When deciding on a major appliance purchase such as a refrigerator, you should seriously consider buying a higher efficiency one with the Energy Star label. The Energy Star label means that the appliance was rated objectively, and the label itself includes information on the cost savings for the expected life of the appliance. Many higher-efficiency refrigerators may be more expensive than less efficient ones, but consider what the long-term energy savings will be during its life when you look at the initial cost.
Whether you have a choice on the type of refrigerator for your kitchen or not (as in usually the case with most rental homes and apartments) here are a few tips to help you maintain your refrigerator and keep it running at its most efficient manner.
The location of your fridge is important. Whenever possible, it should be situated away from other heat producing appliances, a cooker being the prime example; if the sunlight hits it at a certain point of the day through a window, the blinds should be kept shut during that period.
Where you store your items inside your fridge is also important. Things that you use regularly like milk or butter/margarine, for example, should be stored in the most easily accessible shelves so that the door is not kept open for too long. That not only causes your fridge to lose its cooling properties, but the longer the door is kept open, the harder the motor has to work, which, over time, will wear it out more quickly. You should get into the habit of shutting the door right away each time you take an item out.
Your fridge should be inspected regularly for signs of damaged seals. A good way of checking that it is not losing cold air is to place a piece of paper between the door and the body of the fridge and then shut the door. If the seals are working properly the door will shut tightly and you should still have to tug the door a little to open it. If the seals are damaged the door will almost certainly open by itself when you carry out this test. Dirt and grime can collect inside the seals too, which will also affect the way the sealing mechanism works, so make sure you wipe the seals thoroughly and clean the rest of your fridge regularly to prevent that from occurring. You can also vacuum the seals if you prefer or gently sweep them with a soft brush.
Finally, every six months or so you should pull your fridge away from the wall, unplug it, and vacuum the coils on the back. This helps restore some efficiency that is lost due to accumulation of dust and dirt over time.
These tips should help your refrigerator run in a more efficient manner, saving you money while reducing your footprint on the planet.
Autor: Natalia Norman
Readers are invited to visit the author's website and to opt in for further information and resources on leading a "greener" lifestyle. The address is http://www.earthconsciousgoods.com
Added: August 21, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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