“Clean the refrigerator door rubber”: This is how you use your refrigerator and freezer efficiently | My guide

It all starts with the right settings. “Six temperatures are good for keeping everything in your refrigerator,” DeCock says. “Be careful with older refrigerators that are cooled only along the back wall. In this case, it is better to place products that need to be kept extra cold on the back wall or at the bottom of the refrigerator, because it is a little cooler there. With newer refrigerators, You will not be disturbed by these temperature fluctuations.The fan creates air flow there, so that the temperature is the same everywhere.

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Refrigerators and freezers must be able to dissipate the heat they generate. Therefore, ventilation is crucial. “Place freestanding refrigerators in a well-ventilated area where the heat produced by the appliance can escape easily,” says DeCock. “Don't put the refrigerator in a room that's too warm, because that will make it more difficult. Rooms that are too cold aren't ideal either, because it will work less efficiently.

Built-in devices require additional care. “The cabinets in which the refrigerators are installed are equipped with mesh at the top and bottom that will help create air flow,” continues Decock. “It's important to clean those grates every now and then so they can do their job.”

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The cleaner device will use less energy. “Clean the refrigerator regularly to make sure no paper or other debris sticks to the back wall. This can lead to ice formation, making the refrigerator perform less well,” Decock advises. “You should defrost your freezers regularly: then you consume less. Modern appliances are equipped with the No Frost system and are much less affected by this problem.

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It is also important that the refrigerator or freezer door closes smoothly. “Clean the rubber of the refrigerator door, so that air does not get in,” Decock continues. “With built-in refrigerators, the doors can start to sag over time. Pay attention to this and tighten the hinges to avoid air leakage.

If you've just gone shopping, it's a good idea to gather all the products that need to be in the refrigerator and then put them together, DeCock says. “Some refrigerators are equipped with a special shopping button. “If you press it, the refrigerator will quickly bring everything to the right temperature,” he adds.

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If you need to replace your old refrigerator or freezer or if you want to invest in a new energy-efficient appliance, you should pay special attention to the energy label. “This label says it all about the power consumption of any device,” Decock says. “Energy labels were replaced in March 2021 with new, more stringent European labels. You will not find refrigerators labeled A++: today, the majority of new appliances on offer are labeled D.” Here we list everything you need to know about the energy label.

Choose a new device that suits your needs. “Don't buy a refrigerator or freezer that's too big,” he warns. “An empty fridge takes more than a full one. If the kids are out of the house or the fridge is always half empty, it's worth choosing a smaller version. Decock concludes with a piece of advice. “If you buy a new fridge, don't put the old one in the garage to cool drinks. This way, this energy guzzler continues to terrorize your electricity bill.

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