As electricity bills continue to rise and more people turn towards offgrid living, the use of chest freezers as efficient refrigeration units has become increasingly popular. By converting a chest freezer into a fridge0, individuals can reduce their energy consumption and save money in the long run.
Efficiency is the key reason why chest freezers make great fridge0 units. When the door of a traditional fridge is opened, cold air escapes and warm air enters, which causes the unit to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. With a chest freezer, the cold air stays inside, which means less energy is required to keep the unit cool.
Organizing groceries in a chest freezer is also easier, as there are no shelves to contend with. Items can be easily stacked on top of each other, making it simple to access whatever is needed. In addition, chest freezers tend to have more internal space than traditional fridges, which means more groceries can be stored.
As long as a chest freezer is AC powered, it can be used as a fridge0. New models, such as the Frigidare model #FFFC09M1RW, use only 138 watts; older models may use more energy, but can still be used with a slight reduction in efficiency.
It is recommended to put the fridge outside or in an unheated area during the winter, as this can help reduce energy consumption. However, it's important to check with the manufacturer first, as not all chest freezers are suitable for use in below freezing temperatures.
Joey Hess, a user of a converted chest freezer as a fridge0, recommends putting the unit on the porch. While it may not be ideal during the summer, it has proven to be a good idea during the winter when the unit doesn't need to run as often.
If the fridge is running when power is disconnected and then reconnected, it may not immediately start back up. This is because the motor/compressor may be too warm and require time to cool down. However, this doesn't cause any problems with the fridge0.
As more people look towards offgrid living and reducing their carbon footprint, the use of chest freezers as fridge0 units is likely to become more common. With their efficiency, easy organization, and ability to reduce energy consumption, they offer a simple solution to a complex problem.