Simple frozen water bottle trick could save you hundreds on your energy bill

Asian muslim woman put meal cooking ingredients into refrigerator. Meat and vegetable
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


The kitchen is a significant energy consumer in any household due to the numerous appliances that remain switched on and plugged in, even when not in use.

Refrigerators and freezers are among the top offenders for passive energy consumption as they operate continuously. Fortunately, there are several strategies to ensure you're maximising your refrigerator's efficiency.

FoodSavvy.org suggests a few simple hacks to save your hard-earned money. Firstly, keep your freezer full. A packed freezer doesn't require as much cold air circulation, reducing energy waste from cooling empty spaces.

READ MORE: Cleaning experts share how often you should clean your microwave - and the best way to do it

If you don't have enough food to fill your freezer, don't worry. You can use ice packs to occupy the extra space or freeze bottles or bags of water as space fillers, reports the Express.

Secondly, ensure your fridge and freezer are properly sealed. Fridges commonly lose energy through leaky seals - so stay updated to prevent valuable cold air from escaping.

To check if your fridge seal is functioning correctly, try the paper test. Close a sheet of paper in your fridge and freezer door. If it stays in place, you're good to go; if it falls out, it might be time to inspect your seals.

When it comes to saving money, time is crucial - if you're after a snack from the fridge, don't linger with the door open. The more time the door remains open, the more cold air escapes, making the fridge work harder to reduce the temperature.

Similarly, avoid placing hot leftovers directly in the fridge - let them cool on the kitchen counter first. Conversely, this can also help you save - if you need to defrost leftovers from the freezer, place them in the fridge. As they defrost, they'll also lower the overall temperature in the fridge.

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