Fridge-freezer electricity usage

Peggy0628

Hi, 
I have a fridge-freezer. Only using the fridge part really as not much in the freezer (but can't turn freezer part off obviously). Would the freezer use less energy if it was empty or if it was mostly full? I could put some old milk bottles filled with water in to make up for the lack of food. The fridge-freeze is over 10 years old so not terribly efficient. Thanks!

Benny2020

It will use more to initially freeze what you put in then use less once its full and frozen. (probably)
Is there not a fuse or something you can take out of the freezer bit?

Ultrasonic

Why don't you use the freezer? If the goal is to save money then making use of the freezer may actually be the way to go...

On-the-coast

Surely you can raise the temperature in the freezer section even if you cant turn it off completely?
as long as you’re not using it for long term food storage, then raising temperature to (e.g) -10c should make a noticeable saving. 

Can’t see the freezing water helps much - except thermal inertia - so the freeze cycle might be a bit slower. But unless the freezer compartment is ventilated? I think it would be marginal.  

Section62

Peggy0628 said:

I have a fridge-freezer. Only using the fridge part really as not much in the freezer (but can't turn freezer part off obviously). Would the freezer use less energy if it was empty or if it was mostly full? I could put some old milk bottles filled with water in to make up for the lack of food. The fridge-freeze is over 10 years old so not terribly efficient. Thanks!

Each time the freezer door is opened warmer air will get in, which will require some use of energy to get the temperature down to the required level.

If you never/rarely open the door then it isn't much of an issue.

If you regularly open the door then reducing the volume of 'free air' will reduce the amount of warmer air that can enter.  You could do that by freezing 'stuff'.  But it would work just as well if you fill the space with trapped air or other materials.  E.g. empty plastic boxes with lids on, the milk bottles with air (not water) in them, plastic bags stuffed with old newspapers etc.

Peggy0628

Ultrasonic said:

Why don't you use the freezer? If the goal is to save money then making use of the freezer may actually be the way to go...

Why don't I use the freezer? Because I don't have anything to put in it. I always plan meals for the week ahead and eat everything within a few days so there is nothing left to freeze... My last week's food shop was £8.85.