Ways to Make a Refrigerator More Efficient

• The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house, second only to the air conditioner. But at least you can turn off your air conditioner on those cooler days. You generally don't unplug the refrigerator--it has to run constantly to keep your food cool. There are ways, however, to greatly increase the efficiency of your old fridge without having to buy a newer one.
  
  

Seal the Doors

• Always make sure the door of the fridge is shut completely, and never leave the door hanging open. Feel around the edges of the door while it's shut for breezes. If you feel a breeze, this means cold air is escaping, causing the fridge to work overtime. This is not only a waste of money, but it also can overload the fridge's system and shut the whole thing down, causing you to either buy a new fridge or call a repairman.
  
  

Lower the Energy Settings

• Every fridge has a thermostat near the back that allows you to control how cold you would like the inside to be. The best setting is typically slightly below the middle temperature. Go lower if you can stand it.
  
  

Keep the Fridge Stocked

• Keeping the fridge full of food has a lot to do with energy efficiency. When your fridge is nearly empty, it has to circulate more cold air to keep the empty inside at the right temperature. When your fridge is full of food, the food will retain that cold temperature, cooling the inside itself rather than making the fridge's motor do all the work.
  
  

Pay Attention to the Temperature of Food

• If you want to thaw a piece of meat or a bag of vegetables, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. The temperature of the frozen food will cool the inside of the fridge without the appliance having to do it itself.
  
  Conversely, if you thaw frozen food in the fridge, you don't want to put warm food in the fridge. Let your recently cooked meal cool completely on the stove before sealing it up so it doesn't heat up the interior of your fridge.
  
  

Put the Fridge in a Cool Spot

• Since the refrigerator's job is to stay cold, it would not make sense to put the fridge near a sunny window or heater. Position the fridge in a cool, dark corner. This will keep the outside of the machine from warming up and turning on.
  
  

Keep the Fridge Maintained

• A well-functioning refrigerator is a more efficient refrigerator. Pay attention to your fridge. Check to make sure ice isn't piling up in the freezer (a sign the defroster has broken), keep your condenser coils clean and listen for how often the machine runs. Repair or replace any poorly functioning parts if necessary.