Because your refrigerator/freezer is always running, it’s important that you’re using it efficiently. In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance.

If you replace a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model, you would save enough energy to light your (average-sized) household for nearly four months.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), you can minimize the energy consumption of your existing refrigerator by following these tips:

1. Check Door Seals
Do this by putting a dollar bill in the door as you close it and see if it holds firmly in place. Or, put a bright flashlight inside the refrigerator and direct the light toward a section of the door seal. With the door closed and the room darkened, inspect for light through the crack.

2. Adjust the Thermostat
The refrigerator compartment should be kept between 36°F and 38°F, and the freezer compartment between 0°F and 5°F.

3. Move the Refrigerator to a Cooler Location
If your refrigerator is in the sunlight or next to your stove or dishwasher, it has to work harder.

4. Check Power-Saver Switch
Many refrigerators have small heaters built into the walls to prevent moisture from condensing on the outer surface. On some units, this feature can be turned off with an energy-saver or power-saver switch. Unless you have noticeable condensation, keep this switch on the energy saving setting.

5. Minimize Frost Build-Up
Manual defrost and partial automatic defrost refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted on a regular basis. The buildup of ice on the coils inside the unit means that the compressor has to run longer to maintain cold temperatures, wasting energy. If you live in a very hot, humid climate and don’t use air conditioning, defrosting may be required quite frequently with a manual defrost model. After defrosting, you might be able to adjust the thermostat to a warmer setting, further saving energy.

6. Manage Your Food and Storage Space
To keep your refrigerator from working too hard, let hot foods cool, cover foods, label items for quick identification, and keep your freezer full.

Buying New
When buying a new refrigerator, ACEEE recommends that you consider models that use at least 20% less electricity than that required by federal law. Models that are 20%, 25% and 30% better than the federal standard may even qualify for rebates — check with your local utility.

To compare energy performance across different refrigerator types, look for the measured “kWh/year” on the yellow EnergyGuide label posted on the refrigerator (and available on-line through many manufacturers and retailers websites).

Many ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models include automatic ice-maker and through-the-door ice dispensers. Qualified models are also available with top, bottom, and side-by-side freezers. For a list of ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers, click here.

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