Is your refrigerator running?
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4 members have voted
Probably doesn't answer your question but energy costs do add up over time even if it is $10 dollars a month.
Its best to separate the things with green stuff growing on them from those with white stuff growing on them.
If you have so much in leftovers you are preparing too much food to start with.
You don't need no electricity. Just rig it up so that creek water flows thru the copper tubing and stuff will stay cool enough.
Quote: BozThe amazing thing about fridges these days is how energy efficient they are compared to old models.
the old refrigerators would run for decades - the new ones about 12 years on average [a seller told me, I wonder what the facts are]
when it is claimed that the new ones are more energy efficient, it ignores the energy cost of manufacturing, which apparently is enormous. It might be a wash at best between these two parts of the equation. Another equation in question is how much money is saved when the appliances don't last.
I'm fairly confident appliances are a cheaper now compared to yesteryear if you use constant dollars, I'll concede that point.
BTW I have had really bad luck with appliances and have spent a fortune replacing ones that didnt last at all, so that is coloring my view of the glory of the new ones. In particular I resent not being able to buy simpler appliances that don't have the electronic controls. I'll even say it is near criminal to use touch-screen technology as so many do, as that is far from trouble-free as casino personnel can tell you.
There was no planned obsolescence back then.
And no hidden energy loads of clocks and anti-frost devices that heat the refrigerator in order to eliminate frosting.
Try to avoid appliances designed for residential use and get appliances intended for commercial use. Functional, sturdy and cheaper in the long run.
Quote: onenickelmiracleRemember when refrigerators killed kids? It was actually scary, many kids died when they could get in, but they couldn't get out(like roach traps).
yes. People would have an old one in the garage or somewhere and have the shelves out, to do something else with them ... sad.
Defunct reefers have almost killed me too ->
https://www.google.com/#q=apoplectic+definition
Quote: MaxPenIf it's running you better catch it before it gets away.
Was waiting for someone to say this.... this was an old prank phone call line we could do before the days of caller ID.
Research the energy costs. There are huge differences.
For one apartment I lived in, the refrigerator was 1/3 of the electric bill.
It may be worthwhile for people with older large refrigerators to buy new ones.
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For the super-frugal, you might consider having "no" fridge.
Pick up groceries every day from supermarkets & farmer's markets (e.g. use the 24-hr Wal-Mart/Safeway grocery store as your fridge).
Tricky part is if you like butter....or tiny items which need refrigeration.
Quote: onenickelmiracleRemember when refrigerators killed kids? It was actually scary, many kids died when they could get in, but they couldn't get out(like roach traps).
I thought those were just freezers...and garage freezers with the doors that open like lids probably still do. (The last time I saw this referenced on TV was an episode of Punky Brewster.) Presumably, "back in the day," people would buy meat in bulk and keep it in a freezer in the garage. There was an occasional PSA asking people that had unused freezers to remove the doors.
Among the many childrens books such as Some Kittens Can Fly and How Mr. Fork Met Ms. Electrical Outlet, there is my favorite, The Magic World Inside The Abandoned Refrigerator.
Chest freezers are more efficient since they lose less cold air upon each opening.
Luxury homes usually have remote units so the refrigerator is handy but its noise making machinery is elsewhere.
Quote: onenickelmiracleIs a mini fridge a waste of money if you have a refrigerator already? I saw some for sale only $30 at a used store, they're all refurbished I think. I'm thinking about getting one because Id like to be a little more organized and these days so many things need to stay refrigerated for safety's sake, the fridge gets cluttered. Having a mini fridge, to put left overs in, I'm hoping to reduce waste and overcome wasted electricity costs. What's a good idea, fridge, minifridge, chest freezer. My refrigerator just broke, kind of scared about reliability these days, but nothing can be done about that. Might go used hoping to get a few years at a low price gambling a new fridge might last just as long.
Good timing on your question! We just took delivery yesterday of a new refrigerator to replace a 20 year old one so I've been doing a bit of homework on this topic recently. We also have a mini-fridge (left over from when our daughter was in college) and a full freezer in the basement.
As far as energy costs, all the ads mention the Energy star ratings but the new measurement standard is the CEE Tier (1,2, or 3). The higher the better. But that rating only looks at the efficiency of the insulation, the compressor, etc. IMHO a big advantage of the new designs is much less loss of cold air when you open the door. One reason is the split doors and door-in-door design but the other is its way easier to find stuff so you don't have the door wide open while you try to find the yogurt that is behind the milk that is behind the OJ. Being better organized should reduce energy cost and having all three appliances also helps in that way. We've only had it one day but I'll be interested to see is there is any noticeable change in our electric bill next month.
Quote: onenickelmiracleRemember when refrigerators killed kids? It was actually scary, many kids died when they could get in, but they couldn't get out(like roach traps).
One of my favorites,
Anthony Jeselnik
About a month ago some kids in my neighborhood were playing hide-and-go-seek and one of them ended up in an abandoned refrigerator. It's all anybody talked about for weeks. I said, 'Who cares? "How many kids you know get to die a winner?'"
Me too, But I just wanted to know who was the least creative person on the forum(make that the least creative person in the world). (-;Quote: rsactuaryWas waiting for someone to say this.....
I watched it the other day after you posted or I would have never thought of it. They used to have commercials warning kids back in the day never to climb in one. They certainly were death traps, no kid would ever think they could climb in and not get out. Hundreds died.Quote: AxelWolfOne of my favorites,
Anthony Jeselnik
About a month ago some kids in my neighborhood were playing hide-and-go-seek and one of them ended up in an abandoned refrigerator. It's all anybody talked about for weeks. I said, 'Who cares? "How many kids you know get to die a winner?'"
Makes me think maybe a full sized refrigerator and a separate full sized freezer might be the way to go. People don't really need to get into the freezer too often, might be good enough having it out of the way.Quote: TumblingBonesGood timing on your question! We just took delivery yesterday of a new refrigerator to replace a 20 year old one so I've been doing a bit of homework on this topic recently. We also have a mini-fridge (left over from when our daughter was in college) and a full freezer in the basement.
As far as energy costs, all the ads mention the Energy star ratings but the new measurement standard is the CEE Tier (1,2, or 3). The higher the better. But that rating only looks at the efficiency of the insulation, the compressor, etc. IMHO a big advantage of the new designs is much less loss of cold air when you open the door. One reason is the split doors and door-in-door design but the other is its way easier to find stuff so you don't have the door wide open while you try to find the yogurt that is behind the milk that is behind the OJ. Being better organized should reduce energy cost and having all three appliances also helps in that way. We've only had it one day but I'll be interested to see is there is any noticeable change in our electric bill next month.
It's such a pain having so many condiments, sauces, etc., but you have to in case the factory was less than careful with sanitary bottling and ingredients. You can keep 999 bottles on the shelf, but the 1000th might kill you or make you very sick.
Shopping for refrigerators really stresses me out, pretty sure most people dread it. We got a tiny mini fridge used for $20 to give us time to decide and will probably buy a friends spare just to have more time. Procrastination as it is, we'll probably wait until that one breaks.
How many winners?Quote: onenickelmiracleI watched it the other day after you posted or I would have never thought of it. They used to have commercials warning kids back in the day never to climb in one. They certainly were death traps, no kid would ever think they could climb in and not get out. Hundreds died.
His humor gets old really fast. It could have been you if you were born at the wrong time.Quote: AxelWolfHow many winners?
Quote: AxelWolfMe too, But I just wanted to know who was the least creative person on the forum(make that the least creative person in the world). (-;
I'm only creative when it counts. You ought to see my tax deductions. 🤓
Quote: onenickelmiracleI actually forgot how small a mini fridge actually was inside, there isn't even room to put a gallon of milk inside standing straight up, not room for a plate, so storing left overs the way I imagined wont even work. Had two leftover hotdogs and had to store them in a coffee mug. I had had used one in college and forgot all about it.
Must be a tiny mini fridge, I think the standard one's can fit gallons.
I will say that new appliances are pretty damn efficient. I bought a small 3 bedroom house with all brand new HVAC, Hot Water, and Appliances (all electric). My power bill is $100 in the summer/winter when the AC and Heat is cranked, and about $70 during spring/fall.
Quote: odiousgambitthe old refrigerators would run for decades - the new ones about 12 years on average [a seller told me, I wonder what the facts are]
Ours was new in 1991, it's still running fine. We have never cleaned the coils, and we sweep underneath it about once every 5 years.
Mosca, do you still have Prince Albert in a can ?
Not so funny story. My Uncle Dick was a cop. My cousin Mike was making prank phone calls, Just refrigerator and Prince Albert stuff.. Got busted, put Uncle Dick's service revolver under chin, blew off half his face. For years after that every Xmas sent cash to Uncle Dick for medical bills instead of presents for Mike. Uncle Dick was a real DICK !
Quote: MoscaQuote: odiousgambitthe old refrigerators would run for decades - the new ones about 12 years on average [a seller told me, I wonder what the facts are]
Ours was new in 1991, it's still running fine. We have never cleaned the coils, and we sweep underneath it about once every 5 years.
These days if you can get one to last, you win big [and maybe 1991 was a dividing line?]
Quote: google page[average life] 9 years for a compact fridge and 13 years for a normal one
https://www.google.com/#q=how+long+does+the+average+appliance+last
Quote: Mosca
Ours was new in 1991, it's still running fine. We have never cleaned the coils, and we sweep underneath it about once every 5 years.
You sure it's plugged in?
Why is that, did you find a way to deduct all your visits to the local LV gay bathhouses and your conspiracy theories magazine subscriptions?Quote: MaxPenYou ought to see my tax deductions. 🤓
Quote: babanas2017Mosca, do you still have Prince Albert in a can ?
Reminds me of a joke from the old America 2-Nite series:
Jerry Hubbard (Fred Willard): Do you have Prince Albert in a can?
Tobacco store owner: Yes
Jerry: Good - I'll be right there to buy some.
More on-topic: I bought a new refrigerator in mid-2003, when I moved into my current townhouse. It's still there, and still working. (For that matter, so is the clothes dryer I bought at the same time. The microwave oven and dishwasher that came with the place still work, but they sound like they're on their last legs.)
Quote: AxelWolfWhy is that, did you find a way to deduct all your visits to the local LV gay bathhouses and your conspiracy theories magazine subscriptions?
Conspiracy theory magazine subscriptions. CHECK
Gay bathhouses.NO, but I could show you how to apply that deduction on your returns. 🤓
Refrigerators aren't supposed to be placed outside, so I've heard they run worse than designed because they're not designed to be in non climate control areas. I think that's why our refrigerator croaked because we didn't use our air-conditioning and our house got to be 78-80 inside. Yet yours survived long enough to be considered rather old.Quote: DRichThe refrigerator in my garage is rather old and seems to run 24 hours a day in the summer. I have no idea how to determine how much that is costing me and whether it would be worth it to replace it. Assuming a similar new unit would cost $800 if I could save $20 a month in the summer It would be worth the investment.
To know what it's costing, all I can think is to go back to the year's bills before you moved it into the garage. Maybe there are better ways, dont some companies do energy survey inspections. I think it's most likely dealing with checking for home leaks through walls and windows and not even sure if it's a scammy thing.
Quote: MaxPenIf it's running you better catch it before it gets away.
I did that crank call lots of times as a kid. Stupid joke, but works every time.
Quote: DRichThe refrigerator in my garage is rather old and seems to run 24 hours a day in the summer. I have no idea how to determine how much that is costing me and whether it would be worth it to replace it. Assuming a similar new unit would cost $800 if I could save $20 a month in the summer It would be worth the investment.
What do you use the one the garage for? The one in our garage is mainly used to chill canned drinks and flats of bottled water. I appreciate it when we have lots of people over for parties, but otherwise I think we don't use it to it's full potential and wonder what the convenience is costing me.
Interesting random event: There are times when some bottles of water in the fridge for a long time are frozen solid, while other bottles that were put in at the same time are just chilled. What's up wit that? (This is an early 90's era over/under two door model.)
Quote: WizardI did that crank call lots of times as a kid. Stupid joke, but works every time.
I used to call people up, say I was a radio dj doing a prize contest, and ask them to "name that sound" to win a prize.
Then I'd flush a toilet, and ask them to ID the source of the sound.
Lot of weird guesses: my favorite: "French fries."
Quote: WizardI did that crank call lots of times as a kid. Stupid joke, but works every time.
We used to call up repeatedly and ask for some name like Bob Jones then when we felt the people were getting mad we would have someone else cal and say, "hi, this is Bob Jones any calls for me?"
Oh to be a kid in the 70's and 80's again.
We also used to ask for Susie Wall, John Wall, and any other Wall we could think of until they would get pissed off and say, "There are no walls here stop calling." Then we would say," What's holding up your roof then." Laughing at our own stupidity, I guess.
They must have come from a hotel that upgraded or went under.Quote: gamerfreakMust be a tiny mini fridge, I think the standard one's can fit gallons.
I will say that new appliances are pretty damn efficient. I bought a small 3 bedroom house with all brand new HVAC, Hot Water, and Appliances (all electric). My power bill is $100 in the summer/winter when the AC and Heat is cranked, and about $70 during spring/fall.
Quote: onenickelmiracleRefrigerators aren't supposed to be placed outside, so I've heard they run worse than designed because they're not designed to be in non climate control areas. I think that's why our refrigerator croaked because we didn't use our air-conditioning and our house got to be 78-80 inside. Yet yours survived long enough to be considered rather old.
My garage averages between 90 and 110 in the summer. Right now at 8pm it is 102 in the garage.
Quote: AyecarumbaWhat do you use the one the garage for? The one in our garage is mainly used to chill canned drinks and flats of bottled water. I appreciate it when we have lots of people over for parties, but otherwise I think we don't use it to it's full potential and wonder what the convenience is costing me.
We arethe same as you and only use it for drinks. I doubt if it is opened three times a week normally.
Quote: MaxPenWe used to call up repeatedly and ask for some name like Bob Jones then when we felt the people were getting mad we would have someone else cal and say, "hi, this is Bob Jones any calls for me?"
Oh to be a kid in the 70's and 80's again.
We also used to ask for Susie Wall, John Wall, and any other Wall we could think of until they would get pissed off and say, "There are no walls here stop calling." Then we would say," What's holding up your roof then." Laughing at our own stupidity, I guess.
This is a true story so please no hate mail....
Back in the early 2000's there was a guy in our local phone book with the name "Major Fagg"
Wonder if that was real even if it was in the phone book. There was a guy that managed the tool store named Richard Seaman, dont forget what a nickname for Richard is.Quote: IbeatyouracesThis is a true story so please no hate mail....
Back in the early 2000's there was a guy in our local phone book with the name "Major Fagg"
Quote: onenickelmiracleWonder if that was real even if it was in the phone book. There was a guy that managed the tool store named Richard Seaman, dont forget what a nickname for Richard is.
I worked with a guy with the last name Seamans.
If anyone needed a name change.
Quote:His sister loved her hair. She combed it like a 100 times every night before bed and used special shampoo that the rest of the family wasn’t allowed.
Kurt snuck into her bedroom and began putting pieces of his cut hair in her brush. He’d also put some in the shower. It took a few weeks, but she came out of her room screaming that she was losing her hair and needed to see a doctor.
Quote: IbeatyouracesBack in the early 2000's there was a guy in our local phone book with the name "Major Fagg"
About 20 years ago I worked with an Army Major named Putz. He was actually a really nice guy and didn't deserve the name. None of us every had the nerve to ask Major Putz if he knew what his name meant.
UPDATE: I just googled him and he retired a Colonel. I was sure that, just like Major Major in Catch 22, he would never get promoted
Note: phone listings are often a fictitiously named roommate that does not exist. Its the way some movie stars can have directory listings under weird names.
