Does the carbon cost of new fridges and freezers outweigh the efficiency carbon savings?

cashferret

[Note: I've edited both the title and the text to make my question clearer!)

My 15-year-old fridge and freezer still work fine but I want to save the planet!

I know that new models will be much more energy-efficient but what about the embodied carbon in the new appliances? Will that outweigh the carbon savings from efficiency?

I've searched on the net but all the discussions are about saving money, not carbon.

Thanks in advance for any help!

EcoScruples

If it were me then I'd work out exactly how much energy my current ones use and compare that against a new model. 
I don't know how much waste is produced when throwing out an old one but maybe if they're in good nick then you could sell them on?

It may not be cost effective to buy new ones but if it's the planet you're  trying to save then maybe just go for it.

cashferret

Thanks, EcoScruples - I see my original post wasn't very clear, so sorry! My concern isn't the waste but the embodied carbon in the new items that I would buy. 

70sbudgie

The WEEE regs mean producers have to provide the option to take away your old appliances, for reuse / recycling. So when choosing your new equipment, perhaps it is worth also taking into account what the producer does with the old appliance.

They should tell you this.

thevilla

When purchasing a new freezer to replace a 15 year old one make sure you get the storage space you need.  More insulation takes the space where food used to go.  I fell foul of that some years ago and ended up having to buy another!

QrizB

cashferret said:

I know that new models will be much more energy-efficient but what about the embodied carbon in the new appliances? Will that outweigh the carbon savings from efficiency?

This website suggests that the embodied energy in a (large) fridge is around 1600kWh:

https://wattwatchers.com.au/why-you-may-need-to-buy-a-new-energy-efficient-fridge-to-save-money/

It links out to another site that I haven't explored.

Do you know how much energy your current appliances use, and what a modern equivalent would use instead? You can then work out how long it takes to save the "cost" of a new one.