Refrigerators

One major way that you can save on household energy use and cost is by replacing your old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR qualified model. In fact, ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards, and 40% less energy than earlier conventional models. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators and freezers are available in diverse configurations so that you don’t have to sacrifice the features you desire.

Whether you use a standard or ENERGY STAR qualified model, you can reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator or freezer uses by:

Placing your refrigerator away from a heat source like an oven, dishwasher, or direct sunlight.

Making sure the door seals are air tight.

Allowing air to circulate around the condenser coils, and leaving a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer, and keeping the coils clean.

Keeping your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees °F and your freezer at °F, and minimize the amount of time the refrigerator is open.

If you must have a second refrigerator and you don’t always use it, make sure that it is stored with the power off and door left ajar, until it is actually required.

Be sure to recycle your old or second refrigerators through initiatives like Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program. SCE will not only pay you $50 for your old working refrigerator and freezer, the company will transport your appliances for free to a recycling center where metals and refrigerants are removed in an environmentally safe manner.
To learn more about this program, call 1 (800) 234-9722, or visit www.sce.com  (Residential, Rebates & Savings, Appliances). Indian Wells residents can also schedule a free appliance pick up from Burrtec. For details, call (760) 340-2113.