Save Energy the Shagadelic Way: How to Insulate Your Refrigerator

Impress your friends, who will secretly pet your fridge as they reach in for a beer.

How often do you get to start a serious post with a quote like that? Thanks to our friends over at Chelsea Green, for sharing their favorite project from Stephen and Rebekah Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home. Chelsea Green explains the step-by-step instructions on how to insulate your refrigerator and add shag carpeting as a finishing touch -- with shagadelic effect.

If you are more family-oriented, this project has the perfect answer for you too: a cork-board fridge where your little angels can pin their projects while you save on your energy bills. Refrigerators consume, on average, 8% of your household energy budget. And if the current economic situation makes an upgrade of your old box to Energy Star standard, then this project could be especially useful for you.

While you are at it, take a look at the flexible gasket sealing your fridge and icebox door. If these are damaged or have become stiff, you may be losing a lot of energy at the seals. Contact the manufacturer: replacement gasket may be available. If not, you can use a fits-all gasket or adhesive closed-cell foam tape in the worst case. You can find more tips at How Stuff Works.

Via ::Chelsea Green
Image: Getty images, modified