Is Your Refrigerator A Cash Guzzler?

In order for a refrigerator to work it requires energy, and with the price of energy it makes sense to use an appliance that wastes as little energy during operation as possible. Food is refrigerated in order to either slow down bacteria growth or stopping it completely. Some foods do not pose a great inconvenience or are ruined when stored at the freezing temperature of 0 degrees F, -18 degrees C, which is why they can be economically stored in freezers. However, for those that cannot withstand this temperature, the ideal refrigeration level is between 35 to 38 degrees F, 1.7 to 3.3 degrees C, to slow the growth rate of bacteria.

Bacteria can double in numbers as frequently as every 20 minutes when the food is allowed to be stored at a temperature range of 10 to 60 degrees. Therefore, storing food at the ideal temperature range not only decreases the chances of food poisoning and/or spoiling, but also helps save you money.

The EPA mandated in 2008 that in order for a new refrigerator to be able to receive an Energy Star rating, it had to operate at a level of at least 20% below the federal minimum standard. This means that appliances made from 2008 to the present can consume 50% less energy than a model of comparable size made 15 or more years ago. In other words, the energy efficient refrigerator will give the consumer some recuperation of his or her investment almost immediately and over time it will be completely recuperated in the form of lower energy bills.

Running the new refrigerator at the ideal temperature settings will also improve the shelf life of perishable food items. As mentioned earlier, food spoils due to bacteria growth. Therefore, if individuals try to save money by running their unit at a temperature above the ideal range, then they greatly increase their risk of food poisoning or having to throw away larger quantities of food due to spoilage. In addition, trying to store items in the freezer that do not fare well in those temperatures or lowering the temperature for frozen items often times results in freezer burn. This also forces the food to be thrown away before it can be consumed wasting all the money spent on the food.

When deciding whether or not to buy a new refrigerator consider the age of the one that will be replaced. If the old one is more than 10 years old, then it is time to start looking for a new one. This investment will not only pay off for the individual who is purchasing the appliance in the form of lower energy bills, but also for the environment as a whole. The less energy that is need to maintain the freshness of food for the nation the smaller the carbon footprint is for everyone.

Lucy Makarov writes for Euroline Steel Windows and Doors, a manufacturer of elegant, custom steel windows and doors for homes. Visit their website today to view a photo gallery of their work.