Due to a computer glitch (and Blogger's AutoSave feature) the Change The World Wednesday post, which I spent several hours writing, has disappeared. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to recreate it so we won't be doing a recap this week. I do apologize!
Let's jump right into this weeks challenge:
Refrigerators use a lot of energy. We can minimize their impact by making sure they operate efficiently. So this week let's do a little refrigerator maintenance. Here you go:
Check that your refrigerator is level ... the door should automatically swing shut instead of staying open. Check the seal on the door ... try closing it on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, it's time to replace the gaskets. Check the back of your refrigerator to be sure that it's clean ... vacuum coils if you have them to ensure that the compressor runs efficiently. How full is your refrigerator? Be sure that it isn't too full ... allow room for cool air to circulate which will keep everything at the right temperature.
Or ...
If you are already diligent at keeping your refrigerator in tip-top condition, please tell us about another electrical device that could run more efficiently with a little "TLC".
Until next time (complete with the week's recap of your posts, tweets & comments) ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
Ugh (((HUGS))) it's really sucky that you lost all your hard work; so sorry to hear that :(
ReplyDeleteBut that you from the bottom of my heart for all your wonderful support and encouragement during zero waste week; you have no idea how much it meant to me :)
I will be checking out my fridge and continuing with last weeks challenge too!
ReplyDeleteCTWW is up and running on
ReplyDeletehttps://ecocrap.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/change-the-world-wednesday-14th-sep/
Read about my nemesis...
V
Great ideas/tips... this is something so easy and everything makes a impact!
ReplyDeleteAww, sorry about your computer glitch. My refrigerator is relatively new (its 15 year old predecessor had been behaving erratically for months before we gave in) and is Energy Star rated. I'm not always great about maintenance, though, so I hope this will remind me to check the coils and gaskets in another few months!
ReplyDeleteMy electric stove top is original to the house, and as such, probably horribly inefficient. I try to maximize efficiency by using the right size pot on the right burner and putting lids on pots, but at some point, it will probably have to be replaced.
Oh, I hate those computer glitches! This one challenge I really think I need to do. I am not sure when the last time I checked the back of the fridge. :(
ReplyDeleteHere I go...
will check out my fridge!
ReplyDeleteOoh, and I was able to do a post today even!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.almostallthetruth.com/2011/09/clean-out-the-fridge-to-save-energy-and-money/
I have heard experts saying to fill up the fridge to save power, because less coldness will escape when you open the door. Yet others tell to say don't fill them up. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteThis week, I post on teaching children to save money.
Hi Ann ... it's a good question. I've read that the refrigerator needs air circulation to efficiently keep foods cold ... so it's better not to overfill it. On the other hand, the freezer doesn't need that air circulation and benefits from being a bit fuller. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question, Ann!
This was so on my list for this month! I want to clean it right out so might as well do some spring cleaning on the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I try my best to keep out fridge clean and running good. I also work at keeping our dryer that way also because it is another big energy hog! You should make sure that your dryer is vented properly and clean the lint filter after every load! A dirty lint screen can make your dryer use up to 30% more energy!!
ReplyDeleteGood post, your work you 'lost' should be recoverable from your database easily enough :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mat - would love to know how if you don't mind sharing. From what I could tell, it was extremely labor-intensive to find the cached file. I spent a LOT of time looking but never found it ... actually never found a file that wasn't just a lot of code. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - systematically checking all the systems in our house should be an ongoing thing. It's easy to let the fridge go by! Lucky for me, when I checked, it was level, tight, not too crowded ... and I'd already vacuumed the coils when I got the shop vac out a few weeks ago(! what fun!!)
ReplyDeleteI took the libert of posting mostly to encourage people to Vote For Small Footprints! - truly a worth article!
Thanks for the prompt to do this. I really shouldn't need reminding, but...
ReplyDeleteHere's my blog post on the subject.
The fullness of my fridge depends on how recently I went shopping, but I did look up answers to the question of full vs. empty, and the general consensus seems to be: Keep it pretty full so there's not a lot of cold air falling out every time you open the door, but not packed so full that air can't circulate. The Straight Dope explains it in his usual entertaining style.
Another thing I do is try to remember to take things out of the freezer the day before I need them, then defrost in the fridge. This helps lower the temperature so the fridge doesn't have to work so hard.