to adjust. If the temperature is outside of the recommended range, adjust the temperature dial and recheck the next day.
Gaskets on your fridge or freezer deteriorate over time. To ensure your fridge is operating efficiently, you'll need to check that it seals up tight with the door closed. If it isn't sealed tight, cold air will escape, and the fridge will need to work harder to stay cool.
Watch the video below for an easy way to check the condition of your fridge's seal – also known as the gasket – using a piece of paper.
Place a piece of paper between the door and the refrigerator as you close it. If you can move the paper freely in the door, the fridge is not sealed tightly.
You can also place a flashlight inside the fridge or freezer and turn it on, then close the door. If you can see light around the door gasket, it’s not sealing properly.
First, you'll need to buy a replacement seal. Identify the make and model number of your refrigerator and measure the size of the door, then check out local hardware retailers, appliance retailers, and the manufacturer’s website to find suitable replacement parts.
To replace the seal:
Ready for an upgrade? Here are a few things to look for when buying a new fridge or freezer.
When looking at fridge-freezer combos, top- or bottom-mounted freezers are up to 20% more efficient than side-mount freezer units.
Or you can opt for a chest-style freezer. They use up to 51% less energy than upright freezers because they lose less cold air when opened. Additionally, if you have a power outage, chest freezers may keep food frozen for two to three days, while uprights might only last one day. Keep in mind, adding an additional chest freezer will increase your overall electricity use.
The typical lifespan of a fridge is about 10 to 15 years. When it's time to replace yours, keep in mind that refrigerators with ice and water dispensers built into the door use more energy than those without.
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