Replacing your old fridge… an environmental gesture?

Refrigerators are among the domestic appliances that consume the most energy-between 25% to 30% of the total consumption without heating- and are, because of the freon they possess, big chemically harmful appliances to the environment.

On the energetic consumption side, it is evident that the older our refrigerator is the worst its performance is. And so, as an ecocitizen, what approach should you favour? Keeping your old refrigerator that consumes a lot of energy longer? Running to purchase the most recent model, more adequate, and clearly less energy-hungry despite that the process of making it requires a maximum of resources? This is a dilemma without any suitable answer that to these situations.

However, new refrigerators that consume 75% less energy than the ones made 25 years ago. This dazzling progress brings us to the conclusion that if you possess an appliance of more than fifteen years, it is more ecologically more advantageous to simply replace it. Thus, you will compensate a part of the costs of this new purchase by the marked decrease of your electricity bills.

Saving energy and money

The year 2000 was good for the development of ecoenergetic appliances. So if you own a refrigerator of 7 or 8 years of age, its performance won’t be perfect, but the effect on the environment won’t be too damageable if you keep it. Finally, the right choice to make if you have had your refrigerator from anywhere between 8 to 15 years isn’t as easy to determine. In this situation, it is up to you to take the decision and it will probably be mainly based on the budget you have for that. On the other hand, it would be wise to think that you will have to replace your appliance eventually and that you should perhaps start to consider other options.

The ENERGY STAR label is a good way to make sure that the model you are about to purchase will assuredly make you electricity bills smaller. If you consider the numbers given by the latter, replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 by an ENERGY STAR qualified model will save enough energy to light an average-sized house for four months.

That said, when you will do your shopping, remember that there are two kinds of price tags: the amount that you will pay to bring the appliance home and the amount that it will cost you to use it. So evaluate whether or not it is worth an appliance that is a bit more expensive but of a better quality, more high-performing, and that you will keep longer, rather than worrying about the saving you are making right now.

Some tricks to save

You will also be interested to know that some simple gestures can reduce the energy consumption of your refrigerator, and this, no matter how old it is:

• To place it the further away possible from warmth sources such as the oven or the dishwasher, or even direct sunbeams.
• Be sure that air can circulate around the condensator: leave a space between the wall, the cupboards, and the appliance.
• Verify that the door’s waterproof joint doesn’t let any air out.
• Keep the fridge’s temperature between 2° and 3° degrees Celsius (35°-38° Fahrenheit) and the freezer’s temperature at -18° degrees Celsius (0° Fahrenheit).
• Simply try to limit the number of times you open the doors.

How to get rid of your old refrigerator

To be a responsible citizen also means to get rid of your old fridge in an appropriate way for the environment. Nothing has been easier ever since many collecting programs exist accordingly to the country or the region in which you live. All Quebec residents are eligible to the RECYC-FRIGO ENVIRONNEMENTMD program created by Hydro-Quebec. The RECYC-FRIGO troup goes to your dwelling for free to pick up appliances that still work, but that are aged of 10 years or more. An incentive of 60$ is even sent by mail to citizens using this service! For more information on this program, visit the official website: http://www.recyc-frigo.com .

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