Greening a Home One Fridge (and Rebate) at a Time
by Union of Concerned Scientists on 11.13.06
The first in a series of entries for Treehugger on converting an old apartment into an eco-friendly one. In September I bought my first apartment--an aging one bedroom unit that is primed for an eco-friendly makeover. As a novice at home remodeling, the biggest thing I have going for me is that my work as a press secretary for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) gives me easy access to environmental experts and their research.
UCS's Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices explains that the refrigerator is the worst energy hog in a home, sucking up 1,383 kilowatt hours per year in a typical household. According to the Department of Energy, refrigerators use 14% of a household's electricity. That makes sense since a refrigerator is usually the only large appliance that's constantly in use.
Replacing my 60s and 70s-era appliances was already at the top of my to-do list. Aesthetically they just looked bad, and old appliances are significantly less efficient than contemporary ones, according to the Guide and elsewhere.
The Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR web site, a clearinghouse of information on energy efficient appliances, suggests that a fridge more than a decade old should be replaced. Mine was probably older than some of UCS's interns, but it still worked. Aesthetic concerns aside, the fact that the yellowing monstrosity still kept my food cold made me wonder if it made financial sense to replace it.
ENERGY STAR asserts that even an old but functional model is “dramatically” less efficient than new ENERGY STAR fridges. The site estimates that an average fridge built before 1993 costs $50 more to run per year than a new ENERGY STAR model; those in use before 1980 likely cost $150 more in utility costs. My fridge likely fell somewhere in between. With savings like that, a new fridge would easily pay for itself during its operational lifetime.
And if you're planning on buying a new refrigerator anyway, the lower operating costs of energy-efficient models can make up for their larger up-front costs in just a few years. The Kenmore model I purchased was $50 more than a similar model without the ENERGY STAR label. Pepco, the utility that serves DC, charges $.0803 per kilowatt hour. Annually I'll be using 72 kilowatt hours fewer with the ENERGY STAR model versus a conventional one, which will save me just under $6 a year.
ENERGY STAR will help you make the calculations.
Even without these long term savings, however, Washington, DC offers a generous $100 rebate on energy-efficient appliances which made an ENERGY STAR refrigerator cheaper than the alternatives to start with.
Next time, I'll tell you how I picked out a new refrigerator and followed in my colleagues' steps by cashing in on rebates for energy-efficient appliances.
I clicked on the link to read about refrigerators and found out the report is $15! How many people do they expect are really going to pay that much?
I searched the UCS site hoping I might find some useful info elsewhere but didn't (though I might have missed it, as I was rather confused by the site's chaotic organization). I even searched for refrigerators and found nothing.
What about using a smaller fridge? It seems sort of obvious to me...I suspect the American lifestyle doesn't suit this sort of thing, but there are plenty of smaller fridges out there as well.
If you buy a new fridge what do you do with the old one? If you sell it and it continues to run you aren't saving energy.
On the other hand, how much energy does it take to build and ship a new fridge? Digging ore, making steel, paint and chemicals, plastic, etc. Seems like that would be alot of energy, and a lot of the fridge components are made in places like China, resulting in a lot of pollution, plus all the shipping, etc.
Has anyone really looked deeper into this than just the electric bill you end up with?
Hi Jane.
The report is indeed not free (though you can read the first chapter online for free), but to be fair, it is a 304 pages book written by two PH.Ds and it's about a lot more than just fridges.
I just have to say, that picture makes me extremely anxious. I keep scrolling past it and thinking "Jeez! Someone should really close that fridge!"
UCS writer,
Are you in Wash DC? Within the next year I will be making similar upgrades to my DC area 1br condo and was curious if you have come across any contractors with eco-renovating experience (especially with green floors, cabinets, carpets, countertops. I eagerly await more posts from you.
What about using a smaller fridge? It seems sort of obvious to me...I suspect the American lifestyle doesn't suit this sort of thing, but there are plenty of smaller fridges out there as well.
Unfortunately, the smaller the fridge, the less efficient it is per unit of volume, since the ratio of surface area to volume increases the smaller a fridge gets. There's also a huge variation in efficiency among similar-sized fridges. If you look at the Energy Star website, the most efficient refrigerator for sale (Sun Frost R-19) has 16.14 cubic feet of interior space, using 36 fewer kWh per year than the 3rd most efficient refrigerator (Samsung SKR1373), which happens to have an interior volume about 1/4 the size of the Sun Frost.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.display_products_excel
Another way to improve the efficiency of new or old refrigerators is to replace the 25 watt incandescent bulbs with cooler cf bulbs, or, as I did, LED bulbs. Not only do they use less electricity, but they generate significantly less heat, which obviously improves the performance of a box designed to stay cold. My LEDs have kind of a futuristic blueish cast, which may not appeal to all, but I like it.
I hope that soon the new generation fridges will be built with complete recycling in mind (industrial nutrient, as in cradle to cradle). That's the problem with the old ones.
But since a fridge in on every day for years and years, it certainly is worth getting a more efficient one, unlike some things that aren't used nearly as much.
Here's another resource for the most efficient Fridges:
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topfridge.htm
I just replaced my fridge earlier this year. I really wanted a more energy efficient fridge but did not want all the bells and whistles of ice machine, water, tv's etc. I could not find a high efficiency fridge with out all the fluff.
On the other hand, how much energy does it take to build and ship a new fridge? Digging ore, making steel, paint and chemicals, plastic, etc. Seems like that would be a lot of energy, and a lot of the fridge components are made in places like China, resulting in a lot of pollution, plus all the shipping, etc.
Does it matter? You not buying a fridge will not cause 1 less to be made.
Does it matter? You not buying a fridge will not cause 1 less to be made.
... contrary to the whole notion of supply and demand.
Thanks as always for your "useful" insight.
I am looking at smaller fridges just to save room in my small city kitchen.
The usual big name brand fridges are huge, and the smaller ones are junky.
However there are a few nice european fridges on the market which are counter depth so they don't stick out, and narrower but taller so they are much more space efficient. They are beautiful!
However, these don't seem to have a energy rating. The Equator Conserv is meant to be super efficient but the extremely similar Summit CP-171SS (both are two compressor, non-defrost models) is not recommended for residencial use supposedly because of energy consumption (which sounds questionable to me).
Another complication is no one seems to carry these nice, small fridges so if I want one I might have to have it shipped - risky!
So sorry to go off track, but I hope write the refridgerator article you might touch on the smaller scale units which fit the smaller scale living many of us are enjoying. I want more room kitchen to used for living, not to house a big ugly box!
Another really nice fridge is made by Liebherr (again, not exactly a common brand). It is nice and they say effecient, though I don't see any rating on their website.
http://www.liebherr-appliances.com/products_cs1350.htm
"Does it matter? You not buying a fridge will not cause 1 less to be made."
That couldn't be less true. We control the marketplace. Companies can't make profits on things people aren't buying. That's why it is so important to consider what we consume. I personally feel I should follow my beliefs and consider all facets of consumption.
On the other hand, if more people bought the very nice european small fridges mentioned above, then the american companies would notice and build that style. Supply and demand.
Using your rather cynical thinking "buying a 1 will not cause 1 less to be made", why not buy an SUV?... after all, buying 1 will not cause 1 less to be made.
My fairly new, 18.2 cubic foot Frigidaire has averaged .84KWh a day over a 85 day time period. If you'd like to divide that over a 24 hour day, its like running a 35 watt light bulb. Its efficiency rating was nothing special, it does not have a front ice/water dispenser. At this rate my fridge looks like it would only use 306KWh a year.
In comparison, my computer with its 19" lcd, small set of speakers, and dsl modem is currently using 125W as I type, and stays right around there unless I'm doing something more intensive.
so that's 35Wh for keeping my food cold, or 125Wh to browse the net.. (yes I could get a laptop)
Um, John & Anonymous are on to a really important issue. The easiest way to make a difference is to BUY A SMALLER FRIDGE, often one that's not even Energy-Star.
Theoretical efficiency (in terms of kwh per cubic foot, say) is not what matters to the environment -- it's total consumption of energy. And for fridges made the same year, total consumption is more dependent on size than small differences in efficiency.
Energy Star is deceptive because it compares appliances of similar size -- whether you NEED that size or not. It will rate a monster fridge of 25 cubic feet as "efficient" when it uses 2 or 3 times the total energy of a standard apartment-sized fridge.
One fringe benefit of owning a smaller fridge (mine's 4.5 cubic feet!) is that you clean it out a lot more. No biology experiments in there. Just stuff you'd actually want to eat.
I understand supply and demand, but for every person who doesn't buy a product, 10 will. The whole argument of, "Digging the steel, processing it, shipping it, etc, etc" is fallacious. The steel will be mined and made no matter if the refrigerator is or not. And sometimes people are not in a situation where they really have a choice, like me. My fridge died I needed a new one rather quickly.
Okay, the way supply and demand works is that if, say, 5% of people don't buy new fridges, then there will be about 5% less demand for them and there will be about 5% less that are made.
I don't think it's so simple, but what do I know, I'm not an economist.
Well, yeah, it's not so simple mostly because the market is not perfect and not immediate in its reaction, but over time, that's pretty much what happens.
If you produce much more products than there is demand for it, you don't sell them and lose money, so there is an incentive to not make more than you need.
I understand supply and demand
No, you clearly do not.
The whole argument of, "Digging the steel, processing it, shipping it, etc, etc" is fallacious.
No, it is not.
The steel will be mined and made no matter if the refrigerator is or not.
No, it will not.
And sometimes people are not in a situation where they really have a choice, like me.
You have no choice? You live in North Korea?
My fridge died I needed a new one rather quickly.
Non sequitur -- irrelevant to the point at hand.
I don't think it's so simple, but what do I know, I'm not an economist.
Yet, strangely, you keep acting as if you do know.
Yet, strangely, you keep acting as if you do know.
Are you one? Whom ever you are you seem to know everything.
Non sequitur -- irrelevant to the point at hand.Not really, my point at hand was that I didn't have much time to shop around, or didn't want to live with out a fridge while searching for a inexpensive, efficient model.
The steel will be mined and made no matter if the refrigerator is or not.
No, it will not.
Really? How can you be so sure. If a refrigerator company does not buy the steel, some other place will, maybe it will go in a Prius. Have proof of your certainty?
Whom ever you are you seem to know everything.
No, I just know more than you, which isn't saying anything.
Not really, my point at hand was that I didn't have much time to shop around, or didn't want to live with out a fridge while searching for a inexpensive, efficient model.
No, the "point" you made is that not buying an object doesn't change things on the production end of things. Only after batting around that nonsense and getting shut down did you launch in with your non sequitur. All you're showing is that you live reactively and don't take care of the things you own.
Really? How can you be so sure.
Because if there were no feedback mechanisms (ie, knowing how much demand there is) then how would a producer know how much to make? This is absurdly obvious to pretty much everyone.
If a refrigerator company does not buy the steel, some other place will, maybe it will go in a Prius.
Tortured logic. You are confounding overall demand with marginal demand. Of course there are other uses for steel. Duh. But how much gets used depends on how much demand there is. If one person doesn't demand a refrigerator, that decreases the demand for steel by whatever amount would go into the fridge which wasn't bought. As many others have patiently pointed out to you, it is not a direct feedback, but rather an indirect one, but in time, supply meets demand.
Have proof of your certainty?
Yes - all established economics.
http://www.sundanzer.com/index.html
these chest type friges and freezers keep the cool in when you are standing there with the door open like it is TV screen
If every one consumes just because if they don't consume it, some else will, then we will be completely screwed.
If we believe in green ideals, then we should follow those ideas with actions, how we live.
Jiltedcitizen, surely you are flamebaiting, as no green person could really believe consumption doesn't matter. Consumption = pollution. Consumption does matter, maybe more than the actual use of the item. Jilted, you are seriously unimformed. I suggest you read "Cradle to Cradle", I think you might be enlightened.
I want to buy an new fridge as my current one is getting worn out. Thanks for the posts about the small, high quality fridges. I would be excited to have one of those cool fridges!!! I take buying a fridge seriously as I will be using it, and having it take up a good chunk of my kitchen for 20 years or more. These euro fridges actually look like they would be worth fixing when they broke, instead of throwing away.
I definitely don't want to be stuck buying a big crappy fridge loaded with features I don't want, like jiltedcitizen did. He probably bought an SUV the minute his car broke down, too :)
Don't forget the "golden carrot" SERP high effeciency refrigerator competition. Or the New York sponsored high effeciency small refrigerator small (apartment) refriderator.
http://eere.pnl.gov/femp/publications/SevenYearsSinceSERP.pdf
Whenever you are considering the replacement or procurement of a new refrigerator you should get the most energy efficient one possible.
A consortium of electrical utilities offered an incentive to refrigerator manufactures to produce the most energy efficient, mass-market refrigerator. This "SERP" or "Golden Carrot" refrigerator was to be marketed only in the consortiums regions, but the new technology has been applied across the board.
If you are in the market for energy efficient refrigerators don't forget to check out what's available under federal supply. Available from GSA is the Kitchenaid/Kenmore Refrigerator which was a "Golden Carrot" Winner. The 14-cf. model, which uses 1350 watts per day, is available with right hand swing doors NSN-4110-01-426-5860, or left hand NSN-4110-01-429-4496, for $494.86. The 20 cf. Kenmore Refrigerator uses 1600 watts per day, almost 1/2 of your normal refrigerator. The right hand swing NSN 4110-01-426-6005 or left hand 4110-01-426-5997 cost $607.60.
In the 18 cf. size range, the most efficient model from the Energy Star Web site is a General Electric, Model TBH18JAX or DAX which is available as an open market item for around $560.00, it is rated to use 518 kW per year (1420 watts per day).
For further information on GSA Appliance Marketing call Gail Allen at 816-926-2389.
Sunfrost
However if you are operating on renewable energy the most cost efficient refrigerator may be the Sunfrost RF-16 at $1,872.00, direct from the Manufacturer under the NPS 5% below wholesale pricing structure. (We get the same break on all products) Contact me for details. The 12 Volt model will operate on three 50 Watt photovoltaic panels, which can be purchased for $750.00 and run the refrigerator forever. Sunfrost makes a variety of refrigerators and freezers available in 12 or 24 Volt DC and 110 Volt AC. These units get their efficiency through innovative design, thick insulation and non-reliance on perks. They are basic refrigerated boxes, but have the ability to provide cold service in remote locations. There is nothing like the change in quality of life at the back country ranger station than to walk in, not have to light the propane refer and instead find something cold to drink awaiting you.
Sunfrost, PO Box 1101, Arcata, California, 95521, 707-822-9095
According to the Government Services Administration:
In the United States 26% of all electricity generated is used to operate refrigerators. The average domestic refrigerator consumes around three kilowatts of electricity per day.
amazing.
Has anyone seen this? The Equator ConServ Refrigerator, extremely efficient only $2.50 a month to run...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/appliances-small/the-conserv-refrigerator-001653
"UCS writer,
Are you in Wash DC? Within the next year I will be making similar upgrades to my DC area 1br condo and was curious if you have come across any contractors with eco-renovating experience (especially with green floors, cabinets, carpets, countertops. I eagerly await more posts from you."
John,
Sorry for the delayed response...yes, I'm in DC and am working with a DC contractor. E-mail me (erobinson @ ucsusa.org) and I'll put you in touch with the person I'm working with.
oinkoink, the fabulous ConServ is no longer sold by Equator (I don't even know if Equator is still in business) (Apartment Therapy talks about this). The Summit and Liebherr are almost identical.
But great news!!! I was on the Home Depot web site looking at fridges and the sell the Ventfrost fridge, which is same as the ConServe!! Made by the same campany that made the Conserv in Denmark. Cheaper, too! This is a fridge you could get really excited about. Super cheap to run, beautiful, small!!
If you just bought a normal, schlocky america fridge (like jilted did) you're missing out on one gorgeous refrigerator!
That thing can sit in my kitchen for the next 20 years and I'll be happy!
http://www.vestfrost.com/default.aspx
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&MID=9876&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&N=2984+4401&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&Ns=P_PRICE%7c0
also, if you are disposing of your old fridge, you should look into civic recycling programs. Often they will come pick up your old fridge. I also live a few blocks from one of the biggest appliance recyclers in the nyc area--in jersey city. now how to get one of the guys with the pickups on their way to the place to make an unscheduled stop....
Although old refrigerators are energy hogs, they are quite dependable - case in point, I bought my first refrigerator 24 years ago - it's your basic fridge w/ no bells or whistles, but heck - it still works - not taking up space in a landfill somewhere, not costing me a fortune in repair costs. My new, expensive, energy efficient fridge is less than 5 years old and has already required several hundred dollars in repairs. My repair man said that, unfortunately, new refrigerators are not as well made, and do break down more frequently. And, when they break, they are more expensive to repair because most use computers to regulate the temperature and defrost cycles (who thought computers in a damp, cold, humid environment was a good idea???)
The best way to keep any fridge as economical as possible is to keep it cleaned and filled, but not overfilled. Even if you don't have alot of food, you should put bottled water or something in it, as it will operate more efficiently. Refrigerators do not, in fact, cool the air in the fridge, they remove warm air. So, less empty space, more efficient operation.
Also, dusting/vacuuming the coils in the back will help the efficiency of older fridges. Also, any maintainance - unclogging defrost drain, for example, will extend the life of your fridge.
I believe keeping and maintaining existing appliances can also be a 'green' decision.
Does anybody know how to get the above-mentioned Vestfrost in Canada? The Liebherr is $$$$ and the Summit is somewhat difficult to get here too.
I have a family of five and have a week's groceries in the fridge due to limited shopping time so I need a biggish one. Recently, at Sears, I saw a fridge that has no freezer which of course uses less energy and I thought, I have a chest freezer in the basement so why do I need a freezer in my fridge? The only useful thing in there is ice and juice so why not just keep that in the chest? I'm thinking for larger families who also care about the environment, this is a really good option.
Please don't anyone yell at me about too many children being unenvironmental. I washed all their diapers, and they freeze their asses off in winter to save on fuel, if it makes you feel better.