Energy Efficiency Facts About Refrigerators

y ou 9 ve changed them, keep them clean so they seal properly.<br><br> Test the balance If y our refrigerator or freezer isn 9t lev el, the door may not seal properly allowing cold air to leak out. A quick way to test the balance is to set a glass of water on top of your appliance. Then, simply adjust the legs until the water is level.<br><br> Consult y our owner 9 s manual for maintenance and safety instructions. Open only when necessary Opening the refrigerator or freezer door only when necessary will reduce the amount of cold air lost. When loading groceries or leftovers, set all perishable foods aside and stock your refrigerator or freezer at one time instead of repeatedly opening and closing the door.<br><br> Turn off the anti-sweat switch Your refrigerator uses less energy if you turn off the anti- sweat heater switch. These switches prevent moisture build-up on the outside and can generally be turned off in most parts of San Diego County (areas of low humidity). Don 9t overload Try not to overload the capacity of your refrigerator or freezer.<br><br> Refer to y our owner 9 s manual for correct capacity. Also, adding a large quantity of unfrozen food to your freezer over several days will not allow it to quick-freeze your f ood. Here 9 s a hint for efficiently freezing food: About two to three pounds of food for every cubic foot of your freezer will freeze within a 24 -hour period.<br><br> Check the location Place your refrigerator or freezer in a dry, cool and well- ventilated area. Be sure to keep them away from heat sources like ovens, stoves, hot water heaters and clothes dryers. Vacation tips When leaving town for a few days, here are some things to consider: " Remove foods from your refrigerator that are likely to spoil, like leftovers and dairy products.<br><br> There 9 s no need to cool something y ou 9 re going to throw away anyway. ENERGY EFFICIENCY " You don 9t need to unplug your refrigerator or freezer or even adjust the thermostats. It 9s just not cost­effective.<br><br> Some refrigerators, particularly older models, may have difficulty restarting. So if you have an older model, be sure to consider this before unplugging it. " If you 9re away for four weeks or more, consider cleaning out your refrigerator, unplugging it and leaving the doors open.<br><br> If there is a chance that children or pets might be around while you 9re gone, be extremely careful. Some older refrigerators and freezers are impossible to open from the inside should someone get trapped inside. Keep it closed when the lights go out If your power goes out for 24 hours or less, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.<br><br> This will help foods stay cold. If your service is interrupted for longer than a day, consider buying some dry ice (two lbs. for every cubic foot of freezer space) and placing it in your freezer.<br><br> This will help to keep your food frozen for two to four days. Please wear gloves when handling the dry ice to protect your hands from dry ice burns. After your power comes back on, check the condition of your food.<br><br> If you feel it is unsafe, you should dispose of it. Replace older models Older refrigerators and freezers can use up to twice as much energy as new models of the same size. So, you may want to consider replacing your old model with a newer, more efficient model.<br><br> Making the right choice on a new model When shopping for a new refrigerator or freezer, be sure to com- pare the appliance 9s annual energy use as well as the purchase price. You can find the annual energy use scale on the yellow and black EnergyGuide label on the front of new models. The further the arrow is to the left, the less the appliance costs to use.<br><br> New refrigerators and freezers also have many features that can affect operating costs. Also, look for models with the ENERGY STAR ® label 4they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and cost less to operate than standard models (see following chart). 19-year old: $288 per year ENERGY STAR ® qualified: $91 per year Annual Savings: $197 per year* * Your actual savings will vary depending upon the size, model, style and energy efficiency level of the refrigerator or freezer that you buy.<br><br> Operating costs are based on 15 cents per kWh. Actual price may vary based on market prices, your tiered rate, and other factors. To select the model that 9s right for you, be sure to consider your family 9s size and its needs along with the following tips: Refrigerators " Automatic defrost units will prevent frost build-up in both the freezer and refrigerator.<br><br> " Through-the-door water and ice dispensers stop cold air loss by reducing the number of times the doors are opened and closed. Stand-alone freezers " Tw o basic types of freezers are available 4chest and upright models. Chest models lose less cold air when opening the door and usually hold more food than an upright model of the same capacity.<br><br> On the other hand, upright models generally offer easier access and require less floor space. " Manual defrost units are cheaper to run than automatic defrost units as long as you defrost regularly and keep the frost build- up to less than 1 D 4 inch. Otherwise, they may actually cost you more to run.<br><br> No matter what features you select, you should generally allow six cubic feet of freezer space for each person in your household. For more information SDG&E is committed to providing safe, reliable energy and exceptional customer service. If you 9d like more energy­saving information, contact SDG&E at 1-800-411- SDGE ( 7343 ) or by e-mail at info@sdge.com .<br><br> You can also visit our Web site at www.sdge.com . 1-800-411-SDGE (7343) www.sdge.com ©2004 San Diego Gas & Electric Company. INV2506 0430047 0804 2M All rights reserved.<br><br> Some materials used under license, with all rights reserved by the Licensor.

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