Buying a refrigerator? Look out for energy-saving eco-features
The refrigerator is an indispensable item in any household in Singapore, especially with the hot and humid weather. This makes it imperative to invest in a fridge that is suitable for your family’s needs.
Modern features such as in-door ice makers, water dispensers and enhanced compressors will leave you spoilt for choice, but keeping food fresh and costs down should still rank at the top of your priority list.
Energy Savers
Apart from the air-conditioner, the refrigerator is the one item that saps the most energy from your home.
This comes as no surprise, as the fridge is kept switched on 24/7, even when you’re not at home. Because of this, the Singapore government passed an Environmental Protection and Management Act in 2008.
This law ensures that all household energy-guzzlers be affixed with an energy label. This should be the prime consideration when buying a new fridge for your home.
Every Tick Counts
The most recognisable label is the energy tick, which can be found on all refrigerators in Singapore.
These easy-to-understand symbols indicate the machine’s power-consumption capabilities; the more ticks it has, the more energy-efficient it is.
The handy labels simplify the tests that were conducted to measure the refrigerator’s energy consumption, and they make it easier for homeowners to pick a fridge that suits their lifestyle and budget.
Another simple way to check on the environmental standards of a fridge is to make sure that the model you’re eyeing is in accordance with ISO 15502 standards. This international standard is especially useful if you’re buying your refrigerator online or from overseas.
Fresh and Clean
Many refrigerators are now equipped with the relatively new ion technology. This feature is essentially an air-purification technology that keeps bacteria, mould and other airborne microorganisms at bay.
The ion generator in your fridge emits both positive and negative ion clusters.
These ions can reduce contaminants to harmless substances, and therefore your food is kept fresher for a longer period of time.
USEFUL TIPS
Your refrigerator needs to use more energy to cool down its interiors, so there are a couple of ways you can help to bring down the energy usage and subsequently, your electricity bills.
One way is to place your fridge away from direct sunlight so it won’t be affected by ambient heat.
Another tip is to avoid keeping piping hot food in the fridge as you are making your fridge work overtime to keep it cool.
By James Leong
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