Take a look in your kitchen. That hulking refrigerator is a major resident of your home. Not only does it take up plenty of space, but it's likely to be the single highest energy user as well. Many of us have perfectly functional older refrigerators. And surely it makes green sense to keep using the same appliance rather than creating more landfill waste and requiring resources to manufacture a replacement?

However, depending on the age of your fridge, investing in a new model might make better sense - from an environmental point of view. Refrigerators manufactured before 2001 are much less energy efficient. An average 1990 version may also release more than 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. In recent years, an international energy-rating program known as Energy Star allows consumers to compare different appliances. In Canada, a refrigerator must exceed government energy standards by 15 percent,  while the US standard must be exceeded by 20 percent.

More effective compressors, changing cooling coil design, better insulation, and tighter door seals are all contributing to fridge efficiency. Choosing a model can be more than just aesthetics. For a start, choose the right size appliance for your needs - running when half-empty or overcrowded means a lot of energy gone to waste. Looking at the three available configurations is another consideration - refrigerators with top freezers are the most energy-efficient. Bottom-freezer models come next, while side-by-side versions use from 7 to 13 percent more energy.

Another consideration is the need for repair. Again, top-freezer models come at the top - requiring less repair on average. Those side-by-side combinations need more repair. If staying environmentally friendly is a priority, then pass on automatic icemakers. They can increase energy consumption by a staggering 14 to 20 percent.

Whatever you do, try to cut down on the number of appliances in your home. Roughly a quarter of all Canadian homes have more than one refrigerator. Consider a larger model rather than using a small refrigerator and separate chest freezer.

There are everyday things that can help lower your fridge’s energy consumption:
• Keep the refrigerator temperature around 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit). The freezer should be -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Keep the freezer full, as frozen items will maintain colder temperatures. But don’t let ice build-up more than roughly half a centimetre thick.
• Do regular maintenance by cleaning the coils, clearing the top to ensure air flow, and checking that door seals are intact. A refrigerator on easy-rolling wheels will allow access for cleaning, as well as letting you adjust its location to ensure good air circulation on all sides.
• Discourage foraging with the fridge door open - it lets out all the cold air and requires more energy.
• Keep the fridge away from warm locations like near a sunny window, heating vent, stove, or dishwasher.
• Don’t overfill the door and shelves.
• Recycle your older - or second - refrigerator.

Photo credit: Carolyn Coles