7 Refrigerator Freezer Tips and Hacks for Pinoy Homes

Do you feel the sweat trickling down your skin? Now that the season is beginning to change, most of us Pinoys are already preparing for the hot summer months. However, a lot of homeowners are also looking for ways to save money and conserve energy while remaining comfortable amid the warm weather.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t apply the right strategies to improve the efficiency of their refrigerators. A refrigerator unit is one of the top consumers of electricity in a home, as it runs all day, every day. Fret not! Here are some tips and hacks to ensure your refrigerator freezer’s efficiency:

1. Upgrade decade-old refrigerator units

You may want to consider an upgrade if your refrigerator is over ten years old. Usually, old refrigerator units are not designed with energy efficient features. So, it’s better to recycle your old unit and instead upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. Some people are reluctant to replace their old models as the initial cost for a new unit may seem high. However, the long-term savings on the electricity bill is definitely worth it.

2. Always check the rubber seal on the fridge door

This rubber seal located at the borders of fridge doors is called a gasket. It plays an important role in ensuring that a refrigerator unit runs smoothly and efficiently. However, it is usually overlooked by most homeowners. The gasket provides a seal for your refrigerator and prevents warm air from outside to penetrate the interior. It also prevents leakage of cool air. Over time, it can be quite common for gaskets to undergo some wear and tear. They begin to lose some of their suction due to frequent door opening and closing. Though your appliance can maintain maximum efficiency for many years, your gasket can weaken. It is also likely for it to have small tears after being used for a few years. When the gasket breaks down, your refrigerator unit will need to work harder just to maintain its internal temperature and keep your food chilled. This will inevitably lead to higher electricity bills. It may also shorten the unit’s lifespan. So, when you’re doing a monthly ref checkup, check the condition of your refrigerator gasket.

3. Keep your unit away from sources of heat

Whenever your refrigerator is near something that emits heat, its compressor kicks into high gear. Your fridge puts in extra effort to keep your food chilled when the external temperature gets higher. This also leads to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for the appliance. Keep your fridge away from other appliances that emit heat, such as ovens, stovetops, or turbo broilers. It’s also best to place your unit far from a window so that it’s away from direct sunlight.

4. Organize the food items inside

Not many people know this, but organizing the items inside your refrigerator will lead to energy efficiency. This is because when items inside are organized, you’ll then take less time looking for them. The fridge door will remain open for a less amount of time, which leads to greater savings in electricity. Also, you should consider reducing the number of items that are on the top shelf of your fridge. The top shelf is a prime location and allows for easier access. It should be saved for the items that you usually use, so you can access them more quickly. If you have young kids, place their favorite snacks at their eye-level so they can easily grab them. You can even try having an Insta-worthy refrigerator. Use colorful containers to store your food. Arrange them neatly and label them so that your fridge can be both functional and visually appealing. It's always great to look at a well-organized and color-coordinated refrigerator.

5. Regularly clean the condenser coils

The condenser coils are important as they remove warmth from the refrigerator unit. These are usually large coils that can be found at the back or underneath some types of refrigerators. Several recently released refrigerator models have hidden condenser coils for a neater look. However, when the coils get dirty or dusty, it becomes difficult for them to operate efficiently. When they get clogged, they begin working harder just to maintain the unit’s temperature. This again leads to higher energy bills. Cleaning the condenser coils is relatively easy. Just get a small bristle brush to take out any dirt and dust that have built up. Cleaning the condenser coils once a year is enough.

6. Don’t place warm food inside

Don’t place warm food inside the fridge. Instead, make sure to allow your food and leftovers to cool. This may seem like a small thing, but remember that even the smallest details can lead to big savings. When you allow your leftovers to cool down before placing them inside the fridge, you reduce the amount of heat that is added to the interior. This means that a fridge works harder when warm food is placed inside. You can also properly use Tupperware, foil, or other protective wrappings when storing your food. A word of caution: Don’t let your food sit out for too long, or else, it may spoil.

7. Always close the refrigerator door

This is the cheapest way to reduce your energy usage. An open fridge uses up a lot of electricity, leading to higher bills. This is because whenever the door is open, warm air enters, and cold air escapes. The refrigerator then needs more energy to maintain its intended temperature. What you can do is to decide on what you want to get even before opening the fridge. This will limit the amount of time that the refrigerator door is open. Make sure that you never leave the refrigerator freezer door partially open, for any reason. There are those who leave it open for “just a small amount of time.” Again, the small details matter when it comes to your energy bills. Now that summer is here, we should all become proactive about ways to reduce our electricity bills. These tips and hacks for refrigerator maintenance help lower your energy consumption while ensuring that your appliance lasts longer. One of the ways to reduce your energy bills is to get a refrigerator that is of top quality. The answer is Condura. A Condura refrigerator will be your partner in making your life more efficient. You can be sure that there is great attention to detail, and that Condura continues to deliver the best quality and cost-effectivity in the market. Condura aims to always provide the best products to fulfill the needs of Filipinos. Best part? Condura has a wide array of refrigerators that you can consider if you’re planning to upgrade your old units. Check the video below for more information:

A Condura refrigerator is your best choice not only because Condura offers top-of-the-line products, but also service with malasakit. What better way for a Filipino to be proudly Pinoy than to partner with a company that keeps the Filipino first, and does so with excellence and passion? Iba ang Pinoy, and Condura knows how to take care of the Filipino’s unique needs!