One of the most important appliances to consider before you head away on holiday is the fridge. This is a big electricity guzzler, so applying some simple tricks before heading out the door is a worthwhile task.
Fridges run more efficiently when full. So one easy, out-of-the box, idea is to cram it with jugs or other containers full of water. Another way to reduce the amount of electricity it uses is to clear it out and switch to a warmer setting. A combination of the two might be your best bet if you're only away for a week or so.
Refrigerators and freezers set just a few degrees lower can cut down on energy use by as much as 25 per cent, according to experts. In fact, many people set their fridge-freezers too low in any case - the ideal temperature for a fridge is between 3 and 5 degrees. Freezers should be set at -18 degrees.
If you have more time, and you are lucky enough to be heading off on a longer trip, it might be worth emptying your fridge, defrosting the freezer, and switching the entire thing off. Defrosting everything might be a pain, but over the course of an extended trip it could save a fair amount of electricity. You can also consider packing up the food and taking it upcountry with you saving you on energy bills and money needed to buy more food.
How to Save on Electricity when Using Your Fridge
