Comments on: Ways to Save #12: Fill Up the Freezer http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/ Family, Marriage, Finances & Life Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mr. Debtbeater http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/comment-page-1/#comment-20557 Mr. Debtbeater Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:54:44 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/#comment-20557 I'm not sure about the inner workings of the freezers, but I grew up always keeping the deep freeze in the garage full of something simply because the more frozen things you have in there during a power outage, the longer everything would stay frozen before thawing. It's always been a rule of thumb for us, but perhaps it's like the big pile of snow in the parking lot lasting a month because everything under the top 1ft doesn't need to be cooled any longer to stay there. The only thing you really need to keep cool is the part exposed to the outside. The rest just stays as cold as its surroundings. I’m not sure about the inner workings of the freezers, but I grew up always keeping the deep freeze in the garage full of something simply because the more frozen things you have in there during a power outage, the longer everything would stay frozen before thawing.

It’s always been a rule of thumb for us, but perhaps it’s like the big pile of snow in the parking lot lasting a month because everything under the top 1ft doesn’t need to be cooled any longer to stay there. The only thing you really need to keep cool is the part exposed to the outside. The rest just stays as cold as its surroundings.

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/comment-page-1/#comment-20545 Clever Dude Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:23:25 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/#comment-20545 Well Matt, that's your homework for tonight. I expect a post on your site by morning with the answer :) No really, go to your room and do your homework. Well Matt, that’s your homework for tonight. I expect a post on your site by morning with the answer :)

No really, go to your room and do your homework.

]]> By: Matt http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/comment-page-1/#comment-20541 Matt Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:13:31 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/#comment-20541 I'm all for saving money and saving energy but this seems a bit on the excessive side. How much money can you possibly save by going to all this effort? I’m all for saving money and saving energy but this seems a bit on the excessive side. How much money can you possibly save by going to all this effort?

]]> By: Michael http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/comment-page-1/#comment-20537 Michael Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:20:51 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/content/ways-to-save-12-fill-up-the-freezer/#comment-20537 This is good advice but make sure not to take it to the extreme. Your freezer especially, depends on air circulation to work properly. If you block off the areas where circulation is designed to occur you could prevent the machine from working efficiently. Each model is different but there's areas where the freezer air is sent to the fridge, usually by method of a fan. Leaving some air space around here will actually increase efficiency, as more air can circulate, making the fan work less, and also extending the life of the fan. Another thing to keep an eye on for efficiency of the machine is to vacuum the vents on the bottom at least twice a year, probably more often if you have pets. Since it's pulling air in, it's also pulling in dust, and over time, the vents will get blocked, causing the motor to again have to work harder. This is good advice but make sure not to take it to the extreme. Your freezer especially, depends on air circulation to work properly. If you block off the areas where circulation is designed to occur you could prevent the machine from working efficiently. Each model is different but there’s areas where the freezer air is sent to the fridge, usually by method of a fan. Leaving some air space around here will actually increase efficiency, as more air can circulate, making the fan work less, and also extending the life of the fan.

Another thing to keep an eye on for efficiency of the machine is to vacuum the vents on the bottom at least twice a year, probably more often if you have pets. Since it’s pulling air in, it’s also pulling in dust, and over time, the vents will get blocked, causing the motor to again have to work harder.

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