Energy Saving Tips: Large Appliances - Freezers

• Don't let freezers build up more than 6 mm of frost. Defrost regularly to keep freezers working their best.

• Check your freezers door seal by closing the door on a $5 bill. If it's held tightly in place, the seal's OK; if not, the seal should be replaced.
• Fully defrost and clean the inside of your freezer at least once a year.
• Vacuum dust from the back and underside of your freezer regularly.
• Don't place warm food or pots in the freezer.
• Keep freezers away from all sources of heat, including direct sunlight, furnace vents, radiators, and appliances such as ovens and dishwashers.
• Allow at least 5 centimeters all around your freezer (or as recommended by the manufacturer) to allow heat to escape from the compressor and condensing coil.
• Freezers should be ideally set at a temperature of -18(C (0(F). For each degree below this temperature, the freezer will use almost 2% more energy.

• If you're shopping for a new freezer, consider a new energy-efficient model. Freezers made in 2002 use less than half the electricity consumed by those made 10 years earlier.
• Chest freezers are generally more energy efficient than upright models. That's because lifting the door on a chest unit releases less of the freezer's cold air.
• Open the door on an upright freezer, however, and the cold air flows down and out.
• Check the EnerGuide label for the lowest kWh consumption per year.

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