Ways to make your fridge energy efficient from Colleen Quinn:

• Don’t keep your fridge too cold. A change of one degree can effect energy consumption by 5%. Freezers should operate at -15°C to -18°C while fresh food compartments should be held at around 3°C to 5°C.
• Clean the coils annually.
• Cover food and drink to avoid evaporation in the fridge, which can force the compressor to work harder.
• Keep your freezer filled. Frozen blocks of food keep freezer temperatures more stable.
• Don’t clutter the fridge top; it can hamper the compressor’s proper air circulation.
• Don’t put your refrigerator in direct sunlight or next to an oven or dishwasher.
• Check the door seals. They should be able to hold a piece of paper in place.
• Defrost the freezer regularly and avoid frost build-ups of more than a quarter-inch.

An old second fridge can consume up to 3 times the energy of a new fridge as well as adding an average of $190 a year to your electricity bill and 1 tonne of green house gas into the environment. As we’ve mentioned previously, there is a Fridge Buy back scheme in metropolitan NSW where your old working fridge can be picked up and removed and you get $35 rebate. Go to www.fridgebuyback.com.au for more details. In Melbourne there are no interest loans for people on a low income to purchase new fridges and Phoenix  Fridges will pick up fridges in any condition, service them to make them more environmentally friendly and distribute them to people in need.

For more fridge tips, the Moreland Energy Foundation has produced a handy flyer here