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Freezers come in
two styles – chest (box-like with an upward-opening door) and
upright (like a single -door refrigerator) and range in size from
4 to 25 cubic feet, with variable features such as adjustable
shelves and bins.
Chest freezers
are very energy efficient and cost the least to operate. They
require no fan to circulate the cold air, and little cold air
escapes when the door is opened. On the con side, chest freezers
take up more space than an upright, and their open design can make
it difficult to locate items, which are generally stacked one upon
another.
Upright freezers
take up less floor space and offer greater convenience in terms of
food storage and retrieval. However, they are less efficient than
chest models, as cold air escapes and warm air rushes in each time
the door is opened, making the upright freezer work harder to
maintain a constant temperature.
You can maximize
the efficiency of your fridge and freezer by following these
simple guidelines:
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Place your refrigerator and freezer away from
heat sources like the oven, dishwasher and windows.
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Set the temperature in your refrigerator to
between 2°C and 4°C (36°F and 38°F)
and your freezer to between -15°C
and -18°C
(4°F
and 0°F).
-
Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are
placed at least 8 mm (3 inches) from the wall to provide
adequate air circulation and ensure they can operate properly.
-
Keep your freezer at least two-thirds full to
ensure it operates at peak efficiency.
-
Defrost your freezer when the ice-build-up
exceeds one quarter-inch.
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