Refrigerator Buying Tips and Deals at Home Depot, Sears and Amazon

Ioanna FotopoulouAlabama WISE

If a new refrigerator on your holiday wish list, AlabamaWISE has found the best deals on the most energy efficient ice-boxes around so you can double your savings with low acquisition cost and the lowest operational cost. 

The following models cost at least 30% less to operate because they save 30% or more energy than federal regulations require. Most are available in Alabama at Home Depot or Sears Outlet and range in price from $775-$2400.

We’ve recommended refrigerators with a minimum 25 cubic feet of interior space to help you avoid the costly trap of a second refrigerator in your garage or basement. The common practice of moving an old ice box to the garage, could double the annual energy bill for keeping food cold, even when the new unit is highly efficient. The garage is typically much warmer than your home for much of the year and now that old, inefficient refrigeration system will need even more energy to maintain cold temperatures. The best solution is to make sure the new fridge has plenty of room for all your needs.

Go Beyond Energy Star Standards

While AlabamaWISE is an Energy Star program for homes, when it comes to appliances, we recommend purchasing the most efficient refrigerators available as rated by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. CEE has been influencing markets to accelerate uptake of increasingly efficient goods and services. Tier 3 of CEE list of super efficient refrigerators are 30% to 60% more efficient than required by law, and 15% to 45% more efficient than the minimum Energy Star standards.

Samsung Bottom Freezer model RF261BIAESR, 25.50 cubic feet., energy constumption 398kwH/year, no ice maker, 34% more efficient than federal regulations, 4.5 star rating, $2,099 on sale at Home Depot

LG, Bottom Freezer,model LFC25776, 25.00 cubic feet,energy consumptions 416 kwH/year, 30% more efficient than federal regulation, no ice maker, $1429 at Amazon through the AlabamaWISE store.

Samsung Bottom Freezer model RF263B*AE**,25.60 cubic feet,annual energy consumption 475 kwH/year, 31% more efficient than federal standards, with ice maker, $2,399 at Home Depot.

Samsung Side-by-Side, model RS263TD**, 25.48 cubic feet, 502 kwH/year, 31% more efficient than federal regulations, with ice maker, $779.99 – $1,119 on sale at Sears Outlet.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has published refrigerator ownership tips:

  • Check Door Seals: Check the door seals or gaskets on your refrigerator/freezer. You can do this by putting a dollar bill in the door as you close it and see if it holds firmly in place. Or, put a bright flashlight inside the refrigerator and direct the light toward a section of the door seal. With the door closed and the room darkened, inspect for light through the crack.
  • Adjust the Thermostat: The refrigerator compartment should be kept between 36°F and 38°F, and the freezer compartment between 0°F and 5°F.
  • Move the Refrigerator to a Cooler Location: If your refrigerator is in the sunlight or next to your stove or dishwasher, it has to work harder to maintain cool temperatures.
  • Check Power-Saver Switch: Many refrigerators have small heaters built into the walls to prevent moisture from condensing

Read about the 1930 GE monitor top refrigerator, pictured above, which used less energy than most modern models.

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