Description

The refrigerator has an average lifespan of 20 years is the largest user of energy in most households. However, the energy efficiency of these appliances has improved significantly during the past three decades. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a typical new refrigerator with automatic defrost and a top freezer uses less than 500 kWh per year, whereas a model sold in 1973 used over 1,800 kwh per year. Federal efficiency standards were established in 1993 and with stricter standards revised in 2001.

The energy efficiency of refrigerators is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Check EnergyGuide labels to tell you how much electricity a particular model will use in one year. The smaller the number, the less energy it uses.

Urban Edge Guidelines

• Select an ENERGY STAR approved refrigerator. ENERGY STAR refrigerators use at least 15% less energy than current federal standards and 40% less energy than traditional models sold in 2001.
• Select models without automatic ice-makers or dispensers. These features increase energy use by 10 to 20% and increase the price by $75 to $250.
• Select a model with a top freezer. Top freezers use 10 to 25% less energy than side-by-side models.
• Select a model that is approximately 18 to 20 cubic feet. Selecting a 16 to 20 cubic feet sizing the greatest energy efficiency, but too small a refrigerator may prompt residents to purchase their own min-fridges. 
•  Look for a refrigerator with automatic moisture control. Models with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater. This is not the same thing as an "anti-sweat" heater. Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5% to 10% more energy than models without this feature.
  

Spotlight on Urban Edge

Urban Edge has been providing 18 or 21.9 cf units refrigerators in newer developments.

Options and Criteria Review

Types, Cost.

Below are the two most common types of refrigerators purchased:

• Top-Freezer: Good for narrow spaces, most inexpensive to purchase and operate, offers most storage space for their size. Widths range from 30 to 33 inches.
• Side-by-Side: Good for spaces that cannot accommodate wide swinging doors. Most offer ice and water dispensers. More expensive to purchase and operate than top freezers. Can’t fit wide items such as pizza boxes or sheet cakes. Widths range from 32 to 36 inches.

Manufacturers.

In the US, refrigerators are primarily manufactured by three companies and the same or similar unit may be sold under several brand names: Frigidaire, W.C. Woods (based in Canada) and Haier.

• Frigidaire makes freezers under Frigidaire and Gibson names, and along with Haier, makes some freezers for Kenmore and GE.
• W.C. Woods makes freezers for Amana, Magic Chef, Maytag, Danby and Whirlpool.
• Haier makes freezers for GE, Kenmore, Maytag and Amana in addition to selling some models under its own name.

Consumer Reports indicates that reviewers do not tend to find huge differences in efficiencies among newer models of similar size and style. Consumers will sometimes pay for high-profile names when the units are nearly identical.

Resources

General

• ENERGY STAR Refrigerators overview

For Maintenance Staff, Users

• Maintenance and Operating Tips

For Purchasers

• ENERGY STAR Refrigerators and Freezers Product Lists (excel)
• American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Ratings Top-Rated Refrigerators and Freezers

For Developers

• + ENERGY STAR Refrigerators and Freezers Savings Calculators

References