Kitten asks:Cutting down on energy that is always being used (fridge)?

I've been told that some electrical devices are drawing power even when they are turned off, because they are plugged in. Unplug anything that doesn't need to be on constantly.

will save any energy really.. you'll need to set it higher when you switch it back on, to make it cool enough for food.. and it is a health risk..

Keep your Fridge and Freezer full, and wrap up food and cover up any liquids. Not only will uncovered foods dry out and ruin the taste, but the moisture that is released causes the fridge's compressor to work harder. Make sure your fridge is in the coolest part of the kitchen away from direct sun and ovens or heaters etc. The ambient temeprature will make your fridge work harder to maintain the correct temp inside.

the freezer with extra ice cubes is a good idea too. Then if you need more freezer space you can just take them out. You must take care to stack your products in an efficient way so that there are not loads of gaps between things for air to circulate and raise the temperature.

A freezer or refridgerator utilizes the process of removal of heat (BTU's) from a given object. Cold is not added. Heat is removed. An efficient unit is one that best removes heat. Keep it full, closed, with a note on the door that might say "We're not cooling the neighborhood!"

that is a very good question you have asked kitten...I know how things like the refrigerator need to be switched on all the time...all I can suggest is if you are planning to go out somewhere for a few days...do clean, keep the door of the fridge open and switch it off...this way a little bit of energy is saved and the fridge is ready to be use once you return....

I have seen some new, greener refrigerators that use so much less energy to run. They are expensive, but the money you'll save in the long run will even it out. The good you'll be doing for the environment is even better.

I have been told that the fuller the freezer, the more efficiently it will run. We make extra ice cubes and store them in large bags in the freezer to fill it up.

I've heard that turning applicances, and lights, off and on use more energy than just leaving them running constantly.

certainly the case with flourescent lights among other things Chris.. the power is used mostly by the 'ignition' that switches them on.