Freezer

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Your House > Kitchen > Freezer

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Freezer

Freezer

For some people, a fridge with a freezer is all that is needed for their frozen food. However, for households with more than 1 or 2 people, a larger freezer may be required. Stand alone freezers are available in 3 different types – upright, chest and compact. The type and size of freezer you purchase will affect your energy consumption.

Regardless of what type you purchase, ENERGY STAR freezers will be the most energy efficient. In order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label a compact freezer must exceed the minimum regulated standard by 20%, where as standard sized freezers must surpass regulated standards by only 10%.

Upright freezers look similar to stand alone fridges in that they are tall and have a door that opens from the front.

Chest freezers are longer than they are tall and have a door that opens from the top. Chest freezers tend to be more energy efficient than upright freezers because doors on upright freezers allow more cold air to escape when opened.

Compact freezers are smaller versions of their larger counterparts. A compact freezer is any freezer than has an overall height less than 91.4 cm (36”) or a refrigerated volume less than 219.5 L (7.75 cu. Ft.). Compact freezers are available in both chest and upright models.

The newest freezers on the market use approximately 40% less energy than those found in today’s average household. Freezers manufactured in 2004 use less than half the electricity of those manufactured 15 years ago. Given that the average lifespan of a freezer is 21 years; your old freezer could be costing you more money in electricity than purchasing a newer, more energy efficient model.

Freezer Tips

Keep freezer in area with a consistent temperature Chest freezers should be located in areas that maintain a consistent temperature year round. The area should also be dry, heated and insulated. This means that areas such as a porch, cold room or garage are poor locations for freezers, as they will operate less efficiently.	Freeze food in small volumes Freezers are not designed to handle mass volumes of fresh food to be frozen. A typical freezer can freeze approximately 5 kg per 100 litres of space (3 lb. per cubic foot) in a 24 hour period. Freezing in greater volumes overworks the freezer and not only increases energy consumption, but also lowers the life expectancy of the freezer.
Spread packages out when freezing In addition to freezing the proper volumes, the way in which you freeze your food also can impact on the amount of energy your freezer uses. When freezing unforzenIn addition to freezing the proper volumes, the way in which you freeze your food also can impact on the amount of energy your freezer uses. When freezing unfrozen goods, spread them out evenly in your freezer. Once they are frozen, group them together closely. This makes it easier to freeze new goods completely and keep frozen goods frozen. goods, spread them out evenly in your freezer. Once they are fozen, group them together closely. This makes it easier to freeze new goods completely and keep frozen goods frozen.	Make sure seals are clean and tight Check the seals around the doors of your fridge, freezer and oven to make sure they are tight. They should be able to hold a piece of paper or money tightly. If you pull it out easily, you will need to replace the seals. Another way to check this is to place a flashlight inside. If you can see light, the seals need replacing. Damaged seals will allow heat or cold to escape from the appliance.
Defrost your freezer regularly Defrost your freezer at least once a year to ensure optimum efficiency. Build up of ice and frost can place stress on the various components of the refrigerator, causing them to run more often than necessary and making them prone to malfunction.	Set your freezer to optimal operating temperature To maximize your freezer's efficiency and food safety, set the temperature to -18°C (0°F).
Keep your freezer away from heat sources When possible, locate your freezer as far away from heat sources as possible. Locating a freezer near a heat source will cause the freezer to work extra hard and consume more energy to maintain its temperature. It should also be located 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) away from the wall to allow air to circulate.	Look for the ENERGY STAR Label When buying new, look for ENERGY STAR products to ensure optimal energy savings.