Energy Matters Forums

[Allen]

Hi all, i did insulate my old fridge and did reduce power consumption down to 50%!! It was cheap in material (25Euros) and does save 27 Euros at the power bill each year. It looks still as a normal fridge and was fun. Have a look here for pics and information: http://coolfridge.blogspot.com/

Allen

[Tracker]

.
The big problem is that 90% of modern fridges are just not suitable for the changes.... with the heat exchanger in the side walls.
Your old style (rather small) fridge, was suitable, so that's good..

I wonder how long it will be befor we see purposefully designed devices, that have the thicker walls..
Maybe we will never see them because the number of folk prepared to sacrifice useable cold-space for efficiency, is likely small.

With Governments forcing the issue on devices like Water-Heaters, and water-efficient-washing-machines, it's a wonder that they don't pass laws about the thermal efficiency of fridge/freezers, but, we know that they are not really serious, with encouragement for Solar-Power installations and then removal of the encouragement, because they find that it costs money.

WHY - should we even have to think about adding insulation..
..
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[Allen]

I mostly agree with you:

1. Not any fridge in any location is suitable for insulation. One has to be sure where the condenser and the evaporator are because they have to stay clear. And you need space for your insulation. But i am quite sure that some walls of any fridge are suitable for extra-insulation. My personal problem was more or less: Insulating old fridge versus buying a new one. Oekologically and financially it was better to insulate the old fridge and save 50% of the power, save money and save a new fridge (means saving the wasting of the old fridge)
2. Why do we have to think about insulating our fridges at all? It only costes cents to put extra-insulation for the producer. But people dont want thick walls and smaller space inside. Governments though did react in europe: they invented the energy-labels which are lowering the energy consumption over time. But it is a bit slow so far.

Allen

[Tracker]

they invented the energy-labels which are lowering the energy consumption over time.

and I do wonder just how much reliance can be given to the results.
I was looking at one group of products and noticed that they all seemed to have the same figures..
..
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[Smurf1976]

Governments though did react in europe: they invented the energy-labels which are lowering the energy consumption over time. But it is a bit slow so far.

I thought they first started in some Australian states in the mid-1980's? Or did Europe have them earlier?

[Allen]

I did check wikipedia: Europe did introduce the energy labels only in 1994. I could not find who was inventing or developing them. My point was that governments started to introduce them finally. But sure it could be earlier and more strict. Greetings. Allen

[Allen]

Just a follow-up after 6 months: the fridge is running smoothlessly on 0,35kWh/day which makes 130 a year or a bit less. No problems with my self-made insulation or what so ever.
For the steps it took and some pics see here:

http://coolfridge.blogspot.com/

[bugger]

Thank you so much for sharing! This gives me a lot to think about when I go to buy an upright freezer in the next month or so