EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Winter fridge assist

Piwoslaw · 01-03-11, 01:38 PM

Ha! This has crossed my mind, but I decided it's not worth it. Why? Because, even though it will reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator uses, it will increase your global (whole house) energy usage. By putting the water jugs outside to cool down you are removing heat from inside the fridge. But, you are removing that heat from you house too, so your heating system will have to compensate.

Until I realised this, I would sometimes put food outdoors to cool down before putting it in the fridge. Now I do that only when the house doesn't need to be heated.

So, I think you may see a reduction in refrigerator energy usage, and yes, I think the jugs may start to leak after a while, but 5-10 freeze cycles should be OK. But your heating system will also need to work more, though that will be much harder to measure.

01-03-11, 01:38 PM	#4
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	Ha! This has crossed my mind, but I decided it's not worth it. Why? Because, even though it will reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator uses, it will increase your global (whole house) energy usage. By putting the water jugs outside to cool down you are removing heat from inside the fridge. But, you are removing that heat from you house too, so your heating system will have to compensate. Until I realised this, I would sometimes put food outdoors to cool down before putting it in the fridge. Now I do that only when the house doesn't need to be heated. So, I think you may see a reduction in refrigerator energy usage, and yes, I think the jugs may start to leak after a while, but 5-10 freeze cycles should be OK. But your heating system will also need to work more, though that will be much harder to measure. __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.