The In’s and Out’s of Green Living Refrigeration
Refrigerators could be seen as the green centre of the parallel universe. They harbor and preserve the essential goodness for sustaining life; left-overs’, pizza, beer, and dog food! Over two thirds of what you eat at home passes through hallowed doors of your fridge.
Over half of the recyclable trash in your bin has passed from the inside onto the outside of the refrigerator. This is inside out. The refrigerator door is also the second door that you open, after your front door – although this could also be vice-versa. So much of you (in the holistic sense) lives inside your fridge.
By adhering to the following four simple disciplines; outside, inside, outside-in, and inside to outside (no we are not trying to cause confusion), you can keep your universe green living, simply by making your fridge more green. Basically; as your refrigerator keeps your food cool, you need to keep your refrigerator cool.
Outside
Your fridge needs to be permanently standing in a cool place, out of any harsh and direct sunlight. If it isn’t, then draw the drapes. Also, it should not be placed next to any other immediate sources of heat, such as ovens, stoves, or dishwashers (electrical or not).
Those spiraling coils found at the back of the fridge should be regularly cleaned (dusted ’n wiped with a damp cloth). They are responsible for keeping it cool by transferring heat from the inside, to the outside, of the fridge. Keeping them clean enables them to work more effectively. In old refrigerators which are badly due for a clean, energy consuming can as much as 30% more.
Inside
Keeping your fridge full is very important with regard to keeping it cool. When the door is open, the cold air escapes, and warm air enters; exchanging places, thereby raising the inside temperature. Storing enough groceries? Prevent this tendency towards rapid air circulation by storing bottles of water – this is an inexpensive solution.
Make sure that the items inside the fridge are also not bunched together too much; you want the air to be able to circulate inside. Hot food should also not ever be placed inside your refrigerator – obviously, it will warm-up temperatures inside.
Letting the Outside-In
Every time that you leave your refrigerator door open, even for just one minute, the average energy consuming reciprocation is approximately three minutes (!), in order for it to cool down to it’s previously set temperature again.
From Inside to Outside
“Recycling” as we are aware, was and still is the buzz-word of the 90’s, in other words it is relevant! From your fridge you can directly dispense all categorized materials: organic, paper glass and plastic, into their own separate piles.
Much of the average domestic refrigerators carbon foot print is inside-out. However, greening this domestic appliance has become so important that you can even catch tax breaks from it.
There is nothing inside-out about this ideology and the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, has also been dubbed “Cash for Clunkers”. This program has officially started, but it also depends where you live.
There is $300 million in federal stimulus money being bandied about, but the money for Energy Star rated appliances will run out fast, so find out what the deal is in your state now, before it’s too late.
About the Author
Lennie Appelquist is the owner of FreeMarket Media Group, a web development company and a regular contributor to the Green Living blog at Livingreen.com.
