Home: Refrigerator buying guideline - Energy saving?
Q: How do you choose your fridge ?Q: What fridge is energy saving?
- We did survey among friends & sales person when purchase fridge and surprisingly the energy saving concept varies. some even said bottom freezer save energy.
- It's the best to follow the requirement from Energy Star by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
Energy saving fridge requirement:
- Require to have energy star certification by US, top freezer design, size limited to 453-566L.
- Compare the energy star/ energy efficiency rating of the product model on energy star website to determine the best model.
Is the fridge really energy saving?:
- Check on Energy STAR certification
- ENERGY STAR certified fridge is 9% more energy efficient than models that meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.
- most famous brands in Malaysia only stated save more energy but not being certified by energy star.
- Top freezer> Bottom freezer>Side-by-side freezer
-ENERGY STAR certified top-freezer: ~360 kWh or $45 a year to run.
-ENERGY STAR certified bottom freezer: ~560 kWh or $70 a year to run.
-ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side freezer:~ 630 kWh or about $75 a year to run - top-freezer refrigerator with ENERGY STAR uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb
Best size to save energy?:
- 16-20 cubic feet. (453-566L)
- the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption.
Top freezer refrigerators:
- great for simplicity, convenience, energy saving but often don't include the space-saving and high-tech features.
- Best choice if energy efficiency & budget are priority concern.
Top freezer Pros:
- more energy efficient
- generally cheaper
- probably won’t win any design awards
- most top freezers are just wide open space
- not for heavy freezer-user. Frozen food tends to be very unorganized and slip out off the fridge when it's overloaded.
Bottom freezer refrigerators:
- great for classy elegant and high-tech feature but less energy efficient & more pricey.
- Best choice if organizing space, design and high tech feature are priority concern.
Bottom freezer Pros:
- puts the fridge at eye level
- built-in organizers, can have pull-drawer style, organizing baskets or shelves to keep everything in order
- for heavy freezer-user with larger freezer section at the bottom of fridge and allow easier access to frozen food.
- Typically with more high-tech features like auto ice maker, water dispenser
- More to classy and elegant designer fridge.
Bottom freezer Cons:
- less energy efficient (compressor located at bottom of fridge, it generates heat and require more energy for cooling)
- generally more expensive
For home appliances purchase, you really have to rate your requirements and you'll find the best design for yourself. We bought bottom freezer because of the high tech features, elegant design, organizing space & large size (750L). There's no US energy star certification & just energy saving feature as the size is way beyond the typical energy saving size (453-566L).
-the information provided is based on personal experiences & reference materials during purchase
Credits :
https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/refrigerators?qt-consumers_product_tab=2#qt-consumers_product_tab
https://energystar.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211439598-What-s-more-energy-efficient-a-refrigerator-with-a-top-mounted-freezer-bottom-mounted-freezer-or-a-side-by-side-
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