This GE antique is back to normal after I cleaned the coil yesterdaySubmitted by novajia t3_yfy82l in BuyItForLife
leonffs t1_iu6jhar wrote
How do these old ones compare to new ones in terms of electricity costs?
Viper_NZ t1_iu6q78i wrote
They cost an enormous amount to run compared to newer fridge/freezers.
>20-year-old refrigerator could use 1,700 kWh of electricity every year, compared with about 450 kWh for a similarly sized new ENERGY STAR model. At an electrical cost of 12 cents per kWh, that represents a savings of $150 per year and a potential payback of about 7-9 years.
_bones__ t1_iu6w9ns wrote
In the Netherlands, a kWh cost 90 cents before the government price-capped it. Upgrade your appliances, folks.
Kurei_0 t1_iu8dxce wrote
Not fair to take prices during a shortage to make long term decisions.
But I agree with the conclusion, in OP's case it would be better if that thing broke or went to a museum.
_bones__ t1_iu8esrw wrote
Fair.
Our electricity price is currently linked to the gas price, which neared 4 euros ($4 these days) per m³ before the price cap (€1.45/m³). Russia sucks. Of course, there's price, but there's also the fact that lowering energy consumption is better for the environment.
Once there are order-of-magnitude improvements in efficiency, it's probably a good idea to upgrade.
Kurei_0 t1_iu8kyj0 wrote
Maybe I used the wrong word, I didn't mean "unfair" as in morally, but as in "wrong", economically and mathematically.
I'm in Europe too, so I understand the gas-electricity market relation.
My point was that when you make economical calculations you need to know what the future price will be in time. You are not buying all the electricity now at current price, it's not something you can accumulate in your house. You will be buying it in time at the market price. So you will save exactly the difference each time. If now you are saving 50 cent for each KWh, maybe 12 months from now you will save 17 cent for KWh (I'm talking about the energy price only, without grid costs etc). If you make the calculations assuming you will save 50 cent/KWh for the next [insert lifetime] years you are doing a wrong cost analysis, plain as that.
Of course this is not clear with this antique, because with our prices you would get your money back in a few months. A few years with the low American prices.
But take a 350 KWh a year fridge you are considering, and a 450 KWh a year fridge you already have. The new fridge costs 300 euros. Are you sure you will save more money upgrading to the more efficient one? (I'm simplifying and assuming the old one doesn't break) You would reach the breakeven point in 6 years with 50 cent/KWh. But if prices go from 50 to 17 (one third) in a year it'll take 1+5x3=16 years. If it goes down in 3 years it's 3+3x3=12 years, etc. That's why unfair. You are assuming prices will not go down again, as if this was the natural price. It is not, it's a crisis price. It is not about opinions, but economics. 🤷
I won't enter into the environmental analysis because in the schizophrenic society we live in imo it's silly.
_bones__ t1_iu8psv3 wrote
I meant 'fair' as in 'that's a fair thing to say'. Communication is hard.
But good calculation, more people should think about it that way.
Credible_Information t1_iu8pqwd wrote
>You are not buying all the electricity now at current price, it's not something you can accumulate in your house. You will be buying it in time at the market price.
You lost me after this but somehow I completely agree with everything you said.
Chrome-Molly t1_iu766mf wrote
good to know. i had wondered that also. but then again a new one won't last for decades and new ones cost a minimum of $800 these days.
Viper_NZ t1_iu7bqb4 wrote
It'll strongly depend on the brand. I wouldn't expect a Samsung to last longer than a few years but a Miele should last a lifetime.
F-21 t1_iu7uwky wrote
Key word is could. Really depends on what we're comparing. Fridges without an external freezer are about as efficient as a new fridge. Of course such "efficiency articles" always bash on old fridges and seem to only compare the fridges with wasteful integrated freezers. Get a separate freezer chest and it'll also be way more efficient than a modern fridge freezer.
Viper_NZ t1_iu7vqpj wrote
Might be worth plugging an old fridge into a meter and seeing how much power it uses before buying new.
FuryAutomatic t1_iu9kzfo wrote
Not justifying old technology, but they kinda never break. The over/under on repairs on modern commonly purchased refrigerators is alarming. My only source is personal experience. Bought two different “highly rated” refrigerators (LG, Whirlpool) that both malfunctioned and failed within a year. Meanwhile my garage fridge, inherited parents 1988 Amana) runs like an absolute top. Just bought a GE sidebyside 3 months ago. 🤞
Tomcat5 t1_iu77zju wrote
I have little faith in new refrigerators lasting 9 years. I am an appliance technician but I'm not refrigeration. Our fridge techs often replace 4 compressors a day in their routes. It's generally not cost effective if you're paying for it out of pocket. After a few years the warranties don't pay for labor on sealed systems, even if parts are covered.
vaxick t1_iu81dap wrote
The very basic fridges still seem to be fine, but most people will not touch those given the lack of creature comforts or designs.
easylivinb t1_iu91zl2 wrote
How long do new fridges last? Are they pretty reliable?
BoilerButtSlut t1_iu9lx18 wrote
Depends on what you're buying and how much you're willing to spend.
In general you want to spend more for fewer features to get the best quality.
chemistscholar t1_iuap92d wrote
But are they as equally bifl? I don't know how much a new fridge costs these day but that could be an important factor.
Viper_NZ t1_iuar4yk wrote
They should be as long as you buy one that’s essentially just a compressor and light in a box. Avoiding ‘smart fridge’ technology that’ll get abandoned after a few years.
jack3moto t1_iu7dfhi wrote
I don’t get this. Fridges in major cities are literally given away for free (semi used and In great condition). Why would you not upgrade your fridge to a modern one that is actually a lot more energy efficient.
My wife and I moved and we wanted a fridge for the garage, go on Facebook marketplace to have people begging for others to take their fridges off their hands. It’s a pain to throw away/dispose of so it’s easier to just offer for free if the buyer is willing to pick up. $30 uhaul rental and you’ve got a new fridge.
F-21 t1_iu7uzvn wrote
It's probably bad, but not for the fridge portion. The freezers are usually where you loose the efficiency compared to new ones.
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