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What should I look for when buying a refrigerator?
Purchase an appropriately sized refrigerator. Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 16-20 cubic feet.
Consider purchasing a refrigerator with a top freezer. Models with the freezer on top tend to use the least energy (versus bottom freezers or side-by-sides).
Consider buying a refrigerator with fewer doors. Fewer doors reduce the air leakage. To maximize your savings, minimize the number of doors and pay attention to cool air you can feel when you shut the doors. Make sure the seals around the doors are airtight. If they are not, replace them.
Consider selecting a refrigerator with a lower Global Warming Potential refrigerant Refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) for refrigerators include R-600a and R-441A. Selecting an ENERGY STAR certified model with a lower GWP refrigerant means your product will have a much lower impact on the climate if the refrigerant is released into the environment. The GWP compares the warming power of a substance to an equivalent amount of CO2 (GWP = 1 for CO2). Some refrigerants are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are powerful greenhouse gases with GWPs hundreds or thousands of times higher than CO2. Select the filter below to find refrigerators that contain refrigerants with a lower impact on global warming.
Consider replacing your old fridge and recycling your old second refrigerator. Refrigerators over 15 years old could be costing you more than $80 per year to run. If you need a second refrigerator year-round, replace the old one with a new ENERGY STAR certified. Make sure you keep your fridge in an ambient temperature of 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, an old refrigerator uses about 35% more energy than a model that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
Recycle your old refrigerator. If you buy a new refrigerator, be sure to recycle your old one. Many appliance retailers will pick up and recycle your old refrigerator when you purchase a new one.
Follow these guidelines to reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator uses.
Refrigerator Best Practices
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient.
Products that are recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient deliver cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. They represent the very best for energy savings and environmental protection. Click the Most Efficient filter to find recognized models.