by Matt McCormack

Created on: July 02, 2007   Last Updated: January 16, 2008

Whether you like it or not, your refrigerator is most likely to be the single largest power consumer in your house. You could be spending anything up to $100 a year to power your fridge. Even if you own an energy efficient fridge you might be running it in a wasteful way. Here are 10 simple things you can do to save some money on the next dreaded power bill,

1. Leave sufficient space around the sides and back for ventilation (read manual for recommended distance) so the cooling systems at the back to work effectively. Restricting ventilation can increase energy costs by 15%.

2. Defrosting is very important as ice prevents airflow and can waste electricity. Now if you're like me and hate defrosting and let icebergs form in the freezer, think about getting a frost free fridge/freezer. There are now some new models that are just as efficient as a standard fridge

3. Replacing worn-out and damaged air-seals on refrigerators doors will prevent cool air from escaping. These rubber seals are unfortunately not designed to last, so if you've had the same fridge for the last 8 or more years, have them checked out.

4. Don't keep your fridge excessively cool - between 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit (3- 4 Degrees Celsius) is fine and well within acceptable food handling standards. Freezer should be between -38 and -42 Degrees Fahrenheit (-15C to -18C). A changing of 1 degree can increase consumption by up to 5%.

5. Store your fridge in a cool area away from direct sunlight as well as sources of heat such as stoves and ovens.

6. Never put hot food into the fridge. This not only wastes power, it can also be dangerous, especially if high risk foods such as chicken or fish get heated to unsafe temperatures.

7. Occasionally clean off dust from the metal cooling bars at the back of the fridge. It will help your fridge perform!

8. Keep your fridge and freezer full; this helps it retain a cool temperature. Cooling packs or just water jugs will do if you can't keep it full.

9. Switch off additional features in your fridge such as the ice maker, when you are not using them. Ice makers increase the purchase price and power consumption by 10-20%

10. Buy a high rating Energy Star fridge - The more stars the more electricity you save. Don't make the most regrettable mistake of buying a cheap inefficient fridge. You will only end up paying back the money you though you saved at the shop to the power company instead. An energy efficient fridge can save as much as $65 and more each year compared to an inefficient one of the same size.

Following these 10 steps will ensure that your fridge will be performing at its maximum efficiency. Remember energy ratings on fridges are ideal performances, if you want your fridge to be working at its top performance you need to look after it.

Learn more about this author, Matt McCormack.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.