The most energy efficient refrigerator style is a top-mount freezer refrigerator.

The variation in how much energy savings can be achieved with a top-mount freezer refrigerator depends in part, ENERGY STAR® states, on whether it has an ice dispenser. Generally a top-mount freezer refrigerator that has earned ENERGY STAR® certification uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb.

• Choose a refrigerator of a size based on the needs of your family – a refrigerator operates at peak efficiency when filled.
• Do not overload your fridge, excessive products in your fridge will lower the quality of the food and use more electricity – as much as 10-20% more for each extra product.
• Do not set freezing temperatures lower than necessary, it wastes as much electricity as excessive heat.
• Thick frost on chilling panels reduces cooling ability. If you do no t have a frost-free model, defrost your refrigerator when frost is between 0,6 to 1,3 cm thick.
• Do not open your refrigerator door needlessly. By getting into the habit of removing and replacing several articles at once, you will reduce the loss of cold air.
• Let hot foods cool down before placing them in the refrigerator. (To prevent bacterial growth allow about 20 minutes standing time).
• Be sure the seal around your refrigerator door is intact. (Close the door on a piece of paper: if you can pull the paper out easily, the seal should be replaced).
• Remove all heavy wrapping from food before storing it in the refrigerator.
• Cover all liquids stored in the refrigerator (especially frost-free models).
• Foods should be placed slightly apart on refrigerator shelves to allow the cooling air to circulate.
• Exposed condenser coils/panels (usually at the back of the unit) MUST be kept clean and dust free. When cleaning you must be careful not to damage the panels.
• Do not place the refrigerator near the stove or against an uninsulated wall that faces the sun.
• Allow adequate space around the refrigerator for free air circulation. The air carries heat away from the fridge – if air can not circulate, the fridge can not work properly.
• Switch on the energy saving switch, if one is fitted to the refrigerator.
• Switch off, empty or clean your fridge, when taking an extended holiday.

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One solution that we particularly like is the newly released Defy Solar Fridge option. Obviously we would prefer that you install Solar PV to power your entire home but the price point of the Defy option is quite compelling for those on a budget:

The Defy Solar Hybrid Range offers an estimated 40% Reduced Energy Consumption

With rising energy tariff increases in South Africa, the cost of energy is almost 4 times higher than inflation and has made a significant impact on all South African pockets. Solar options have been available, however, are only accessible to a select few given the high costs.

Defy has found a way to change this, with a solution that sets a new benchmark in energy consumption, all the while maintaining continuity in functionality. Defy’s All New Solar Hybrid Range uses one simple solar panel that will power the entire fridge or freezer for up to 36 hours with no batteries or converters. The idea behind this innovation is to power homes with the most affordable, versatile and renewable technology that exists today.

During the day the unit will run completely off the sun’s energy and as the sun sets, the internal mechanism will switch back to the electrical grid allowing the unit to run efficiently. Having daytime stable energy, powered by the sun, will reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of coal supplied electricity. With Defy’s Hybrid solution, affordable energy has never been this accessible.

The process of purchasing one of these Solar Hybrid units begins with the customer calling Defy’s customer service line. The shopper will be directed to the nearest Defy store and a team of installers will be dispatched to the customer’s home, where they will assess the potential placement for the solar panels in relation to the fridge-freezer unit.

The entire process, from contacting the customer service line to purchasing the Solar Hybrid unit, to having it installed, is expected to be completed within three days.

“The total cost is less than R6,000,” says Defy Marketing Manager, Cagdas Fidan. “Although the prices may vary from one dealer to another it will still be less than R6,000 and the solar panels are included in that price.”

While the retail price includes both the desired Solar Hybrid unit and the accompanying solar panel, customers will still need to pay for the installer’s “consumables”. Fidan explains that this additional cost for brackets and cables will be kept to a minimum. The unit, panel and installation will also come with a warranty.

While Defy’s Solar Hybrid range is more expensive than other fridges and freezers of the same capacity, Albas explains that saving on an electricity bill would eventually see the unit paying for itself.

Appliances that heat water are the highest consumers of electricity in the home:

There has long been a debate over what method of dish washing has the lowest environmental impact: hand washing or using a dishwasher. The consensus is that dishwashers are the better choice because they most efficiently use water, using an average of 22 litres of water – or only 7.5 to 15 litres for Energy Star efficient models – per full load, whereas hand washing consumes 7.5 litres of water for every minute the tap is running and far more soap.

• Dishwasher energy consumption can be reduced by turning off the dishwasher after the final rinse and before the drying cycle. The clean dishes can then be wiped with a dry cloth.
• Fill the dishwasher completely before operating. Partial loads waste electricity and water.
• Short wash cycles, rinse-only cycles, mid-cycle turn-off, and other features are designed for energy conservation as well as convenience.
• Connect your dishwasher to COLD water supply unless otherwise directed. Normally only one wash and one final rinse cycle requires hot water which is heated by an element in the dishwasher.
• The dishwasher filters must be kept clear of debris. A blocked filter reduces efficiency and wastes energy.
• Proper loading is important for the dishwasher to work efficiently.
• Use a dishwasher that has an “AIR DRY” option.
• Try to find a unit that has a high temperature setting that can be disabled with a switch.

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Dishwashers use less water (and less hot water) than using a sink.

The key is buying a dishwasher that is not an energy pig and realizing you will only be able use during the “good times”. The good times are those times when the batteries are full and the sun is still shining or the wind is still blowing. Using your dishwasher when the batteries are low means more generator time and more fuel consumed.

A decent dishwasher will use less than 1kWh per load. If you turn off the water heating element and electric drying element, a dishwasher will consume closer to 500 watt hours per load, not including the energy required to pump and heat the water.

The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list for 2021 lists the Miele G 6935 SCi dishwasher as the most energy efficient dishwasher with a projected Annual Energy Use (kWh/yr) of 199 kW and with a projected 11.25 litres of water use per cycle.