When you reach into your fridge to grab the milk for your cuppa, you probably don't even think about the temperature inside. But as it turns out, not having your fridge at the right temperature could be ramping up your energy bill. Keeping your fridge at the wrong temperature could be adding £50 to your bill. And even more important is to make sure its settings are correct considering it has to stay on 24 hours a day.
What temperature should your fridge be?
Experts recommend fridges to be between 2°C and 6°C and a freezer should be less than -18°C. But settings will vary between models, so it's worth checking the manual that came with yours if you aren't sure about the best setting. Having your fridge at its optimum temperature can help it run more efficiently and is a vital way of making sure that it isn't costing you more than it should. Setting the fridge temperature too high will result in it running at its full power output – and could even cause some food items to freeze. Setting it too low runs the risk of food going off.
How much money can you save?
You could be wasting £50 a year, based on the average fridge using 166kWh of energy to run for 12 months. Plus, you're pouring even more money down the drain if you're having to throw food away because it's been spoilt.
Tips to save money on running your fridge
1. Regularly defrost your fridge and freezer to keep ice under control and make sure everything is working efficiently.
2. Clean behind your fridge and freezer regularly to help keep them cool and working as efficiently as possible.
3. Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, especially on warm days, as this will cause the temperature to rise and your appliance will need to work harder to cool back down.
4. Keep your fridge as full as possible because it uses less energy when it's well stocked. You can also fill it with water bottles, which will do the job just as well and give you lots of cool drinks when it's hot.
In conclusion, by ensuring that your fridge is set at the correct temperature and following these simple tips, you can save £50 on your energy bill and prevent food wastage, ultimately reducing your expenses and being more energy efficient.
Read more:
– An appliance pro reveals how you could be adding £100 to your energy bill by keeping your fridge freezer in the wrong place.
– One savvy saver reveals how she saved £3,000 by organizing the food in her fridge.
