Energy Efficient and Propane Refrigerators and
Freezers
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REFRIGERATION:
FACTS AND OPTIONS
Your average
conventional refrigeration unit uses 3500 to as much as 8500 watt-hours
per day--generally real energy hogs! Next to air
conditioning, water and space heating, refrigeration is the largest
electrical load in your home. If a typical refrigerator is run by a
solar powered system, it may require as many as 12 to 18 (75 watt) solar
modules--or more--a rather costly way to keep your food chilled!
There are, however, alternatives for off-grid or back-up power situations.
FACT:
if everyone in America used energy efficient refrigeration units, this
nation would be an energy exporting nation, not an energy importing
one. Hmmmm….
The average refrigerator consumes more energy than any
other household appliance. We spend over $10 billion in the
U.S., alone, to supply energy to our household
refrigerators. The following tips will save you money and
reduce your carbon (energy) footprint:
1) Clean the filter and coils annually: Most Americans
rarely, if ever, get around to vacuuming out the filter and
coils on the back of the fridge. A dusty coil can increase
energy consumption by 20 percent or more.
2) Keep it full but not stuffed: A fridge and freezer will
be able to retain their coolness better if they're full. If
you're not at full capacity, place a few containers of water
in the 'fridge or bags of ice in the freezer.
3) Think about what you want before you open the fridge.
Every time you open the fridge to browse for a snack, you
consume around 9 to 13 watt/hours, which is enough power
to light a compact fluorescent 60 watt equivalent
light bulb for 45 minutes.
4) Let hot items cool before placing them in the
refrigerator.
5) Defrost the freezer regularly.
6) Check the door gaskets for a tight seal.
7) Cover liquids and foods stored in the refrigerator.
Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor
work harder.
8) If your fridge is older than 1993, get a new one. You're
spending so much on your electric bill, you'll actually save
money. New models use less energy than a 75-watt light bulb.
Be sure to look for the Energy Star label (www.energystar.gov
and
www.aceee.org for more information).Above tips
compliments of
http://www.organicconsumers.org/
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How
much CO2 does your refrigerator make? Click on this link :
http://www.thegreenguide.com/calculators/refrigerator-co2.mhtml
Other important
considerations regarding swapping out your old refrigerator for a newer,
more energy efficient refrigerator like the energy star refrigerators
found
here include:
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Energy-efficient
refrigerators run quieter
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Energy-efficient
refrigerators turn off & on less
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Energy-efficient
refrigerators run less often
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Energy-efficient
refrigerators release less heat into your kitchen
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Energy-efficient
refrigerators keep their contents cool longer during power outages
because they have more insulation.
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AC Energy
Efficient Refrigeration
by VESTFROST
We offer the ConServ, an energy
efficient AC refrigerator/freezer by
Vestfrost,
a Danish manufacturer. The unit (6.9 cu ft refrigerator, 3.5 cu ft
freezer) costs $1149 (for the white units,
and $1399 for units with stainless steel doors and matching gray sides),
and will use only 750W per day at temp of 68°; 900W per day at a
temperature of 77°F; 1500W per day at a temperature of 90°. It
has separate compressors for the refrigerator and freezer, and its tall,
slender design is an attractive addition to any household. Its
exterior dimensions are: 78.7" height (2000mm); 23.4"
wide (595mm), 23.4" deep - excluding handle (595mm). Door may
be mounted on either side; has manual defrost function for freezer;
refrigerator is designed to accumulate little or no ice (depending on
usage and humidity) and a control panel at the top of the cabinet with
thermostats for refrigerator and freezer sections. Uses an average
(according to the Department of Energy Refrigerator Efficiency
Standards) of $47 per year of utility power. CFC-free refrigerant and
foam. This unit is not only a great addition to your kitchen, but
is affordable and will save you energy on or off-grid. Call for
your freight on this item; lead time approximately 2-4 weeks. One
year warranty.
Owner Chris Daum
has been enjoying her
energy efficient ConSerrv refrigerator by Vestfrost since 1996
For additional and up to
date information on the
energy efficient Conserv refrigerator and refrigerators that are Energy
Star listed please click here.
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Propane Refrigerator by
Servel
One of the oldest
and most reliable manufacturers of LP units, are still available without
significant lead time, for $1195 plus freight. The Servel
Americana 400 series is their latest technology of fully independent
refrigerator/freezers. The absorption-type cooling system (no freon)
is quiet and dependable, with no compressor or other moving parts to wear
out. Choose almond or white for exterior finish with designer
beveled edges; 7.5 cu ft (5.6 'fridge, 1.9 freezer). CFC-free.
Outside dimensions: 63.5" tall; 23" wide; depth of
26.5". Door hinged on right. Features include all-white
interior with adjustable, removable shelves and door bins, plus two
vegetable crispers and a battery powered interior light. All models
can be operated on AC electricity if desired (but are not energy efficient
used in this fashion, using almost 4000 watts per day). Fuel
consumption averages (at 77° ambient temperature) 1.1 lb of propane daily
or 1.5 to 2.4 gallons per week. Swedish made with famous European
craftsmanship, these units will provide many years of use. American
Gas Association approval, of course; one year warranty. Call for
your freight on these units. Also available as fueled by kerosene
for $1550. The kerosene units do require additional maintenance (as
kerosene is a less clean fuel than propane). There is a maintenance
kit suggested for those interested in the kerosene units that costs an
additional $149; spare parts included are 12 wicks, wick raiser, flame
spreader, wick cleaner, and glass chimney.
Click here for a picture
and additional information on these great units .
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Full Sized Propane
Refrigerators Now Available
The Crystal
Cold! (click this link for more data). Made by the Amish for
the Amish, who usually have large families and demand high performance.
White, bisque, stainless steel & black colors are available in some
models.
Click here for more details. These units look like a
ruggedly-built, conventional refrigerator, available in 12 cu .ft , 15 cu ft, 18 cu ft, and
now a whopping 21 cu. ft. model. Runs on natural or LP gas, very gas efficient; one year
warranty, with option to extend warranty to three years for $65. For
natural gas conversion at the factory, add $50. Call, write or e-mail
us for additional information on these quality NEW units.
New Blizzard Propane
Chest and Upright Freezers
These New
Blizzard
freezers are also made by the Amish and are available in 15,18, and
22 cu. ft.
upright or 10 cu. ft. chest models. click on the link above for
more details.
For your information:
Never run any refrigerator or freezer from any
manufacturer when it is empty. You should always have something
inside each compartment (at least a few jugs of water or something like
that). Air alone does not retain enough cooling for the thermostat to
properly sense the temperature; your compressor will end up running much
more that necessary. Also, your freezer will operate more efficiently if
full; if you are the sort who doesn't have many goods in your freezer,
add sacks of ice to keep it full. It will cycle less and use less
electricity. And, if there is an extended power outage, you will be the
toast of your neighbors as you will have ice to spare.
WHAT TRUCK FREIGHT ENTAILS:
The best rate for truck freight shipping is to have you pick it up at the
local freight terminal or commercial drop point. A residential delivery is
usually $40 to $45 more than a business delivery, and, a lift gate (which
drops the goods off at ground level), is another $80 to $100 in additional
fees. Inside delivery is an additional cost on top of that.
Know someone with a truck? Can you have a dolly or hand cart on hand? If
you can mobilize a couple of strong bodies, you might be able to save $80
to $120 or so!
Call for your freight on any of our truck freight items.
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