Saving Energy With Your Existing Fridge

Turn off the anti-sweat feature: Many fridges have small heaters that keep moisture from forming on the cabinet. This uses an extra 5-10% extra electricity. Most models that have this feature have a switch that lets you turn it off, usually labeled "Energy Saver"


Set the temperature for only as cold as you need it: Fridge should be 36-40F, and the freezer should be 0-5F (-17 to -10C).  Fridges set 10 degrees lower than needed (or freezers set 5 degrees lower than needed) can increase energy use by as much as 20-25%.


Don't put hot foods in the fridge: Food safety experts say you should refrigerate hot food to prevent contamination. But that doesn't mean you have to refrigerate them immediately. The USDA says to refrigerate within two hours of preparation (or one hour if the room temp is above 90°). One to two hours of cooling off time will definitely make your refrigerator work less.  It's a tradeoff -- the sooner you refrigerate the safer the food, but the more energy you use. Of course, meat and dairy foods are most susceptible to contamination, which is yet another reason to not eat meat and dairy in the first place.  Vegan foods are much safer.


Thaw frozen foods in the fridge rather than on the counter: They’ll help cool the fridge as they defrost.


Pick a good spot for the fridge: Your fridge will use less energy if you keep it away from heat and also place it where the heat it generates can easily dissipate.  Position your fridge out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources such as the oven and heat registers. Help the fridge get rid of the heat it generates by placing it along an external wall. If you don't use air conditioning then put the fridge in front of an open window to let the heat easily escape. This doesn't just make your fridge work less, it keeps your house cooler too. If your choices for locating your fridge are limited, then at the very least make sure that there is at least 2" of space all around to allow for circulation.


Defrost a non-frost-free freezer before the frost exceeds a quarter-inch thick: More frost makes the freezer work harder. But better yet, if your fridge isn't frost-free, that means it's old, and old fridges use tons of energy. Replace it with a newer model, made in 2001 or later.


Make sure the gasket is in good shape:
The gasket is that piece of rubber going around the door that seals the door to the refrigerator.  If it doesn't seal well, then cold air is escaping, so your fridge is working a lot harder.  If parts of it are coming off, then re-attach it with some adhesive caulk.