How much does a refrigerator consume and how to save on your bill
We don't usually think about it, but the refrigerator works 24 hours a day... and not all models are the same
ROME – The refrigerator is a household appliance that was introduced relatively recently, starting from the 1950s to be precise. Until that time people used to preserve food using ice and snow. Usually we don’t think about it, but the refrigerator works 24 hours a day, so it is important to also think about its consumption. Not all models are the same and are different based on various factors: from the type of installation to aesthetics, energy class, power and several other elements. In this article we see how to calculate the consumption of a refrigerator and choose the most suitable one for you. In this article we will see how to calculate the consumption of your refrigerator and choose the most suitable one for you.
THE MAIN REFRIGERATOR CATEGORIES BASED ON INSTALLATION
The refrigerator is available in two main types. The first is represented by built-in refrigeratorsand is characterized by the fact of be a sort of tailor-made solution, since the installation is done inside a piece of furniture that reflects its size and shape. The device, in this case, is equipped with grills positioned on the plinth located in the underlying part, so as to prevent the mechanism from overheating. During the kitchen design phase it is important to ensure sufficient ventilation for the appliance to work properly. There is another type of refrigerator and it is the freestanding one. These are appliances that can be placed in any corner of the kitchen and even the house. With the same size, free-standing refrigerators are more spacious than built-in ones. From an aesthetic point of view, free-standing refrigerators allow you to personalize and characterize the kitchen, emerging as a design element. As regards consumption, there are no differences between built-in and free-standing fridges. The parameters depend more than on the type of installation on other factors, which should always be considered when choosing as they are transversal.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH A FRIDGE CONSUMES?
There are many elements to keep in mind when you want to know how much a refrigerator consumes. We talk above all about the power, expressed in watts, and the energy class. It is on them that the sustainability of the appliance and its consumption mainly depend. To contain the cost of the bill, therefore, the best thing is to choose a latest generation model capable of being in line with the best standards in the sector. It is also advisable to consider your habits when purchasing a refrigerator. For example, those who spend long periods away from home can benefit from the “Eco” or “Holiday” functions present in many latest generation refrigerators. The average consumption of a refrigerator is between 100 and 240 watts per hour (Wh), for a total of approximately 1/2 kW per day. It is an indicative range and as such it is easy to exceed it in versions that have less recent production. As regards the energy class, solutions in class A are preferable, as they are equipped with cutting-edge technologies for energy saving, capable of significantly reducing consumption . There are also some correct habits that can be adopted to save on the costs generated by a refrigerator. Furthermore, filling the refrigerator correctly is essential to maximize energy efficiency and ensure optimal food preservation. It is then good practice to carry out timely maintenance of the device, based on what is reported in the user manual. Finally, it is essential to set the thermostat to an optimal temperature, between 3 and 5°C for the refrigerator and no lower than -18°C for the freezer compartment. Otherwise the appliance could consume too much energy or not work properly.