Not all electrical appliances have the same consumption and it must be taken into account that some may represent a significant amount. This is the case of the refrigerator, which in certain cases could reach over 30% of the total bill. It is important to always use a guaranteed device that works well, but also has lower consumption. Therefore, in this article we are going to talk about how time affects consumption and when should you change the fridge from home to save electricity.
We are going to base ourselves on data from the OCU, where they show what the useful life of the refrigerator is and how it helps you save if you have a new one. They assure that changing the device can make save electricity and pay off that investment. Keep in mind that a refrigerator from 20 years ago is not the same as a much more efficient current one.
When to change the refrigerator to save
According to the OCU, the estimated useful life of a refrigerator is 12.3 years. They recommend not changing it before that time, unless you have a problem. It is from that date, on average, when it is really a good option to buy another refrigerator. You will have made good use of the one you have and there will already be much more efficient models and that difference will make the investment profitable.
Therefore, if your refrigerator is a little over 12 years old, it is time to change it. You will find much more efficient models, more current, and you will notice it on the invoice. Of course, it is key that you acquire one that focuses especially on efficiency. Although they are more expensive, in the long run you end up saving.
Today, the best option is energy efficiency A. They are the ones that will work more efficiently, so they will consume less energy. You can find a more than significant difference if you compare it with an older device, with those 12.3 years on average that OCU mentions.
Save when using the fridge
Now, regardless of changing your refrigerator or not, you can always take some measures to save energy. One of them is to adjust very well the temperature. Each degree can make you spend or save over 7%. We advise you to keep it around 5-6 degrees, while the freezer should be around -18 degrees. You don’t need to set a lower temperature.
Another tip is that avoid opening the door too much or that you leave it open more than the necessary time. It is precisely at that moment when more energy is going to be consumed, since, when hot air enters from outside, the compressor must work at a higher power to recover the temperature and to be able to keep the food in good condition.
Besides, it’s good that position the refrigerator correctly. Do not put it very close to the wall, nor close to electrical appliances that give off heat, such as an oven. The best thing is that the air can circulate well and does not accumulate heat. That will help you extend the useful life, in addition to spending less energy.
As you can see, it is important to have a current, modern, low consumption refrigerator. According to the OCU, every 12.3 years it is good to change the device. It is the estimated time that a refrigerator currently has a useful life. You can buy a domotized one, to control it remotely. Of course, check which devices are connected to Wi-Fi to find out if it is configured correctly.
