Unplug the fridge?
February 11,2009
If you’re reading this blog, you probably recycle, keep the thermostat low, and agonize over your gas mileage. But are you ready to live without a refrigerator? A recent article in the New York Times describes the pros and cons of fridge-free living, a move endorsed by one vanguard of the green movement. These people shop often, are strategic about food choices and storage (coolers! windowsills!), and know what stuff (butter! eggs!) doesn’t have to be refrigerated. And they save energy.
But how much energy? Refrigerators consume about 8% of the electricity in an average home — way less than heating and cooling systems, for starters. Other environmentalists maintain that ditching the fridge actually increases overall energy consumption, because of food waste, the cost of food and packaging, and time and travel. Does it make sense for big families to unplug? What about switching to a mini-fridge? Going freezer-only? Check out the well-informed commentary on environmentalist Deanna Duke’s Crunchy Chicken blog and tell us where you stand.
