Freezing Electricity Consumption

Our household has one under counter fridge in the house, a fridge freezer and an under counter freezer in the garage, both are over ten years old. For about a week I have been contemplating purchasing a new tall freezer to replace those that are in the garage, as an environmental and financially sound idea. Today I ordered a Hotpoint RZA54G graphite tall freezer with an energy rating of A, from the product specifications it should use approximately 257kWh per year. Using statistics I researched previously, due to the age of the appliances I have they could use up to four times the energy as the new energy efficient models. Thus I believe the new purchase could prevent me using 750kWh a year and 380kg of CO2 emissions through electricity generation (even though I am on a green tariff, but the less green energy I use, the more for someone else). Assuming my calculations are correct, the freezer will have paid for itself in less than four years through reduced electricity consumption.

Find energy saving washing machines, fridges, heating, lighting and televisions.

But the purchase also poses another question, what to do with my old appliances, as fridges are covered by WEEE, they need to be recycled in a controlled manner, as they always should even before WEEE. Curry's, a leading UK electrics retailer recently launched their free delivery and recycling service with a purchase of A rated energy efficient appliances over £249. Tesco also offer a collection service for an additional fee to that of the appliance, approximately £12.

However a phone call to your local council maybe all that is necessary for a free-of-charge collection of your unwanted bulky household items for recycling. My local council offers this service, however demand is often high and you may need to wait several weeks before collection. Find your Local Council.

My local council area, Lisburn City Council recycled 42.68 tonnes of fridges and freezers between January and March 2006.