Saving tips: freezer

01Choosing the right freezer

The most economical freezers use about 35 euros' worth of energy a year. A freezer that is seven years old easily costs seventy euros a year in electricity. It is therefore important to buy an economical freezer and to replace that old freezer after all. In the end, that investment is then recouped anyway. When buying a new freezer, it is important to pay attention to the energy label. A freezer with energy label A is the most economical, a freezer with energy label G the least.

Saving in combination with a long lifespan

A freezer often has a long lifespan, which is why most households still have an old freezer. The older the freezer, the higher its energy consumption. Yet there are also ways to save even more if you have already bought a new freezer.

We therefore recommend taking action immediately when ice forms. A layer of 2 mm on the freezing element easily results in as much as ten per cent extra energy consumption. That is why good maintenance of the freezer is really advisable. There are also handy tips for defrosting the freezer efficiently, which saves some extra energy again. For example, by placing a pan of hot water in the freezer compartment. Or defrost the freezer when it is freezing outside, so the products can be kept outside in the cold in the meantime. That way we make optimal use of the opportunities nature offers us, while in turn we help nature through the energy saving.

Also always make sure the door seal works well so that the cold air does not escape. If it does, warm air gets in, causing the freezer to warm up and therefore need more energy. It is easy to check whether a freezer's seals are still good: put a torch in the freezer and switch it on. If you see light escaping from the gaps around the door, the seals need replacing.

Also pay attention to the size of the freezer. It is probably not necessary to buy a freezer with a capacity of 500 litres for a two-person household. The larger the capacity of the freezer, the more it will consume. In general, it is recommended to allow around 50 litres of net capacity per person.

For a large family, a chest freezer is worth considering. A chest freezer uses up to 15% less energy. Unlike an upright freezer with drawers, however, the products are less easy to organise. The lower consumption is because cold air is heavier than warm air. With a chest freezer, the cold air therefore stays in the chest when the lid is opened, whereas with an upright freezer the cold air is lost immediately.

Economical freezers are more expensive, but this investment can be recouped in the long term through energy savings. Where possible, it is therefore worth considering buying a more expensive but more economical freezer.

All saving tips at a glance

Besides choosing an economical freezer, there are also other ways to save on energy consumption.

Defrost the freezer regularly

Ice forming in the freezer causes much higher energy consumption. A thin layer of ice can already increase consumption enormously. So defrost the freezer regularly. Those who dread defrosting are better off choosing a freezer with no-frost technology. The disadvantage is that this technology itself also uses energy, although it is still better than using a freezer full of ice. A possible happy medium can be found in low-frost freezers. These freezers still need to be defrosted now and then, but ice formation is slowed by up to 80% and energy consumption is lower than with a no-frost freezer.

Keep the freezer closed as much as possible

The difference between the outside temperature and the temperature in the freezer is very large. When the freezer is open for a moment, a great deal of cold escapes. It then takes a lot of energy to get the freezer back to temperature.

Make sure the door has good seals

The seals on the inside of the door have an important insulating function. With poor seals, cold continuously escapes from the freezer. As a result, the freezer has to cool harder to stay at temperature. This costs a great deal of energy.

Don't put warm food in the freezer

Warm food can push up the temperature in the freezer considerably, so that the freezer has to cool extra. Let warm food first cool to room temperature, then put it in the fridge for a while and only then in the freezer. Also divide it into smaller portions. This makes defrosting easier. Of course, an exception can be made for ice cubes. Water freezes faster when it is warm and it also makes the ice cubes much clearer.

Place the freezer properly

Energy consumption can be saved by placing the freezer in the right way. It is important that a freezer is exactly level. It is also important that there is space between the wall and the back of the freezer. The back of the freezer generates heat. This heat must be able to escape. If the freezer is too close to the wall, this heat lingers, with the result that the freezer warms up. Of course, it is also not a good idea to place your freezer right next to your freestanding oven, dishwasher or cooker.

Don't set the freezer too cold

In practice, many people seem to set their freezer too cold, needlessly using up to 15% more energy. In practice, a temperature of -18°C really is cold enough. If the freezer does not have a built-in thermometer, we recommend investing in one. Such a thermometer is available for as little as 2 euros and pays for itself in no time.

Pack the freezer nice and full

A full freezer uses less energy than an empty freezer. There is then less air that has to be cooled and that is immediately replaced by warm air when the door opens. So fill empty spaces with plastic bottles of water or with polystyrene.

Clean the freezer regularly

This tip is not only there for hygienic reasons, but is also useful in terms of energy. By cleaning and dusting the coil grille at the back of the freezer, the freezer will work more efficiently. Of course, this is only possible with a freestanding model.

Organise your freezer smartly

This is not only more pleasant to use, but also ensures that the door does not need to stay open unnecessarily long. For example, work with labels, create structure using drawers and place the food that is needed sooner or more often at the front of the freezer. Also note straight away when the food went into the freezer, because even in the freezer it does not keep forever. Pork, for example, spoils after six to eight months in the freezer.

Make sure nothing presses against the door

Sometimes the freezer is so full that the door only closes with some pushing. However, this is not a good idea, because it means the contents are constantly putting pressure on the door. As a result, there are probably small gaps through which the cold can escape.

02Frequently asked questions about saving on the freezer

Want to save energy on the freezer, but not sure how? Do you have questions about the best way to save energy on the freezer? Then be sure to read on, because in this FAQ we answer numerous questions about saving energy with the freezer.

Yes, but then immerse the thermometer in a glass of vegetable oil and leave it in the freezer for 12 hours. Otherwise the air temperature is measured, where the difference can be as much as 10°C.