In a world characterized with increasing energy cost or electricity bills, many would gladly adopt means of reducing cost without affecting their energy consumption in real sense. This is the insight shared , then this should interest you.
WHAT WE KNOW
Many around the world are encumbered by the increasing cost of energy bills arising from global energy crisis that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has caused, and Nigeria is certainly not exempted.
Some home appliances consumes more energy and increase cost of electric bills. Kitchen appliances for example, fridges and freezers are high-energy consumers and contribute to a higher energy bills than other appliances.
Yet these kitchen appliances are by their function meant to be on at every point, hence leading to a higher cost for an average home.
However, to reduce the cost of energy from fridges and freezers, we fill them with waters in bags so as to keep the fridge packed at all times, Clariform has learnt.
To understand how this works, it’s important to know that most of the energy consumed by fridges and freezers are used to keep cool the warm air that enters the fridges every time we them, according to Sam Whillance.
When your freezer is packed it makes it less easier for air to enter when you open your fridge. To keep your fridge full at all times, doesn’t have to cost you money to buy more food items into it. However, this can be achieved by storing water in your fridge.
He further said that another way to reduce cost of energy is by properly arranging your fridge. You can pack foods you don’t need immediately at the back of the fridge so you don’t have what you need every time at the back while what you need in the next week or two is in front thereby making you unpack the whole fridge each time you need an item.
Another option according to him could be to purchase frozen foods in bulk rather than fresh food which will require more energy to preserve or can easily go to waste.
Then try to unclutter your fridge especially around the ventilating outlets as this helps the cool air to circulate around your fridge easier, he claimed.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Writing on DealTown, Sam Whillance a savings expert says, “stocking up your freezer can save money in several ways” as keeping it full and compact reduces energy consumption.
“Most of the energy your freezer uses goes towards cooling down the air that comes in when you open the freezer door.
“So, when your freezer is full, there is less room for warmer air to come in, and the items that are in there will help to cool down any warmer air that does sneak in.”
“If you do not have enough food inside the freezer to keep it full, using things such as ziplock bags filled with water, ice blocks or even just bags of ice can help prevent warmer air from entering. These items are cheap and effective.”
“Foods you stock up your freezer with, can help lower the costs of running it. By organising your freezer space, using more frozen products, and freezing leftover fresh food where possible, we can reduce our food waste and save money.
“Essentially, keeping it full and compact means less energy will be used – reducing your bills,” he said.
“trying to put any foods you know you won’t use for a while at the back of the freezer” so you don’t need to keep rearranging it to get the food out.
Sam advised people to unclutter the fridge, “especially near the ventilating outlets as keeping space at the top and sides of your fridge helps the cool air move around easier”.
“purchasing freezer foods in bulk “can be cheaper than buying fresh produce, which can also go to waste a lot quicker”.
“Try organising your goods so you can still pack just as much in, while keeping track of everything you’ve got. Any bulky foods can be repacked into reusable freezer bags – try squeezing the air out and sealing,” he explained.
“Meat and fish produce needs to be kept cold so you want it to be stored in the chilliest section of your fridge. You can use a thermometer to check this.
“Door compartments are actually warmer than the rest of the fridge. If you find your milk isn’t lasting very long, try storing it in the main storage area instead.
“Condiments and sauces tend to have a longer shelf life and don’t need to be stored at a specific temperature in the fridge, so they will usually last okay in the door or on the top shelf.
“The same goes for bottled drinks. It makes them easier to store and more convenient to reach if they are in the door, too.”
“Most people will find the coldest area is in the back of the fridge because when you open the door the warmer air hits the front first. Fruit and veg should be stored in their dedicated compartments because this part of the fridge isn’t as dry as the rest, meaning it should keep everything fresher for longer.”
TAKEAWAY
In recent times, the world have experienced a soaring cost of energy occasioned by the Ukrainian war.
However, in Nigeria, the challenge is not just cost of energy but also poor generation and supply of energy.
Definitely, many people would be glad knowing there is a way out of energy cost. In Nigeria, the few who have been connected to the prepaid metre system are daily thinking of how to reduce cost of recharging their metre.
However, many don’t know how other than switching off some appliances at certain times of the day.
With this strategy, you can keep your fridge on all day long while also keeping cost low.
Moreover, the water that has become ice block can help keep the fridge cool in the event of prolonged power outage, which is still very much a common thing here in Nigeria.
