How much Energy should a Fridge/Freezer use?

Ally74
Ally74 Posts: 101 Forumite
I bought a new Fridge Freezer a few months ago and i have a slight concern it's using more electricity than it should.

I keep track of my Kwh units used quite regularly and before i got this fridge freezer the units used would stay the exact same at bedtime until i got up the next morning. Now it rises by 1 unit through the night.

We recently went away for 3 days and 5 units were used and more recently for 10 days and 15 units were used.

I'm fairly sure there is nothing else using up the units other than a digital clock i have in my room.

The thermostat is set at 1 (anyone else use lower than this?)

Booklet for Fridge Freezer states:-
Energy Efficiency A
Kwh/year 281
Total net storage 195 litres
Frozen compartment 4 star
Climate class N
Operating noise level dB (A) 39

It might not sound like a lot of Kwh used but over a year they all add up, especially if it's not running as efficiently as it should.

Any info appreciated.

Comments

  • penrhyn
    penrhyn Posts: 15,215
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
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    You should set the thermostat so the freezer compartment is around -18c, get a thermometer.

    It will take more energy to run during the warm weather as the compressor has to work harder.

    281 kwh perannum is not that far off a unit a day.
    A unit costs around 16 pence.
    That gum you like is coming back in style.
  • moonrakerz
    moonrakerz Posts: 8,650
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
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    I'm not sure how the manufacturers arrive at their annual consumption figures - but they are not meant to be an accurate figure of everyone's consumption.
    They are meant to enable would-be buyers to compare different models.
    (Rather like the mpg figures for cars !)

    There are many things which will effect the running costs.

    How much stuff is stored in it.
    How often (and how long !) it is opened.
    Where it is situated.
    Is it set to the correct temperature.
    What temperature the goods are at when you put them in.
  • Newcroft
    Newcroft Posts: 49 Forumite
    I have a Neff fridge/freezer, which uses 0.33 kWh each night. Setting is in line with the Neff booklet.
  • Ally74
    Ally74 Posts: 101 Forumite
    penrhyn wrote: »
    You should set the thermostat so the freezer compartment is around -18c, get a thermometer.

    It will take more energy to run during the warm weather as the compressor has to work harder.

    281 kwh perannum is not that far off a unit a day.
    A unit costs around 16 pence.

    Hi, thanks for replying.

    Do you know if the 281 Kwh usage per annum quoted in the booklet is a rough guide for when the appliance is empty?
    My current usage would take it way over the 281 Kwh/year.
  • Ally74
    Ally74 Posts: 101 Forumite
    moonrakerz wrote: »
    I'm not sure how the manufacturers arrive at their annual consumption figures - but they are not meant to be an accurate figure of everyone's consumption.
    They are meant to enable would-be buyers to compare different models.
    (Rather like the mpg figures for cars !)

    There are many things which will effect the running costs.

    How much stuff is stored in it.
    How often (and how long !) it is opened.
    Where it is situated.
    Is it set to the correct temperature.
    What temperature the goods are at when you put them in
    .

    Hi,

    I wouldn't say it's overly stocked up and during the periods we are away the door wouldn't be opened.
    I have it set at 1 which is the lowest setting on the thermostat.

    Thanks for taking the time to reply
  • Newcroft
    Newcroft Posts: 49 Forumite
    Ally74,

    I have pm'd you.
  • All makers use a test standard that is flawed. The only way you will ever get even close to their annual figure is to have a fully stocked [ jam packed full ] fridge freezer and never ever open the door for 12 months. :D
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
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