The cost of greening

While replacing your appliances as frequently as I suggested in last week’s column may be environmentally responsible, it is expensive to do. A study by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan estimated that scheduling your refrigerator purchases to optimize energy usage may increase what you pay by 36 to 50 percent, because even if you are saving $50 a year on electricity, it takes a long time to add up to the cost of a new fridge. In fact, you would probably have replaced that new appliance before you paid for it with savings on your energy bill. So, making the right, “environmentally friendly” choice to make your kitchen green is not always the right financial choice. It isn’t easy or inexpensive being green.
Here are some tips to consider. A way to save energy used by your refrigerator or freezer in the summer months is to keep them at least three-quarters full. This reduces the amount of energy they use because the items in them have already been cooled so they help to keep the overall temperature down when you open the door. The more, the better. To prove my point, try putting one ice cube in a cooler and see how much faster it melts than when you fill the whole cooler with ice. Some folks have even suggested putting a brick in your fridge if you don’t fill it with food. Might be worth a try.
Also, unless you are part of a big family, ditch the fridge or freezer in the garage. You probably only use them at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they are probably really old. Someone else probably needs them more than you do.
Now, here is one tip I have heard, but don’t know if I believe. Take all those magnets off the door of your refrigerator...they suck out energy! Someone test this and let me know.
My conclusion: Be sure to buy Energy Star appliances, but do your homework and select the time. There is much more that goes into an informed purchase than just considering the price tag. Glad I don’t have to worry about these complexities.
Gotta go catch flies. That’s simple.