We’re all interested in saving money and helping the planet too. That’s what Go Green and Save Green is all about.

This is the first in a series of articles about saving energy in your home and office.

Like other appliances that heat and cool, refrigerators and freezers are big energy users and have to be “on” all the time

* A new refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR®-label is at least twenty percent more efficient than new conventional models and forty percent more efficient than an older conventional model sold in 2001.

* Make sure the seals on your refrigerator and freezer fit tightly. A door seal leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep food cold. Test the seal by closing the door over a piece of paper that is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal replaced.

* Vacuum and clean condenser coils on your refrigerator twice a year. Make sure to leave space between the refrigerator and surrounding walls to allow air to circulate.

* Be sure to place your refrigerator away from appliances that generate heat, such as ovens and dishwashers. Otherwise the refrigerator will have to work much harder to cool and its efficiency will decrease.

* Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Check temperature settings by placing a thermometer in the appliance for one hour. Refrigerator temperature should be 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature should be 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

From “66 Ways to Save Energy”: http://www.lipower.org/residential/efficiency/53ways.html