Your refrigerator is one of the hardest working appliances in the house. Refrigerators generate about 4% of the average American household’s carbon emissions. That’s not the biggest part of your carbon footprint, but it’s a lot for a single household item. This buyer’s guide can help you decide if you’re due for an appliance upgrade and identifies the greenest refrigerators available to help you make the best choice for your kitchen.
Shopping Guidelines
Refrigerators over 15 years old can cost more than $80 per year to run. On average, an old refrigerator uses about 33% more energy than a current Energy Star fridge. The EPA website suggests replacing most appliances after 10 years, but a calculator for refrigerators will help you figure out if the savings justify the cost of replacement in your case.
A common rule of thumb for refrigerator sizing is 6 cubic feet per person…