Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
We would all like to purchase probably the most environmentally pleasant home equipment obtainable. But in actual life, vitality effectivity is just one of many components we have to take into account once we’re making main purchases. If you’re coping with a slim galley kitchen, residing in a tiny house, or coping with any variety of awkward kitchen configurations, the size of your new fridge is perhaps your high precedence.
Fortunately, if a counter-depth fridge is non-negotiable, there are extraordinarily environment friendly choices.
Refrigerator Efficiency
Energy effectivity is the first consideration when it’s time to buy a brand new fridge. If all fridges offered within the United States have been Energy Star licensed, the vitality price financial savings can be near $700 million annually, equal to taking greater than 870,000 autos off the street.
There are greater than 300 fridges on Energy Star’s 2021 Most Efficient record, however lots of them are already discontinued. Earth911 has identified the best options which are at the moment obtainable for buy. All of those are high freezer designs that reach past the depth of a regular counter.
Small Matters
It’s necessary to purchase the precise measurement fridge in your family. Overfull fridges function much less effectively. So do ones which are principally empty. And in case your fridge is larger than you want, you threat losing meals that will get pushed to the again and forgotten. A typical rule of thumb for fridge sizing is 6 cubic ft per particular person within the family. But if you’re superb at eliminating food waste, chances are you’ll want much less space for storing than the typical particular person, who wastes a 3rd of what they purchase.
Total vitality consumption typically will increase with measurement. But so does the per-cubic-foot effectivity. One giant Energy Star equipment is much less wasteful than two smaller fridges, particularly if one among them is previous. Don’t maintain a spare fridge within the basement or storage.
About Refrigerant
Refrigerators solely use a really small quantity of refrigerant. But the impact of the refrigerant on the ozone layer remains to be a consideration. This is measured as Global Warming Potential (GWP) relative to CO2, which is assigned a price of 1. As of January 1, 2021, new fridges will use R-600a (GWP of 5). However, the fridge you purchase in 2021 might have been manufactured within the earlier yr. For now, the one manner to make certain your new fridge makes use of R-600a is to test the sticker contained in the door. It ought to determine the refrigerant alongside the mannequin and serial quantity.
The Best Counter-Depth Refrigerators
The normal depth of kitchen counter tops within the U.S. is 25 inches. The following fashions vary in depth from 25.63 inches to 32 inches with the fridge door closed.
This 18.3 cubic-foot capability counter-depth fridge from Frigidaire makes use of 369 kWh/yr. As is common for probably the most environment friendly fridges, it doesn’t provide electricity-intensive extras like an icemaker or through-door dispenser. But it does have an auto-defrost operate, humidity-controlled crisper drawers, and a versatile inside storage system. It’s additionally obtainable in stainless steel.
Cabinet depth: 26 5/8 inches with the door closed; 57 inches with the door open 90 levels
Slightly cheaper and barely smaller than the earlier entry, at 18 cubic ft, this Frigidaire makes use of the identical quantity of vitality, 369 kWh/yr. It too has humidity-controlled crisper drawers, however the inside just isn’t as adjustable.
Cabinet depth: 30 1/8 inches with the door closed; 58 1/2 inches with the door open 90 levels
The 21 cubic-foot Kenmore supplies much more space for storing and makes use of commensurately extra vitality, about 393 kWh/yr. It’s an easy design with out numerous bells and whistles that has been obtainable constantly for years.
Cabinet depth: 32 inches with the door closed; 62 inches with the door open 90 levels
This large-capacity Kenmore is likely one of the few fridges with an icemaker to make Energy Star’s Most Efficient record. The 21 cubic-foot fridge remains to be not as environment friendly as others its measurement, although, utilizing 472 kW/yr.
Cabinet depth: 32 inches with the door closed; 62 inches with the door open 90 levels
If you’re prepared to sacrifice some space for storing in alternate for diminished vitality use, there are numerous slim, counter-depth fridges to select from. The largest of those is 28 inches large and affords 13 cubic ft of capability whereas utilizing solely 320 kWh/yr.
Cabinet depth: 25.63 inches with the door closed; 50.75 inches with the door open 90 levels
Responsible Refrigeration
No matter what fridge you purchase, attempt to recycle your previous one. Make positive the refrigerant is eliminated and correctly disposed of by a responsible service provider.
Refrigerators ought to be set to 35-38 levels Fahrenheit and freezers to 0 F. The fridge ought to be positioned away from warmth sources and inches away from the wall; don’t retailer stuff on high and clear the condenser coils a number of instances a yr. If the door seals lose their airtightness, substitute them.
Turn off additional options just like the icemaker and anti-sweat heater. Only retailer meals in closed containers to maintain the moisture ranges low. Keep the fridge three-quarters full and arranged. This will assist the fridge function extra effectively and make it easier to keep away from meals waste.
<!–
You Might Also Like…
–>
