Asheville NC Custom Builder tells why Refrigerators are Energy Hogs and How to Save

In a typical home, the refrigerator accounts for about 8% of the total annual energy expense, according to 2005 data from the U.S. Department of Energy. While this energy consumption for food storage is significant, it’s far less than it was a few decades ago. In the mid-1970s, an average new refrigerator used about 1,800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, making it the single most expensive energy load in many homes. The maximum electricity consumption for a typical 19-cubic-foot top-freezer model works out to about 500 kWh/year. With side-by-side refrigerator-freezers that maximum consumption is a lot higher. Energy Star refrigerators use at least 20% less energy than the federal limit. Both the federal energy performance standards and Energy Star requirements have been tightened periodically since those programs were first launched.

So, if you have an old fridge, chances are pretty good that it’s an energy hog and you could save a lot of energy by replacing it. To find out how much electricity your existing fridge is using, buy or borrow an electricity monitor, plug your fridge into it for a week or two, then calculate the annual usage. When building a new home, buyers should closely look at the Energy Star ratings on all appliances and products going into that new home for maximum lifetime energy savings. Advantage Development Co. Is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC building fine homes for two decades. John Green, the company co-owner understands energy conservation as he is a degreed engineer and worked extensively with the U.S. Department of Energy on many cutting edge projects and has many case studies published. Come visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ and learn more about us.