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Home : Energy Efficient Products : Appliances : Refrigerators
Refrigerators
Did you know that refrigerators are the most expensive appliance to operate in your kitchen? Switch to an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator which uses 20% less energy than conventional models and save money on your utility bill! ENERGY STAR refrigerators have better insulation, more efficient compressors and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms compared to conventional models.
“New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out” Rebate Program Replace your old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator and receive a cash rebate of up to $105!
How much will I save by replacing my old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR model?
By replacing your old, inefficient refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator and recycling your old one, you can reduce your environmental impact and save money on your utility bill. How much you save depends on how old your refrigerator is:
You may also want to replace your refrigerator if:
- Your electric rates are higher than the national average.
- You have a side-by-side refrigerator (they use 25% more energy).
- Your household size has shrunk and you could use a smaller model.
- It has been unreliable or required repairs in the past.
- You are thinking of remodeling. Take advantage of the opportunity to receive up to a $555 cash rebate with “New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out” Rebate Program!
Advanced Technology of ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR refrigerators are designed to operate more efficiently than conventional refrigerators without sacrificing the style and performance you want. Technological innovations include:
- More Precise Temperature and Defrost Mechanisms that help the refrigerator operate more efficiently, while ensuring food is kept at the optimum temperature
- Improved Insulation located in doors and exterior walls which help food stay cold and muffle noise
- High Efficiency Compressors which use less energy to operate the refrigerator, are often quieter than regular compressors, and create less heat while they are running
- Variety of Designs on the most advanced refrigerators including French-door, side-by-side, bottom-mount freezer, and top-mount freezer
Buyer’s Guide for Refrigerators
What you should know before buying a refrigerator:
- Ask for an ENERGY STAR model.
When buying a refrigerator from a retailer, request an ENERGY STAR qualified model to ensure that you will receive the greatest energy savings.
- Check the yellow Energy Guide label.
Use the label to determine the model’s energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs. How to Use the Energy Guide Label
- Purchase the right sized refrigerator.
The larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. Consider the style of the refrigerator you are purchasing as well. French door and side-by-side fridges use more energy than top-mount freezer models due to their design.
Consumers Can Help Our Environment with ENERGY STAR
In the past, consumers have been hesitant to upgrade their refrigerators to ENERGY STAR qualified models or even to properly dispose of their old units. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, seven out of ten refrigerators sold are not ENERGY STAR qualified, 44% of displaced or discarded refrigerators stay on the grid and 23 million inefficient refrigerators manufactured before 1993 are still in use. In addition, 26% of all U.S. households have a second refrigerator which is old, inefficient and infrequently used with more added every year.
By recycling our old appliances and replacing them with ENERGY STAR qualified models, we can make a major positive impact on our environment.
The Importance of Recycling Your Old Refrigerator
Depending on the year they were manufactured, the refrigerant and insulation in older refrigerators and freezers may contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are ozone depleting chemicals. CFCs are potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change when emitted to the atmosphere. In 1996, CFCs were officially phased out, and it is now required that these materials be recycled so that the CFCs are not released into the atmosphere.
Many appliance retailers will pick up and recycle your old refrigerator when you purchase a new one. Some local recycling centers and transfer stations will provide recycling services as well. You will also receive the maximum cash rebate with “New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out” Rebate Program when you recycle your old refrigerator and replace it with a new ENERGY STAR model!
Energy Saving Tips
Follow these guidelines to boost your energy savings to the max!
- Allow air circulation behind the fridge. Leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator, and keep the condenser coils clean if you have an older model. Read the user’s manual to learn how to safely clean coils. Coil cleaning brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
- Position away from heat sources such as dishwashers, ovens or sunlight from windows. Position away from walls and cabinets as well. It is important that air can circulate around the condenser coils, which should be cleaned at least once a year, keeping the machine working most efficiently.
- Check the door seals. Make sure the door seals are airtight. You can check this by closing a dollar bill in it. If you can pull it out, replace the seals.
- Set the appropriate temperature. Keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit and freezers at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep the door closed. Minimize the amount of time your refrigerator or freezer doors are open.
- Do not leave room for air to circulate in your refrigerator’s freezer. Freezers work best and stay colder when tightly packed with food.
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ENERGY SAVING TIPS
Use timers on indoor and outdoor lights.
Set your air-conditioning thermostat at 78ºF or higher during the cooling season.
“New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out” Rebate Program
Savings Calculator
Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator
List of Super-Efficient Refrigerators
Which types of refrigerators are the most energy efficient?
Links
Did You Know?
Over time, refrigerant wears out, seals leak, and your refrigerator’s performance suffers as a result. Replace that old, inefficient fridge with a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator and start saving today!
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