Quote:
Originally Posted by AC_Hacker
But the relationship is not linear, because area increases at roughly a square function, and volume increases at roughly a cubic function... and heat loss is proportional to area.
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You are right with large numbers to focus on the exponents, but consider e.g. a rectangle that is elongated in height by 50%:
The surface area increases from
2xy + 2xh + 2yh to
2xy + 3xh + 3yh
While the volume increases from xyh to 1.5xyh.
Not that far off from linear in this range.
By the way, what is the temperature gradient in your fridge from bottom to top ? I'm wondering if extra external insulation on the top of the fridge would have much of an effect.