Should You Replace Your Refrigerator?
One issue that many homeowners frequently struggle with is whether to replace an older refrigerator with a newer, more energy-efficient model. The issue could be looked at from two standpoints - what will save the most money, and what will be better for the environment.
The impact on the environment is the more difficult part to calculate - a newer refrigerator will most likely use less energy over its lifetime, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, manufacturing a new product requires a certain amount of energy, so each new refrigerator that is sold comes with its own embodied energy and environmental impact. While the trade-offs are probably best examined on a case-by-case basis, the impact of getting rid of an older refrigerator can be reduced by finding a place to recycle it instead of simply putting it in a landfill.
And of course, the old refrigerator will have no benefit to either the environment or your wallet if you simply keep it active in the garage or basement as a second refrigerator.
From a money and energy-saving standpoint, Home Energy Magazine Online has provided a calculator that will help you decide whether to buy a new refrigerator. It takes into account your electricity rate, the cost of the new refrigerator, and the efficiency of both your new and old refrigerators. It bases its recommendation on the cost savings over the expected lifetime of the refrigerator in your home.
Home Energy Magazine: Is Buying a New Refrigerator a Good Investment?
