Ecomodding my fridge

[Frank Lee]

Biggest thing one can do is remember to clean the coils regularly.

[skyl4rk]

I have a fridge like the one described in the article. It is a cheap chest freezer with this temperature controller added. I did not buy it to save energy, it was used for kegs of beer back when I was homebrewing. This type of chest freezer/temp controller is very common with homebrewers to allow fermentation to occur at exactly the right temperature. And to serve beer at exactly the right temperature.

I would use this type of chest freezer fridge again. It is far less expensive to purchase a cheap chest freezer plus a controller than a stand up fridge. And then your electric bills are lower as well.

If you were modding a chest freezer the way you plan to mod your stand up fridge, the chest freezer would just get that much more efficient. However instead of 0.1 kWh/day it might draw 0.08 kWh/day.

I never checked the amp draw on my chest freezer fridge.

The best advice I can give is to keep your fridge filled with beer.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Piwoslaw, you have an interesting fridge. I wonder, how much insulation does it have? My fridge's sidewalls including the steel outer and plastic inner shells are 4cm for the fridge, 5.5cm for the freezer.

Another thing I noticed is when my fridge turns on, it draws 680W / 6A

My refrigerator is an ARDO, model CO 2210SHX. Volume is 218 liters (7.7 cu.ft.) for the fridge and 83l (2.9cu.ft.) for the freezer. The refrigerator part's walls are 4.5cm thick, freezer 7.5cm, while the doors are 6.5cm and 9cm thick, respectively. It has a scroll type compressor which uses about 65W when on. No fans, no automatic defrost. We bought it in late 2007, today it costs the equivalent of $520, but is well worth every cent.

[Patrick]

Food for thought: Refrigerator Insulation - EcoRenovator

[RobertSmalls]

I would be disappointed with a 17% decrease in energy consumption. I can more than double insulation thickness across everything but the door, so I would hope to see a ~50% drop in energy consumption.

My fridge breathes in through the front and out through the back, so I'll have to leave the vent unobstructed, but I can insulate most of the back.

I can get R19 in fiberglass for $25-35. R20 in Polystyrene would be $170.

I was thinking about framing a 6' tall studwall in 2x4 and finishing it with 0.25" drywall and paint, but I'd probably be better served by building a freestanding plywood box around the fridge. Given the dimensions of my fridge (28"x26" plus a 4" thick enclosure), I can use two batts of 15" wide insulation on each side, and I'd only have to cut one batt lengthwise.

I would build the right and rear walls, insulate them, slide the fridge in, then install the left wall (the pretty one) and the top.

Now, how do I get three 4'x8's home in the Insight? I think I'll screw them together, then attach a caster and a handle and walk them home - 1.3mi. I'll just have to wait for a day without much wind.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Now, how do I get three 4'x8's home in the Insight? I think I'll screw them together, then attach a caster and a handle and walk them home - 1.3mi. I'll just have to wait for a day without much wind.

Wait for a windy day and put on your rollerblades...

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Now, how do I get three 4'x8's home in the Insight?

If your required width is low enough, have them cut the plywood at the home center (usually free), then load all the pieces in the hatch.

[Bicycle Bob]

For a walkable distance, it is easy to carry plywood on a bicycle. Lash a board to the handlebars so that it will support the sheets flat and stick out on one side enough to steer. Put most of the weight on the seat, and hold the sheets to balance and push the load. For drywall, a bit more wood for support might help.

[bestclimb]

Foam cushions (or barrow the cushions from your couch) between the insight and ply, and some lashing to keep them atop the car. for 1.3 miles you are likely not going to go fast enough for the aero penalty, nor to cause much lift.

[AllenK]

I actually did reduce power consumption of my 19 years old fridge down to 50% by insulating it nicely and tuning the thermostat a bit. I describe all the steps i did at my homepage.

http://coolfridge.blogspot.de/


I can only encourage you to try it!
Allen