freezer electricity usage question

joyfull

Hope this is the right place to put this question?

Does it cost more to run a freezer (or even a fridge) if it's half empty. I'm wondering if I should pack my freezer with, say, frozen milk/water & whilst it will use power to initially freeze it, it will use less power in the long run to just keep it frozen rather than keep cooling empty space.

Thanks

dogshome

Hi joyfull - Yes, your fridge or freezer will cost less to run if it's full
The reason is that every time you open the the door the cold air flows out at the bottom of the cupboard, and warm air from the room flows in at the top - The effect isn't so big with a chest type freezer - The more chilled or frozen 'Stuff there is in the Fridge or Freezer, then the less room there is for warm air.
I have a big, but under used Chest freezer and I fill the spare space with 2 pint plastic milk bottles full of water.

Swipe

Unless it is a huge freezer I don't think the saving would be that great. It depends on the energy rating. I have an A rated chest freezer that is rated for 152KWh/year consumption @ say 12p/unit cost, that is £18 a year. So by keeping mine full I may save £5.

Mrs_Thrify

Hiya, you do need to keep your freezer fairly full to keep the best out of it. You could buy some extra bread or put in some milk/ water.
You can also fill the lower shelves with newspaper.
If you have had the fridge a wile check the seals. The most efficiant freezers are A rated.

Cardew

dogshome wrote: »

Hi joyfull - Yes, your fridge or freezer will cost less to run if it's full

Hiya, you do need to keep your freezer fairly full to keep the best out of it. You could buy some extra bread or put in some milk/ water.

That was always 'conventional wisdom' but it has been challenged recently. This is what WHICH have to say in their FAQ:

<H2>Do I need to keep my freezer full to save money?

We've heard some people resort to filling up their freezers with loaves of bread or even newspaper to make sure they run efficiently.
Our advice is not to bother, as opening the door of a freezer lets in only a small amount of warm air, which doesn't take much energy to cool down. Anything that's already frozen is unlikely to warm up either.
So filling the freezer up isn't likely to save you a penny.

</H2>

Don't forget it takes energy to freeze the additional items

ixwood

Yes. Mainly because the cold air falls out (cold air sinks) when you open the door.