Top News

Your refrigerator is one of the few big appliances in your home that is literally working around the clock, 24 hours a day. This means that it's a constant user of electricity.

With energy costs at their highest in decades, there are ways to scale back the cost of running your fridgethat will make overall savings for you on your energy bills. From moving your fridge slightly away from the wall to making sure you don't leave it too empty, there are many ways to pinch the pennies. Energy and broadband switching service SwitchCraft said: "Make sure you leave some space between the fridge and any walls or cupboards next to it. This allows for extra ventilation, and will help you save energy."

Making sure the fridgeisn't pressed up against the wall is important, as having the fridge fully flat to the wall makes it heat up, therefore using more energy to cool it. Most fridges have their temperature coils at the back, which need the space to ventilate. Pulling a fridge forward allows for better air circulation, keeping it cooler and allowing for more efficient energy usage. SwitchCraft added: "And by simply cleaning the coils, your fridge could become up to 30% more energy efficient."

The Simple Dollar estimated that you can save up to 40% on the cost of running your fridge by making this change. The average fridge freezer costs about £65 a year to run, meaning you could save £25 a year.

A fuller fridge has less air in it that it needs to work to keep cool, and less work means less energy usage. Three quarters full is a good ratio to ensure you're getting the best out of your fridge's energy.

Using your freezer stock and defrosting in the fridge can help keep the fridge nice and full. Putting hot food into the fridge will increase the temperature inside, again making the fridge work overtime to cool the internal temperature.

However, always place cooked food in the fridge at least two hours after cooking, otherwise bacteria can start to grow after this time, leading to sickness and very upset tummies.

The coils located in the back of the refrigerator accumulate dust and debris over time. Coils should be clean ed every six months to a year, but more often if you have pets that shed.

Always disconnect the power source before performing any maintenance, and then simply use a damp cloth to get rid of the debris.