Food often does not last long because the temperature in the refrigerator or freezer is not right. To maintain them optimally and achieve some energy savings, find out the ideal temperature to adopt in the winter!
How to reduce energy consumption in the winter?
Kitchen Appliances – Source: spm
Some appliances are essential in any kitchen. Among them, we find the refrigerator, which is admittedly the largest consumer of electricity, since it must remain connected to electricity at all times. In some cases, it can account for up to a third of a home’s electricity consumption. Do we have to pay the full price? not necessarily. Because, for those who don’t know, there are some tips and tricks that can help you save as much on your electric bill as possible.
First of all, when buying a new refrigerator, you should always look at its energy efficiency: unlike other models, some models have a good relationship between price and energy consumption, which is more profitable in the long run. You’ve no doubt noticed that energy class labels have changed to make it easier for consumers to choose: they’re now moving from A to G, knowing that Class A is the most economical and Class G is the class that consumes the most.
On the other hand, specialists recommend cleaning and defrosting the refrigerator regularly. If your machine has a freezer compartment, pay attention to the layer of ice on the inner walls, as this forces the engine to work even harder. Therefore, the refrigerator will consume more energy. Note that frost also forms when you tend to cool the appliance too much: that is why it is important to always check the thermostat and control the temperature inside. Likewise, continuous vents can cause temperature fluctuations and force the refrigerator to draw more power!
In addition, it is also good to know that the temperature varies from rack to rack. For example, in the refrigerator, it is recommended to keep the rest of the cooked food, dairy products and meat dishes in the lower zone and the central part, because it is colder there.
Refrigerator: What is the ideal temperature in cold weather?
Adjusting the refrigerator temperature – Source: spm
Why is defrosting so necessary? The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) explains that just three millimeters of frost on the walls of the device can increase consumption by 30%.
Here are some tips to avoid the formation of frost in your device, especially the temperature at which you should adjust your refrigerator in winter:
- The first tip: open the refrigerator door as little as possible, because the more warm air from the outside gets in, the more likely it is that moisture will get on the walls, condense and form ice.
- Always make sure the door is closed properly. If the rubber bands for the walls are damaged, they must be repaired. Because if the door is not locked tightly, air will often enter, which will inevitably lead to the formation of layers of ice.
- In winter, always keep the refrigerator at +5 ° C and the freezer at -18 ° C. These are ideal temperatures for preserving your food and reducing energy consumption.
- Let the air circulate behind the appliance: Above all, do not stick the refrigerator completely against the wall so that the engine can ventilate properly.
- Avoid placing hot foods in the refrigerator as much as possible: It is best to wait until they have cooled to room temperature before storing them, because the evaporation of liquids by the action of heat will create more ice.
- Always place the refrigerator away from heat sources such as an oven, radiator, or a sunny location.
