Did you know that, next to central air conditioning systems, fridges are the biggest consumers of energy in the average home? In fact, fridges are estimated to be responsible for as much as 20% of the electricity consumed by the average home\’s domestic appliances. That\’s a big chunk of your energy bill, so choosing a new fridge wisely today can save you big money in the long run.

About the Energy Star Rating for Fridges

You can\’t miss the Energy Star label when you walk into a showroom to look at fridges. It\’s right there in plain sight and you can see at a glance how well one fridge stacks up against another when it comes to its energy efficiency. If one fridge has 4 stars out of 6 highlighted in red while another has only 2, it is more energy efficient, but how much more efficient is it? Is a 4 star fridge twice as efficient as a 2 star rated model?

Each added star represents a greater efficiency of 23%, so a refrigerator that has been given 4 stars is 46% more energy efficient than its 2 star rated counterpart. Energy Star didn\’t just pull that number out of a hat: it is the result of a complicated equation.

Every appliance is tested differently. A fridge, being a closed system, uses energy differently than an air conditioner, although the cooling devices are similar. Two things dictate the efficiency of a refrigerator:

1. How fast does it cool down the interior?

2. How long does the interior stay at the desired temperature before the thermostat turns it on again?

Energy Star uses what it calls a \”Pull Down\” test on fridges. First, they are left unplugged with their doors open in a room that has been heated to 43 degrees Celsius. Then the doors are shut and the power turned on. The fridge must then reach a certain temperature within 6 hours and maintain it for a minimum amount of time, with various outside temperatures ranging from 10 to 43 degrees Celsius.

The fridge has to pass the minimum requirements of this test just in order to be considered for a star rating. Refrigerators that do not reach the minimum requirements are not allowed to be sold in Australia. Many other calculations are made based on how quickly a fridge reaches the required temperature and how long it maintains it. The end result is its star rating.

Other Ways to Save on Fridges

When you compare their energy ratings with their prices, you may be surprised to learn that you don\’t have to pay more for a fridge with a better Energy Star rating. Budget fridges can actually be more energy efficient than some expensive models. However, there are other things to think about as well. Do you need more freezer capacity? If so, you may want to look into \”upside down\” fridges (the freezer is underneath the fridge) or \”side by side\” fridges whose freezers are behind full-length doors next to the main fridge door. Both of these styles do cost more initially than a standard model with a freezer mounted on top, but may save you in other ways. If you find that you go grocery shopping frequently to stock up on frozen foods, the extra fuel costs probably more than offset the cost of buying one of these larger freezer capacity fridges.

Remember, too, that the temperature of the goods you put into the fridge is going to affect the temperature inside the fridge. If you\’re sticking with a fridge that has grown too small for your growing family\’s needs, you will have to restock it frequently and it will have to work harder and consume more energy to keep its contents cool. Balance the Energy Star rating of a fridge with your personal and family needs. This way, you will not only save money, but get a fridge you will be happy with for years to come.

An online appliances website that compares all the major brands and models can make choosing a fridge quick and easy. First select the features you are looking for and then sort the results by \”lowest price\” or \”best deals.\” Before you know it, you will have found the perfect fridge.

Author Bio: Dan Stewart is a writer and researcher for Comparison.com.au, Australia\’s largest product comparison website. Find all your home appliances online at Comparison.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: fridges,refrigerators,energy efficient fridges,greenhouse gases