Why You Should Replace that Decade-Old Fridge

So you have this decade-old fridge. It’s still working – well, for the most part. It may be making weird noises or something, but as long as you’re keeping those pork chops frozen and those veggies fresh then it’s all good, right?

Not quite. Do you own a ten-year-old fridge? If so, it’s about time you replace it with a new one.

In most homes, refrigerators are second among appliances – next only to the air conditioners – in power consumption. They’re notorious energy guzzlers. Do you know that a fridge made anytime between the years 1993 to 2000 can consume as much as 900 kWh? If you don’t know how much that is, well – that’s a lot. After all the math is said and done it can represent somewhere between 13 to 16 percent of your total household energy consumption. What’s worse is that unlike other appliances which you can simply turn off, a refrigerator has to be kept running 24/7 – unless your diet includes spoiled milk and raw meat parasites.

The only way to save energy – and money – on refrigerator use is to get yourself a newer, more energy-efficient unit. But gosh, that’s a pricey investment, you might be quick to say. Don’t worry – it’s one that will pay for itself in a year or two.

Here are other reasons that should convince you to replace that decade-old fridge:

• It’s cheaper. As we’ve just said above, it’s a smart investment for your home. It adds value to your kitchen and improves the efficiency of your life in it. Who knows? You might even get tax incentives or state rebates for being eco-savvy and going green. A full-sized energy-efficient refrigerator is available at the $500-1000 price range, sure, but if you merely opt for repairing the old unit, it can still set you back about $300 to $400. And there’s no guarantee the repair will work or last long enough to keep the ancient fridge running.

• A new fridge fits perfectly with your kitchen remodeling plans. If you’re thinking of moving or renovating your kitchen in the next few years, then you might as well replace the old refrigerator. This makes perfect sense – especially if a green kitchen is what you have in mind.

• You’ll have an opportunity to right-size your refrigerator. Your old fridge can cost you more than just energy; it might be costing you valuable kitchen space! When you decide to finally replace that Jurassic refrigerator, you’ll at least get to shop for a right-sized unit that’s suited to your needs and lifestyle.

• New technology makes it possible to save more energy and money than ever. Modern refrigerators (made from 2001 to 2010) usually incorporate technologies and design features that weren’t really possible a decade ago. A fridge today can utilize intelligent temperature sensors and compressors that generate 20 to 40 percent more savings; automatic moisture controls that do not need heaters to prevent moisture accumulation; adjustable storage shelves; control panels on the exterior to adjust power levels while the refrigerator doors are closed; even long-lasting, energy-efficient LED lamps to light the interior. There are even refrigerators where the freezer is placed on top instead of at the unit’s base, thus packing quieter and more efficient freezing power. In short, the advances that manufacturers have made the past ten years allow us consumers the luxury of having refrigerators that actually save – instead of waste – energy.

• It’s easier to make informed decisions on energy use today. It’s easier to act proactively on our newfound environmental consciousness. You know those yellow cards? Your decade-old fridge might not have one of those posted on its door. By yellow cards, we mean the Energy Guide labels that basically tell you how much electricity a refrigerator will use in a year. The smaller the number, the lower the fridge’s operating cost. Simple as that. Indeed, replacing that bulky energy guzzler in your kitchen has never been more convenient and rewarding.



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