You might. There are some easy ways to figure out if it’s time for a new greener fridge, or if you should stick with what you’ve got.
If it’s old: Older refrigerators suck up double the energy of new Energy Star refrigerators. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s older than 12 years, start shopping.
If it’s newer: Even newer fridges may be replaced with a more energy efficient version. Just because it’s new, doesn’t mean you ended up with the most efficient model. Of course this means you’d be giving up a fridge (lots of materials and cost) which is something else to consider. To learn how much money you could save by trading up to a greener fridge, visit the Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator, then decide.
If it’s broken: If there’s a major issue with your fridge, and it’s going to cost a lot to fix PLUS it’s already old, thus less efficient, I wouldn’t pay for the repair. If you can swing it, get a newer fridge.
What’s next?:
Find a recycling center for your old fridge. Visit the Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign or Earth 911 to get started.
You also might be interested in:
- Green Your Fridge & Freezer
- Fridge Door Open Too Long? Sound the Alarm!
- Top 7 Tips to Green Your Refrigerator
Just for fun: DIY Recycled Refrigerator Magnets