KEY POINTS:
DEFROST REGULARLY
Especially when ice is 3-5mm thick. A frosted-up freezer uses more energy.
LOCATION IS EVERYTHING
Install your fridge in a cool spot away from boilers, ovens and radiators, with a gap of at least 6cm for air to circulate behind it. The cool location could cut CO2 emissions by 150kg a year.
SPRING CLEAN
Keep the coils at the back of your fridge or freezer dust-free. This will improve its efficiency by up to 30 per cent.
CHECK THE TEMPERATURE
Fridges don't need to be any cooler than 3-5C and freezers do the job at -15C. Any colder and they're wasting energy and your money. Invest in a fridge/freezer thermometer if there isn't one built in.
CHECK THE DOOR SEAL
By putting a piece of paper in the door. If it slips out when the door's closed you may need to change the seal and/or door magnets to stop cool air escaping.
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Before you go away, make sure your fridge is as empty as possible. If there are things that will last until you get back, turn the power down to chill these few items. Otherwise turn the fridge off completely.
TAKE IT OUT OF CIRCULATION
When you're replacing a decrepit fridge or freezer, don't pass it on - it will only guzzle more energy. Send it to be dismantled by an approved recycler.
