If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1993, it’s time for a new one.  “But my fridge works fine,” you say.  It may work fine but it is costing you and the environment. You can buy a new fridge and recover the costs in short order—newer models take less energy to run than a 75-watt light bulb.  You might even consider buying a new fridge if your fridge was purchased before 2001.  There has been another dramatic jump in energy savings in the post-2001 models.  Make certain that your new refrigerator bears the Energy Star Label.  Energy savings vary, however, even among fridges with the Energy Star label; so do your green homework.

The type of model that you buy also makes a difference.  The old style top-freezer, manual-defrost models will save you 40 percent over side-by-side refrigerator-freezer model. Don’t like the look?  Think retro.  Also, smaller fridges cost more to run (on a per-volume basis) than a larger fridge.   One large refrigerator is definitely preferable to two small refrigerators.  By the way, that fridge in your garage with just a few items in it needs to go.

The newer, more energy-efficient refrigerators turn on and off less.  They run more quietly and release less heat into your home.  The increased insulation, more efficient compressors, and tighter door seals and gaskets keep the newer models from being the energy hogs of the past.

Next to air conditioning, your furnace and water heater, refrigeration is the largest energy consumer in your home.  Move your refrigerator to the top of your appliance replacement list and reap the benefits.  If you’re building or rebuilding, you have tons of options.  Check ‘em out…

Here are some energy-efficient refrigerator ideas:

Sun Frost Refrigerators

Consumer Reports, Greener Choices

Panasonic vacuum-panel-insulated refrigerator

Environmentally friendly innovations