Millions of icebergs around the UK are leading to catastrophic climate change across the globe. These icebergs aren't out at sea - they're growing in the around 11 million UK freezers which are not being defrosted properly. And around 34,000 of those freezers are probably in York.
Fridges and freezers work hardest during the warm summer months and need to be kept defrosted and running efficiently to keep energy use and electricity bills down. And what's more - in York we spend £3.8million a year on electricity to run fridges and freezers!
We open our fridge doors at least 19 times a day and families with children open the fridge door even more! Every minute you leave the fridge door open, it takes four minutes to cool down again.
On average the family fridge door is opened 6,935 times a year. If it's open for a minute each time, that's more than two hours a week - over 14 days a year - of costly energy.
Inefficient use of energy not only means higher electricity bills, but also increased carbon dioxide emissions, the main cause of climate change. If you run your fridge more efficiently, you'll save money - and help save the environment.
If no matter how careful you are, your ten year-old fridge keeps icing up, it's time to think about a new energy efficient model.
A new energy efficient fridge uses half the electricity of an old inefficient one.
A new Energy Efficiency Recommended fridge freezer will save you up to £45 a year on your electricity bills, and pay for itself in its lifetime.
The cool guide to keeping your fridge and freezer energy efficient
* Avoid icebergs! Defrost your fridge - freezer every three months and single door fridge every month.
* Do not install your fridge or freezer next to your cooker or oven.
* If your appliance is old or in poor condition you could be saving money on your bills by replacing it.
* When buying a new appliance make sure it is an Energy Efficiency Recommended model. Ask the sales assistant!
* Don't freeze a large amount of food at once - as it will take longer to freeze reducing its shelf life.
* Always make sure that you shut your fridge or freezer door properly.
* Check the door seals by closing the door on a sheet of paper - it should stay in place.
* Don't put warm food directly in the fridge - put it in a cool place to cool down first.
* Cover your food to stop it drying out - moisture is sucked out of uncovered food and ends up as ice build-up on the evaporator.
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