Operation tips for freezers
Check the gaskets.
Clean the rubber gaskets on freezer doors regularly and make sure they seal tightly. Try this test: Close the freezer door on a dollar bill and then pull on the dollar. If it slides out easily, then the seal isn’t tight. You might want to replace it. Find instructions on replacing a freezer gasket on the HGTV website.
Choose an energy-saving setting.
Set the temperature between zero and five degrees. Setting the temperature just 10 degrees lower than that can use up to 25 percent more energy.
Defrost your freezer.
Defrost your freezer before frost builds up to 1/4 inch — this keeps the freezer operating efficiently.
Keep your freezer full.
Full freezers run more efficiently. To fill space, fill empty milk jugs about two-thirds full with water (because it will expand as it freezes) and place in the freezer.
Do you really need a freezer?
If you store a lot of food for your family, it probably makes sense. But if you don’t, you could save plenty of energy by recycling it. Recycle your old freezer and get $40 cash back* from Energy Trust of Oregon. They will even pick it up for free! If it’s empty now, but you’re not sure if you want to get rid of it yet, clean it out and unplug it; you can save $5 to $10 a month depending on the freezer’s size and age.
Shop for energy savings
- Buy only the size you need. Generally, the larger the freezer, the more energy it uses. See our appliance shopping guide for more tips.
- Choose ENERGY STAR®. ENERGY STAR qualified freezer models use at least 10 percent less energy than required by current federal standards.
* When scheduling over the phone or online, please refer to promotion code PGE410.