Cold Beer Shouldn't Cost the Earth
May 10, 2004
The Moreland Energy Foundation will today launch a report showing how old fridges can be made cheaper to run while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depleting CFC's.
The Phoenix Fridge Program is put forward as a model to recycle and distribute underused 'beer' fridges to low income households.
"The Phoenix Fridge Program is a unique opportunity to increase social equity while responding to critical environmental issues" said Esther Abram CEO of Moreland Energy Foundation. "Low income households could be $20 - $130 better off each year with a Phoenix Fridge".
The Phoenix Fridge Program aims to reduce the number of energy hungry underused fridges while providing low income households with more efficient appliances. The first stage has successfully demonstrated that old fridges can be recovered from homes with multiple appliances, and can be made more energy efficient and economical to run through low cost retrofit measures.
Example 1: Fridge #2 'Vinnie'
Measures:
Insulation fitted to the back of the cabinet and around compressor to reflect heat away keeping the cabinet as cool as possible.
Initial Energy Use: 354 kWh pa Materials Cost: $8
Final Energy Use : 295 kWh pa Savings pa.: 80kg CO2 - e, $7.14
Efficiency: 14% Payback Period: 1 year
Example 2: Fridge #7 'Crosley'
Measures:
A faulty thermostat was replaced and new compressor using propane refrigerant installed.
Initial Energy Use: 1690 kWh pa Materials Cost: $250
Final Energy Use: 562kWh pa Savings pa.:1.4 T CO2 - e, $130
Efficiency: 64% Payback Period: 2 years
Fridges are one of the largest energy using appliances in most households. Fridges account for around 15% of household greenhouse gas emissions in Australia each year, equivalent to 1.7 million cars on our roads. In addition they contain refrigerant gases which impact both the ozone layer and to climate change when leaked into the atmosphere.
Many households have two or more fridges running which adds to the energy usage. Many households have a second fridge running full time in a hot garage to keep a few beers cold. At the same time low income households who cannot afford new energy saver models often have second hand or old fridges that are expensive to run.
The next stage of the program is the development of a local pilot in conjunction with charity organisations St Vincent De Paul and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
More information
Please contact : Jim Downey
