Why You Should Keep Your Refrigerator Full

A full refrigerator is a happy refrigerator. Not only does a well-stocked fridge leave your family full and happy, it can actually save you money on your electricity bill.

That's right – a fridge which is full of food is significantly more energy-efficient than one which is empty. Why, you ask? When you open your refrigerator's door, as much as 50% of the cold air can escape. After you close the door, the compressor kicks on and your fridge goes back to work trying to cool down to your desired temperature.

When the refrigerator is full of food, however, there is less air space, and thus there is less exchange between the cold inside air and the warm outside air. A well-stocked refrigerator has more thermal mass inside of it, which means that its contents are better at retaining their temperature when the door is opened.

Beware though; an over-stuffed refrigerator will actually have the opposite affect. There is a such thing as having too much food in your refrigerator, which can hinder air circulation and lead to warm spots.

If you are having trouble keeping your refrigerator full, try stocking it with jugs of water. They are cheap, great for adding thermal mass, and very useful in emergency situations!

If your refrigerator has a sufficient amount of food, but is still not keeping cool, it is time to call in the professionals. Speedy Refrigerator Service has been fixing fridges across Long Island and New York City for more than 75 years; let us make you our next satisfied customer. Our phone lines are always open, so call 866-782-9376 anytime to schedule your same-day appointment.

6 Easy Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

With the hot summer weather approaching, homeowners everywhere are looking for ways to cut back on energy costs. While turning down the air conditioner might be the first energy-saving method that comes to mind, there are ways to reduce your consumption without sacrificing your family's comfort.

Here are six easy ways to save energy in the kitchen.

Match the Pan Size to the Burner

When cooking on the stove top, always use a pan which is the same size as the burner that you are cooking on. When a small pan is placed on a big burner, as much as 50% of the energy could be put towards heating your kitchen, not your food.

Stop Preheating the Oven

Many professional cooks agree that preheating the oven is a useless process for most recipes and wastes a significant amount of energy. Put your food in the oven when you turn it on; it may take a few minutes longer to cook, but you eliminate all the waiting time on the front end.

Use Lids on Your Pans

Cover all of your pots and pans with proper-fitting lids when you are cooking on the stove top. Cooking without lids can use three times as much energy!

Keep Your Microwave Clean

Keeping the inside of your microwave oven clean is an effective way to reduce how much energy it consumes. Old spills and food stains can absorb energy waves, making it take longer to cook the food that you actually want to eat.

Avoid Peeking in the Oven

While cooking in the oven, it is tempting to peek in every-so-often and take a look at your food; resist this urge. Every time you open the oven door, hot air escapes. If your oven has a glass window, simply turn on the light and look inside without opening the door.

Let Leftovers Cool Off

Don't put food in the refrigerator when it is still hot; it can warm up the rest of the interior and cause the compressor to cycle on. Letting your leftovers cool to room temperature before putting them in the fridge will ensure your unit won't have to work as hard.

If you notice a spike in your electricity bill, your refrigerator could be to blame. The average refrigerator can account for up to 10% of your home's energy bill, but if it is malfunctioning this number can be much higher. If you suspect that your refrigerator is not operating properly, give the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service a call at 866-782-9376. With over 75 years of experience, it is no wonder why Long Island residents count on us to fix their refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers. We are open 24/7/365, so call us any time to schedule a same-day visit from one of our licensed technicians.

5 Free Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

If you are looking to reduce the amount of energy you consume each month, the best place to start is in the kitchen. Large appliances such as your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher require a significant amount of energy to use; but these five tips can help you slash your monthly bills.

• Don't pre-wash your dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. Most newer dishwashers are powerful enough to remove any food which may have hardened onto your plates. Washing your dishes beforehand wastes water, time, and money.
• Cook with flat-bottomed pots and pans. The larger the surface that comes in contact with your stove's burner, the faster it will heat up. The difference is significant; pans with warped bottoms can take 50% more energy to heat up than ones with flat bottoms.
• Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator every six months. These coils are located on the back of your refrigerator and can accumulate a thick layer of dust and grime if not regularly vacuumed. This dirty coating can put additional wear-and-tear on your refrigerator's compressor and increase your monthly energy bill.
• Cook small meals in a microwave or toaster oven instead of a full-sized oven. If you are cooking an individual-sized meal, save yourself time and money by cooking it with a small appliance – a full-sized oven will consume over twice the amount of energy of a microwave.
• Unplug your small appliances when they aren't being used. Things like toasters, coffee makers, and electric can openers constantly drain energy when they are plugged into the wall – even if they are not being used.

A malfunctioning refrigerator can also cause your energy bill to skyrocket. If you notice your monthly electricity bill creeping up but you aren't changing your consumption habits, your refrigerator may be to blame. If you live in New York, call 24/7 Refrigerator Repair at 866-782-9376 – we offer around-the-clock emergency support and one-hour service to Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For more information about 24/7 Refrigerator Repair, click here to visit our website.

Energy Saving Tips for Your Refrigerator

Refrigerators are the only household appliance that runs 24/7, which causes them to be a major factor on your monthly energy bill. Even with an Energy Star-certified model, your electricity bill can start to creep up if you do not take proper precautions. Use the following five tips to keep your refrigerator cold and your energy bill low.

Clean the condenser coils

Cleaning the condenser coils every six months is a staple in a refrigerator's maintenance plan, similar to changing the oil of your car. These coils are usually located at the back of the unit, and can become coated in a thick layer of dust, animal hair, and other grime. When this happens, the condenser must work harder and consume more energy.

Test seal strength

Your refrigerator's gasket is the rubber seal located on the inside perimeter of the door. This seal is responsible for keeping cold air in the refrigerator and warm air out. Unfortunately, the gasket is usually one of the refrigerator's first components to wear down. To test yours, close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can easily slide the dollar up and down or remove it, you should replace the gasket immediately to improve your energy efficiency.

Keep Your Fridge Full, but Not Too Full

Keeping your refrigerator full will help it retain its temperature better when the door is opened, because the different foods acts as insulators to keep each other cold. On the other hand, keeping your refrigerator too full can hinder air circulation and lead to warm spots.

Keep Your Refrigerator Away From Heat Sources

Logically, this tip makes perfect sense. If your refrigerator is located near your stove, it will heat up when the stove turns on, and the compressor will have to work twice as hard to keep the inside cool. Other heat sources to avoid include your dishwasher and direct sun from a window or skylight.

Let Hot Food Cool Down

Allow hot food to cool down before sticking it in the refrigerator. Putting in items that are fresh out of the oven will cause the food around it and the entire interior of the fridge to warm up, which in turn causes the refrigerator to use higher amounts of energy to cool back down.

If your electricity bill still isn't going down and you suspect your refrigerator is to blame, there may be a more serious issue at hand. If you live in Long Island or New York City, you can count on 24/7 Refrigerator Repair to get you up-and-running at any time of the day. Our expert technicians keep fully-stocked trucks, which allows them to make most repairs in the comfort of your own home on the same day you call. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 866-782-9376.

Ways to Save Energy on Your Second Refrigerator

  

Do you find yourself always running out of space in your refrigerator? Sometimes, the model in your kitchen simply isn't spacious enough to meet the needs of your family. It is not uncommon for houses to have a second refrigerator – maybe it is time for you to invest in one too. Before you pull the trigger on your purchase, first make sure it is necessary. In addition to several hundred dollars up front, a second refrigerator can cost up to $100 a year to operate. If you decide to buy one, use these tips to save yourself some money.

Buy an Energy Star model

First and foremost, buy a refrigerator which is Energy Star certified. The Energy Star label is given to the most energy efficient products by the EPA. You can find a list of their most efficient products here. These models may have a more expensive price tag, but they will save you money in the long run by consuming less energy than non-certified models.

Keep it out of the garage

Many families like to keep their second refrigerator in the garage because of the extra space, but that is one of the worst places you can put it. An unconditioned garage presents a few problems. Firstly, the temperature gets very high during the summer, which in turn makes the refrigerator work harder than normal, which leads to a higher energy bill. Even worse, if your garage gets too hot or too cold, it can affect the refrigerator's internal thermostat and your food can warm to unsafe temperatures, causing you to throw away or unknowingly eat your spoiled food.

Don't buy more than you need

Before taking a trip to the local appliance store, think about how much space you will need in your second refrigerator. More space may be luxurious, but it also requires more energy to cool. Buying a bigger fridge than needed also hinders your refrigerators cooling performance. Failing to consistently keep your refrigerator at least halfway full will result in the loss of much more cold air when the door is opened. These fluctuations can lead to prematurely spoiled food and, once again, a higher electric bill.

When shopping for a second refrigerator, it is important to make smart decisions. It is also important to make smart decisions when looking for a refrigerator repair service – that is why you should choose 24/7 Refrigerator Repair. Proudly serving Nassau County and Queens for over 50 years, we offer service around the clock – that includes nights, weekends, and holidays. Call 866-782-9376 or visit our website for more information. You can also like us on Facebook for more refrigeration tips and advice.