Freezers: FAQs
Is it worth buying an energy-efficient freezer?
Cooling appliances notch up a staggering £1.2 billion in electricity bills each year. After central heating, they're the biggest domestic users of energy, because they're on all the time. So when you're ready to replace a freezer, it is worth looking for A+ or A++ rated models, which are the most energy-efficient and cheapest to run.
Are there any top freezer tips you can give me?
- Energy labels aren't always accurate, so check our test results.
- A fast-freeze feature can help retain fresh food's nutrients and texture.
- You can reduce your energy consumption and cut your electricity bills by choosing a more energy efficient freezer. But, whichever model you own, there are steps you can take to keep your energy use down.
- Allow freshly cooked foods to cool before freezing them. This stops the freezer from getting too warm. It will also help to retain the food's natural flavour, colour and texture.
- Check the temperature with a freezer – if your freezer is too cold (lower than –18°C), it will consume more energy than it needs to.
- Don't leave the door open for longer than necessary.
- Check the door seal is clean and makes good contact. A poor seal lets in warm air, pushing up running costs. Frost around the door seal may mean it's not doing its job properly.
Can I keep my freezer in the garage?
Every freezer has a 'climate class'. This tells you the range of room temperatures in which the model is designed to work.
Freezers used in temperatures above or below these limits might not work properly. For example, the freezer compartment might defrost if the room temperature becomes too low.
For this reason, appliances shouldn't be kept in unheated garages and sheds. That's the theory – in practice, plenty of people get away with it quite happily. We've tested a chest and a worktop-height freezer at -10oC and neither stopped working.
In an unheated area, it's best to use a freezer with an audible high temperature warning or a portable thermometer with an alarm to highlight problems.
However, we still think fridges are likely to conk out, so we wouldn't recommend putting them in a cold place.
Do I need to keep my freezer full to save money?
We've heard some people resort to filling up their freezers with loaves of bread or even newspaper to make sure they run efficiently.
Our advice is not to bother, as opening the door of a freezer lets in only a small amount of warm air, which doesn't take much energy to cool down. Anything that's already frozen is unlikely to warm up either. So filling the freezer up isn't likely to save you a penny.
Will my freezer damage the ozone layer?
Some freezers carry labels claiming they are 'ozone friendly', but that's not always the whole story.
Many fridges and freezers use a cooling agent (or refrigerant) called R600a, which neither affects ozone nor is a significant greenhouse gas. So far, so good.
However, others use a refrigerant called R134a. This is better for the ozone layer than CFCs (which are now banned), but it's still a greenhouse gas, so it contributes significantly to global warming.
What do I do with my old freezer?
You can get rid of an unwanted freezer through the retailer supplying your new model or through your local council.
Some retailers – such as Comet, Dixons, John Lewis and Iceland – offer this service for a £15 to £20 fee (though Iceland's service is not available for internet purchases).
Your local authority has a responsibility to offer a collection service, but it's a bit of a postcode lottery. Some councils offer free collection; others charge up to £30. If you can take the fridge to your local tip yourself, though, there should be no charge.
How do I cope with power failures?
Some household insurance policies cover the cost of replacing your freezer contents if they're spoiled by a power cut. But it's still a real nuisance (and a waste) to lose your food and go through the rigmarole of making a claim.
We simulate the effects of a power cut by pulling the plug and measuring how long it takes for the temperature inside the freezer to rise from -18°C to -9°C.
Some freezers warm up after only nine hours, but others are still cold more than 30 hours later. See the test results for details of which held out the longest.